ABSTRACT
Truthfulness is a defining characteristic of factual television. As one viewer explained, factual programmes contain ‘a completely honest sight of something happening’. When programme makers produce factual television they offer audiences the promise of real events and experiences. Although these real happenings may be produced in different ways, using various modes of production common to television broadcasting practices, it is nevertheless the case that factual television is based on the premise that something really did happen. The truth claims made within factual content are therefore a major part of audience research in the restyling of factuality.
