Halcyon’s Heart Films examines influence of multi-billion-pound entities and the victims of disinformation

Dirty Business producer Halcyon’s Heart Films is taking on Big Tech in its latest factual drama for Channel 4.

Billionaires (w/t) explores, through the perspectives of key protagonists, multi-billion-pound tech companies and how the disinformation amplified on their platforms is severing people from the truth and undermining democracies. It will also look at what happens to the whistleblowers who try to expose these platforms.

Three-part Billionaires (w/t) is commissioned by Rita Daniels, commissioning editor, documentaries and Alisa Pomeroy, head of documentaries and factual entertainment. It is written and directed by Joseph Bullman and exec produced by Aysha Rafaele.

Pomeroy said: “At Channel 4, we are committed to telling stories that help audiences better understand the forces shaping the world around them. Billionaires is exactly that kind of project: bold, thought-provoking and deeply relevant.

“By examining the extraordinary influence of some of the world’s most powerful technology companies through compelling human stories, this drama promises to spark conversation and offer insight into a subject that affects us all.”

Bullman added: “The algorithmic corporations are corroding the mental health of our young people and taking a wrecking ball to our democracies, and there is evidence that the Tech Bros who control them have designed them to do these things.

“Like tobacco company execs before them, they claim that their products are not addictive and do no harm. Will Billionaires help deliver the Tech Bros their Big Tobacco moment?”

Daniels promised a drama that “shines a light on the human consequences of disinformation and asks urgent questions about power, accountability and truth in the digital era”.