Carte Blanche returns with 90-minute episode this week Sunday

Carte Blanche returns with 90-minute episode this week Sunday

After re-screening some of their most talked-about inserts of 2016 during the festive season,M-Net’s top-notch investigative journalism programme Carte Blanche is back in full force on Sunday (15 January) with a special 90-minute episode. Due to the high age-restriction of Deadpool, this week’s blockbuster premiere on M-Net 101, Carte Blanche will thus be on air from 19:00 until 20:30

“Viewers should take special note of this week Sunday’s M-Net 101 jam-packed, unmissable line-up,” says M-Net’s Head of Publicity, Lani Lombard. “For those who missed the Golden Globe awards, there will be a rebroadcast at 14:00. Thereafter nerves will be on edge in the penultimate episode of Spellbound at 17:00,which will see word wizards fighting it out to be in the final. Leading up to Carte Blanche and Deadpool, The Voice SA coach Lira will also shine in the electrifying music special M-Net and Friends, at 17:30. Also remember, for the convenience of viewers who don’t have PVRs, the entire M-Net 101 line-up can also be enjoyed an hour later on M-Net Plus 1, channel 901 on DStv Premium.”

This week’s stories on Carte Blanche:

Education Emergency

While government commends what is said to be the best matric pass rate in recent times, many education experts have cautioned against celebrating what some describe as one of the worst education systems in the world. Closer analysis suggests that, when the very high number of school drop-outs is taken into account, the pass rate is in fact far lower than that reported. Carte Blanche investigates the complex factors eating away at South Africa’s education system.

Producer: Esté de Klerk

Presenter: John Webb

Researcher: Chwayitisa Futshane

Who is Tracking You Online?

Are your net-surfing habits exposing your every move, from your shopping choices to travel arrangements and even your location? Every time we go online we leave a digital footprint, making us vulnerable to anyone from corporate marketing sleuths to criminals with malicious intent and even governments interested in our lives. Carte Blanche discovers how easy it is to exploit connected devices and track users’ online behaviour.

Producer: Sophia Phirippides

Presenter: Bongani Bingwa
>>Watch our trailer

Energy Future Uncertain

Today’s decisions on South Africa's future electricity supply will impact the country for generations to come. Coal, solar, wind, gas or nuclear? How much of each and at what cost? Eskom and government remain committed to a hotly contested and very expensive nuclear build program, but leading energy experts have challenged the recently announced plan. Carte Blanche examines government's energy ambitions.

Producer: Marzanne van den Berg & Anna-Maria van Niekerk

Presenter: Devi Sankaree Govender
>>Watch our trailer

Chicken Industry on a Knife Edge

The South African poultry industry is in dire crisis and thousands of workers stand to lose their jobs as local production faces collapse. Role players blame cheap chicken imports from Brazil and the United States for flooding the market, leaving local producers unable to compete. Government has intervened and is working with poultry producers to address the industry’s challenges, but is it too little too late? Carte Blanche asks if tighter import regulations and so-called ‘anti-dumping measures’ will safeguard local production?

Producer: Liz Fish

Presenter: Bongani Bingwa

Alzheimer’s: Can we Prevent it?

It’s said memory is the mother of all wisdom, a fundamental part of being human. But, the most common form of dementia—Alzheimer’s disease—accounts for up to 70 percent of cases. And, after the age of 65, the chance of getting the disease doubles every five years. There is no cure, only the prospect of the cruel and undignified descent. But mounting research suggests that Alzheimer's can be delayed and even prevented. Carte Blanche explores the lifestyle choices—from what we eat to how much we move, even how we sleep—that may affect our chances of cognitive decline in the future. Is the power to push back the disease largely in our hands?

Producer: Dr Geraldine McKenna

Do note: Carte Blanche line-ups are subject to change. Stories can be viewed at www.carteblanche.co.za.

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