{"id":20853,"date":"2024-01-05T14:24:49","date_gmt":"2024-01-05T12:24:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.samdb.co.za\/blogs\/?p=20853"},"modified":"2024-01-05T14:24:52","modified_gmt":"2024-01-05T12:24:52","slug":"coming-up-on-carte-blanche-7-january-2024","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.samdb.co.za\/blogs\/blog\/2024\/01\/05\/coming-up-on-carte-blanche-7-january-2024\/","title":{"rendered":"Coming Up On Carte Blanche – 7 January 2024"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

\u201cOur understanding of how kidnappings play out have likely been shaped by the threats of retribution growled down a phone line by Liam Neesom; the knife-throwing, gun-toting climax ending in inevitable death for the bad guys. In what is fast becoming a global kidnapping hotspot, they tend to come to a far less dramatic conclusion. Negotiations are held, money demanded, and \u2013 generally \u2013 money paid over. Somehow, though, as Sunday\u2019s documentary shows, the real-world version is still more sinister than anything a Hollywood scriptwriter could dream up.\u201d <\/em>~ John Webb, Executive Producer<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/youtube.com\/watch?v=_C2MsD6NRDQ\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Kidnapped for Ransom<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

On a bustling Friday night in Johannesburg’s southern suburbs, the ordinary turns into a nightmare for an unsuspecting businessman. Trapped in a small room facing an ultimatum from his captors: pay up or face death.\u202fOn the other side of town, in an informal settlement, another man puts in an order for a new set of \u201ctools\u201d for his next job. Kidnappings are on the rise in South Africa, evolving into a billion-rand industry where lives become commodities. In this documentary, kidnappings for ransom are under the microscope as kidnapper, victim and hostage negotiators share some rare insight into this growing crime trend. With support from The Henry Nxumalo Foundation for Investigative Journalism, it delves into the murky world of kidnappings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Producers: Nicky Troll & Nombuso Nkosi<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/youtube.com\/watch?v=Z6vJn-ZCetY\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

I\u2019m in Love with My Chatbot<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

In the age of love and technology, customisable AI chatbot avatars are skyrocketing in popularity, pushing the boundaries of intimacy and dialogue. In Belgium, Anissia is in the middle of gender transition and, using a chatbot app for the past year, they\u2019ve made a connection with their chatbot friend Atara. One woman describes her online companion as \u201cher friend and lover\u201d, and they\u2019re not alone. Millions of users regularly use the same app, sharing in forums their experiences and photos of their virtual friends. But as the tech improves and it becomes harder to detect real people from AI, abuse is rife and security flaws are having chilling consequences. One man was encouraged to commit suicide by his chatbot. This story investigates whether developers can control their chatbots, and if they could develop a \u201cmind\u201d of their own.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Producer: RTS<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

NEW YEAR, NEW STORIES<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\nhttps:\/\/youtube.com\/watch?v=9XakeimvK5E\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Dezemba is Over<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Macfarlane Moleli reminds us that the December party is officially over. But Carte Blanche enters the new year determined to continue holding those in power to account.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A Message From Mac<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/youtube.com\/watch?v=iY-_nunmC40\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

You Made It!<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

There\u2019s no denying it: 2023 was a rough year for most of us. Erin Bates lifts a glass to you for making it and wishes you all a wonderful 2024.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A Message From Erin<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

PICKS OF THE WEEK<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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