The Activist: ‘tone-deaf’ new TV show has activists compete to lobby G20 leaders

CBS programme has caused a social media storm for its crass choice of format and ill-qualified judging panel

Producers have billed it as an exciting new twist on reality television: an X-Factor style competition between campaigners that will give them the chance to lobby world leaders at the G20.

But The Activist, a show announced last week by the American network CBS, has already learned to its cost that people power can be unpredictable, ruthless and highly effective.