8 episodes
Can I tell you a secret? The Guardian
-
- News
-
-
4.5 • 454 Ratings
-
It starts the same way... A seemingly innocent message from someone who appears to be a young woman: ‘Can I tell you a secret?’ But as this six-part podcast explores, people are rarely their true selves online – and one man took it much further. What happened when this cyberstalker wreaked havoc across the internet and ruined people’s lives. And why did he do it?Can I Tell You A Secret - a Guardian podcast series about obsession, fear, and the lives we lead online
-
The Guardian’s new investigative podcast: Can I Tell You A Secret? – trailer
It starts the same way … A seemingly innocent message from someone who appears to be a young woman: ‘Can I tell you a secret?’ But as this six-part investigative podcast explores, people are rarely their true selves online – and one man took it much further. What happened when this cyberstalker wreaked havoc across the internet and ruined people’s lives for over a decade? And why did he do it? Can I Tell You A Secret? is a Guardian podcast series about obsession, fear and the lives we lead online. Coming soon: search wherever you get your podcasts
-
Can I tell you a secret? Episode one: the beginning
Guardian journalist Sirin Kale takes us to a small town in the north of England to uncover how one man began a decade of cyberstalking
-
Can I tell you a secret? Episode two: the widening circle
As the cyberstalker spreads his net wider, anyone could be a target. The fast-changing world of social media creates new opportunities for him to find more victims. Only now, someone is watching him …
-
Can I tell you a secret? Episode three: the man upstairs
Who is Matthew? Journalist Sirin Kale looks for clues about who this cyberstalker really is and why he creates chaos and fear in so many people’s lives
-
Can I tell you a secret? Episode four: a reckoning
Matthew’s victims come face to face with him as an attempt is made to stop his torment once and for all
-
Can I tell you a secret? Episode five: a mother’s love
Journalist Sirin Kale meets Matthew’s mother to uncover more about his past, and find out what might have motivated him to cyberstalk his victims for so many years
Customer Reviews
Great but a hard listen
I found this podcast extremely interesting and a great insight into the horrendous effects of online abuse. The objectivity and different views presented were a good balance, and it helped to understand the struggles of the various parties involved. I found Episode 5, the interview with Mathew's mother, extremely uncomfortable. I felt she was victim-blaming. She did not acknowledge the psychological harm Mathew inflicted upon his victims. She downplays the consequences of Mathews's actions and behaviours because he didn't physically harm any of the women. I found it particularly hard to listen when she excused his behaviour by saying that if women put themselves out there on the internet, they should almost expect abuse. I think this is on the same level as 'She was wearing a short skirt, or she was drunk, so she deserved it...' I hope she can look back at her interview, reflect on it and see how damaging these sorts of attitudes (in general society) are to the survivors of abuse. Women's actions are never to blame for anyone choosing to harm them. The abuser is to blame for their behaviour and the consequences of their behaviour, no one else.
One of the best podcasts I have ever listened to
And I listen to a lot!
I really enjoyed the structure of this podcast I found it really clear - which a lot aren’t
Really well produced and well balanced
A fantastic piece of work
Great series really enjoyed it
Really enjoyed this series. Listened to every one. Thank you.