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BBC3, Alaska tell Joke story

UK youth-skewing online channel BBC3 has ordered a one-off doc from local indie Alaska TV about a Scottish YouTuber who faces jail for a video he posted of his dog.

Jailed for a Joke (working title) focuses on Markus Meechan, who has been charged under the Communications Act for posting a video of him training his girlfriend’s dog to perform a Nazi salute.

The 1×60’ film was commissioned by outgoing BBC3 controller Damian Kavanagh and BBC commissioning editor Gian Quaglieni.

Meechan’s video has been viewed more than 3.7 million times on YouTube and attracted the attention of the world’s media. He is currently awaiting another court appearance and may face a custodial sentence, having been refused the right to appeal against a fine of £800.

Ian Lamarra, creative director of Alaska TV, said: “Censorship in comedy and the policing of user-published content online are fascinating and important debates. This current case has it all and, with the eyes of the world on it, the film will exclusively follow it to its conclusion. For a young BBC3 audience, it could be a vital programme.”

The doc is executive produced by Lamarra and Paul Sommers for Alaska TV.

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