TV ghost hunting shows: a threat to the credibility of paranormal investigation?
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Here in the UK, TV-based ghost hunting really began on Hallowe’en night in 1992. The BBC broadcast a “mockumentary” called Ghostwatch which appeared to be an actual live event investigating ghosts in a residential home. It even featured a helpline which actually worked, although the first thing callers were told was that the show was not real. This programme was so scary that it became the first TV programme to cause Post Traumatic Stress Disorder in children, according to the British Medical Journal.
Years later in 2002, the UK got its very own regular ghost hunting programme which included ACTUAL live events: Most Haunted. Described as a “documentary / entertainment” programme, many complaints were made to the regulator Ofcom about theatrical effects and fakery but Most Haunted was cleared of deception of its users due to the fact it is an entertainment show. One of the cast members of Most Haunted is parapsychologist Dr Ciaran O’Keeffe, who famously ‘outed’ medium Derek Acorah by feeding disinformation on made-up ‘spirits’ during an investigation (“Rik Eedles”, an anagram of “Derek lies” and “Kreed Kafer”, an anagram of “Derek Faker”). Both of these fake spirits went on to ‘possess’ Derek Acorah during the recording of the episode.
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Most Haunted continues to attract large viewing figures but it is definitely classed as entertainment rather than genuine paranormal research. With lots of poorly lit shots with the camera never quite at the right angle, coupled with the shrieks and screaming of the crew, it’s hard to take it seriously. Added to that the fact that every single location they visit appears to be rife with spiritual activity, it’s wise to take it all with a big pinch of salt.
Two US-based shows are popular in the UK: Ghost Hunters and Paranormal State, which Ghost Hunters being my personal favourite of the two. I do admit though that I haven’t seen very many episodes of Paranormal State, so please do feel free to leave a comment below and tell me I’m wrong! My initial impression of Paranormal State is that every witness statement is taken as fact – there’s no checking for natural explanations for the various events, or even checking for evidence that the events are actually taking place. I believe in any paranormal investigation, great emphasis must be placed on ruling out EVERY possible ‘normal’ explanation before something can be described as ‘paranormal’.
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Ghost Hunters, on the other hand, is focused largely on “debunking” reported paranormal activity – i.e. attempting to find normal explanations for seemingly paranormal incidents. Despite that, they have more than their fair share of ‘evidence’ being captured, from ghostly EVPs to opening/closing doors and objects being moved. Unfortunately many of these could potentially be explained away too and you can never be sure of quite how genuine ANY TV show is. One popular ‘party trick’ in Ghost Hunters is to have a torch which has been tampered with so that it’s SUPER easy to switch on just by tapping the back (to make it easier for the spirit). My issue with that is that it’s placed on the floor, so what’s to say it isn’t vibrations from footsteps that’s turning it on? A recent live event in Ghost Hunters was particularly controversial as investigator Grant’s jacket was shown to be pulled up – looking very much like it was on a string.
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So, is TV ghost hunting a threat to the credibility of paranormal investigation? I think we have to remember that these TV shows are categorised as entertainment, not documentary. Anyone who takes part in real paranormal investigations knows that, half the time, absolutely NOTHING happens – and that wouldn’t make good TV entertainment viewing. We watch TV ghost hunting because we want to scare ourselves with sudden loud noises, unexplained activities and spooky dark buildings – if we want to watch real paranormal work with the lights ON, we’ll turn onto the documentary channels. Therefore, I don't believe that TV ghost hunting is any more of a threat to the credibility of paranormal investigation than any of the many alternative forms of entertainment (movies and books) that are also widely available - as long as the public are aware that these are for entertainment and are not documentary!
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Paranormal State is a fraud show, they rarely ever catch anything substantial, and the camera shots always focus on the investigators faces or responses, instead of attempting to locate the phenomenon. I watch Ghost Hunters religiously, and it's a great show and they have caught some great footage. Like you said I love that they focus on 'debunking' claims first, because like the dark ages, people easily misinterpret mundane things as supernatural. I'm going to follow you and check out the rest of your hubs. I have a series I started running called "Guide to Spirits". Check it out and see what you think. Great job!
I am part of a Paranormal Investigation group called UPIA at theupia.com and I have just joined in the last 2 years, but they were on a public-access TV series called Ghost Hunters before the show with Jason and Grant even existed and they were also on World's Scariest Places 4-5 times as experts on Moundsville State Penetentiary as well as other spots.
What I had to say is that they told me that when they were filming, you cannot do a reuptable ghost hunt with a camera crew following you. They said when something happened like a noise or a voice, they had to reproduce it for the camera crew because they never were at the right angle, the audio didnt pick it up, etc.
So they are a reputable group, but the evidence had to be reproduced to get it on camera for the show which leads to their statement of not being able to do a ghost hunt with a camera crew.
Ghost hunting shows often end with people who have no clue about ghosts and hauntings creating investigate ghost groups. Usually these amateurs have nothing more than flashlights, audio recorders and notebooks telling families in distress they know what they are doing, when really the have no clue what they are provoking in other people's homes. These amateurs have no knowledge or experience of these situations and are a danger to unsuspecting families and business owners out there.
'Most Haunted' has been seen as a fraudulent show for years. It's a bit of joke really every area or building has evil witches and entities and the majority of ghosts are not out to harm or frighten anyone. They either just want help in reaching the otherside or just want to be acknowledged.
As for 'Ghost Hunters' they make out that they have never used psychic mediums on their investigatons preferring the so called scientific approach. But, it is a documented fact that they have in the past and present do use psychic mediums but, don't make their viewing public aware of this.
Also 'Ghost Hunters' are always making a big deal about ghostly/phantom footsteps on wooden floors. But, as any Carpenter/Joiner can tell you wood can be easily manipulated by heat/temp and by continual usuage especially when it comes to floors and stairs. People walk on wooden floors and stairs all day, wood swells so that when it gets to night-time and no-one is walking on the floor boards, the swelling decreases and can cause noises that can sound like footsteps and creaking. It is a natural occurrence and their is nothing ghostly about it. The same type of swelling with wood is also common in doors and when the swelling decreases it can cause doors to creak and open by themselves. You would think that a group that is passing themselves off as professional would know these things?
Which goes to prove that these supposed tv paranormal investigators are not as knowledgeable as the pretend to be. So, the big question people should be asking themselves is what is the real reason these people do these shows for? The facts are that these people seem more interested in the fame and the money they are making, than trying to help with research and finding proof of the paranormal. In my personal opinion.
hi i no medium Australia and she wants to do paranormal investigation in the uk and she asked me to join her im so happy :)
That medium obviously has no clue, experience or education when she's offering amateur to go to buildings with them. I would completely not be surprised if your so called medium friend turned out to be a fraud.
Real Parapsychologists don't work with amateurs who's only knowlege comes from movies and tv shows. I mean come off it! Any reputable Parapsychology team that are truly educated and experienced in the field are not going to risk their Paranormal Research by having a bunch of unprepared amateurs running around messing up their work.
Most of the fraudulent groups ask for money for the people they take on these ghost nights. It's not about research for them it's about the fast bucks/pounds they can make.
This is a great article. From one PI to another, I agree fully. After having been on many investigations now, and waiting patiently for hours to see my K-2 light up at all, then checking to make sure it still functions due to the complete lack of activity, I have very much begun to question the legitamacy of all of the investigation programs that I once loved. If catching evidence were as easy as they portray there would be no question as to the existence of "ghosts". This is indeed damaging to those who do this on the level. Here's to keepin it real HiddenInfluences!
I started out watching Most Haunted on Travel Channel, and I found it to be interesting as far as the History aspect..As far as the paranormal portion?? Gimme a break..this Derek was a fraud from the get-go..He was always channeling something or someone...It was laughable..As for Ghost Hunters?? I was a religious watcher, and I still am...However,the pull on Grants jacket amongst other alleged faked evidence for the sole purpose of their "live event" bummed us all out...How could they fake that and still be beleivable?..And are we really supposed to beleive they still work for Roto-Rooter, as still depicted in this current season? Isn't it common knowledge these guys bought an Inn in New England? Are they putting on their Roto-Rooter uniforms and actually doing their own plumbing at this Inn? I would love to get everyone's opinion on this! I still watch Ghost Hunters, and probably always will, but I find the Roto-Rooter activity to be PARANORMAL. I would also like to hear how you feel about Ghost Adventures...
(Hub 6 / 30 for 30 Hubs in 30 Days Challenge)
sw-gm 2 years ago
I saw things like that alot,many people don't believe that,anyway really good hub