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Editor defends Scientology report | Editor defends Scientology report |
(1 day later) | |
The editor of the BBC's Panorama programme has defended a documentary on the Church of Scientology in which a reporter shouts at one of its members. | The editor of the BBC's Panorama programme has defended a documentary on the Church of Scientology in which a reporter shouts at one of its members. |
Reporter John Sweeney lost his temper during the filming and shouted at Scientology representative Tommy Davis. | Reporter John Sweeney lost his temper during the filming and shouted at Scientology representative Tommy Davis. |
Panorama editor Sandy Smith said he was "disappointed" by Mr Sweeney's actions. | Panorama editor Sandy Smith said he was "disappointed" by Mr Sweeney's actions. |
But he also said Scientology was an "extraordinary organisation" and had "no way of dealing with any kind of criticism at all". | But he also said Scientology was an "extraordinary organisation" and had "no way of dealing with any kind of criticism at all". |
Mr Smith said: "As you go in as a journalist to try and deal with that, it's explosive." | Mr Smith said: "As you go in as a journalist to try and deal with that, it's explosive." |
Footage of the argument between Mr Sweeney and Mr Davis was posted on internet site YouTube in advance of the television broadcast of the documentary on Monday. | Footage of the argument between Mr Sweeney and Mr Davis was posted on internet site YouTube in advance of the television broadcast of the documentary on Monday. |
I look like an exploding tomato and shout like a jet engine and every time I see it it makes me cringe John Sweeney Row over Scientology video | I look like an exploding tomato and shout like a jet engine and every time I see it it makes me cringe John Sweeney Row over Scientology video |
Mr Smith told BBC Breakfast: "Very quickly, two stag beetles were locked." | Mr Smith told BBC Breakfast: "Very quickly, two stag beetles were locked." |
He added that it was "not a question of calling [Scientology] a cult" and that the programme had not alleged that people were "brainwashed". | He added that it was "not a question of calling [Scientology] a cult" and that the programme had not alleged that people were "brainwashed". |
'Elephant trap' | 'Elephant trap' |
Mr Sweeney, writing on the BBC News website, said he had fallen into an "elephant trap" in getting into an argument. | Mr Sweeney, writing on the BBC News website, said he had fallen into an "elephant trap" in getting into an argument. |
He wrote: "If you are interested in becoming a TV journalist, it is a fine example of how not to do it. | He wrote: "If you are interested in becoming a TV journalist, it is a fine example of how not to do it. |
"I look like an exploding tomato and shout like a jet engine and every time I see it makes me cringe." | "I look like an exploding tomato and shout like a jet engine and every time I see it makes me cringe." |
THE EDITORS' BLOG Our reporter completely lost it in a way that I don't condone Sandy Smith, Panorama editor Read Sandy's view in full | |
During another argument, Mr Davis was seen telling Mr Sweeney: "I hope somebody is shooting this... You have no right whatsoever to say what is and what isn't a religion. | During another argument, Mr Davis was seen telling Mr Sweeney: "I hope somebody is shooting this... You have no right whatsoever to say what is and what isn't a religion. |
"The definition of religion is very clear and it's not defined by John Sweeney." | "The definition of religion is very clear and it's not defined by John Sweeney." |
He also told Mr Sweeney his comments about his Scientology faith were "derogatory", "offensive" and "bigoted". | He also told Mr Sweeney his comments about his Scientology faith were "derogatory", "offensive" and "bigoted". |
Mr Sweeney responded by saying: "I am a British subject, not an American citizen, and in my country we have a freedom of speech. I have a right to report that." | Mr Sweeney responded by saying: "I am a British subject, not an American citizen, and in my country we have a freedom of speech. I have a right to report that." |