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| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Editor defends Scientology report | Editor defends Scientology report |
| (about 2 hours 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 that: "As you go in as a journalist to try and deal with that, it's explosive." | Mr Smith said that: "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 | |
| 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 it a cult" and that the programme had not alleged that people were "brainwashed". | He added that it was "not a question of calling it a cult" and that the programme had not alleged that people were "brainwashed". |
| 'Elephant trap' | |
| 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. | |
| "I look like an exploding tomato and shout like a jet engine and every time I see it makes me cringe." | |
| During the argument Mr Davis was also 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 later 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 later 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." |