Communication Breakdown
Communications from the world of, er, communications. And other stuff.
Tuesday 15 May 2007, 1:45 PM
My reply to the Scientologists
So, anyone see the BBC's Panorama documentary on Scientology last night? Fascinating stuff. Really, watch it. Even if you don't have much interest in the Scientologists, it's a revealing insight into what can make a reporter crack.
Dont know what I'm on about? Then you haven't seen this YouTube clip of John Sweeney, the reporter in question, yelling his brains out at a Scientology acolyte called Tommy Davis. The Scientologists stuck it on the web as a pre-emptive strike before the Panorama piece aired, and it was certainly effective in a decontextualised kind of way the viewer had no idea why Sweeney lost it like that. Then came the Panorama piece itself ("Scientology and Me") and it became all too apparent why he cracked. Not a moment of journalistic triumph, but certainly understandable.
Why am I bringing this up here? Today I (personally) received a DVD from "Freedom Television" in the ZDNet UK post, entitled "Panorama Exposed". I haven't watched it, but the sender's address Saint Hill Manor in East Grinstead is all too telltale. It's L Ron Hubbard's old, er, manor. And still Scientology Central (the manor, I mean, not East Grinstead). I can pretty much guess the nature of the DVD's contents.
Thousands of these DVDs have clearly been sent out to journalists of all persuasions. After all, there isn't an immediate association to be made between my speciality subject wireless communications and Scientology. I would assume that it is a complete coincidence that I have, in the past, worked with John Sweeney and have an immense amount of respect for him.
His outburst was indeed a mistake which in most circumstances would be career suicide, but I think in this case he can be forgiven. Read what he has to say here on the Scientologists spying on him and his family, even at his wedding. If I had been in his position, I would probably have started yelling a lot earlier. He's a brave man, and I believe that the Scientologists' reaction to his expose speaks volumes.
UPDATE: By the way, if for some reason the show becomes unavailable through the Panorama link I posted above, it can be watched, in three parts, here, here and here. Enjoy.
PreviousComments on this post
Interestingly, the covering letter that came with the DVD doesn't mention Scientology at all. That's a typical MO - I've seen the clamheads at work under various guises, and surprisingly often they don't mention who they are, preferring to work under one of their many nommes-de-cult.
If you ever fancy a few minutes' free entertainment, just hang around outside a Xenu-botherer's haunt (or one of their pavement pitches) taking photographs. They really don't like it. As in, _really_ don't like it. Or you can pop in, take a free 'personality test', and then exhibit any knowledge whatsoever of modern cognitive science, psychology, neurology or common sense when they try and pitch you their wonderful ways to solve your problems. I lasted five minutes before being thrown out.
For more interesting information about L Ron's legacy, Operation Clambake is highly recommended. Or take a trip to Clearwater...
