| Scientology and Me | |
|---|---|
 Opening title | |
| Created by | Panorama · John Sweeney |
| Presented by | Jeremy Vine · John Sweeney |
| Country of origin | United Kingdom |
| Production | |
| Editor | Damian Leask |
| Running time | 30 minutes |
| Original release | |
| Network | BBC One |
| Release | 14 May 2007 |
| Infobox instructions (only shown in preview) | |
Scientology and Me is a television documentary first broadcast on 14 May 2007 as part of the BBC's Panorama series. In it, reporter John Sweeney visited the United States to investigate whether the Church of Scientology was becoming more mainstream. The programme gained particular controversy before and during filming due to unresolved differences on content and approach between Sweeney's production team and Scientology members. Tommy Davis, the international spokesperson for Scientology, did not want the BBC to interview any detractors or perceived enemies of the church or include them in the documentary, and attempted to censor any references to Scientology as a "cult."[1][2]
The scale of the controversy intensified when the Church of Scientology released a 40-second clip of video footage showing a screaming argument between John Sweeney and Church spokesman Tommy Davis over the way in which Sweeney was interviewing critics of Scientology.[3][4] In the clip, Sweeney yells: "You were not there at the beginning of that interview! You were not there! You did not hear or record all the interview! You are quoting the second half of the interview, not the first half! You cannot assert what you're saying!" at Davis in reference to an interview Sweeney recorded with Scientology critic Shawn Lonsdale.[5] Despite the Church of Scientology's lobbying British MPs to have the documentary scrapped, its first airing went ahead on 14 May. With a peak of 4.9 million viewers in the UK, the episode garnered the highest ratings for Panorama since September the previous year.[6]
- ^ "Scientology and Me: transcript". BBC News. 11 May 2007. Retrieved 5 May 2012. – Timestamp 7:15–730. John Sweeney: "We were shown videos and tried to reach an agreement on access. He didn't want us to interview attackers, or anonymous critics, or use the word 'cult' we couldn't reach agreement."
- ^ "Scientology and Me: transcript". BBC News. 11 May 2007. Retrieved 28 May 2007. – "TOMMY DAVIS: [Church of Scientology] find it considerably obnoxious what you've done. The time that I took, came over there, spent two days with you straight, offered time and coordination and you come here and what do you spend your time with? Offer for you to see the facilities."
- ^ "Scientology and Me: transcript". BBC News. 11 May 2007. Retrieved 5 May 2012. – John Sweeney: "Then Tommy Davis launches into me yet again for the uncritical way he believes I interviewed Shawn Lonsdale back in Clearwater and I lose it big time."
- ^ "Church of Scientology cameras capture BBC reporter's rant". Houston Chronicle. 15 May 2007.
- ^ "Scientology fights back against BBC". ABC News. 17 May 2007. Retrieved 21 January 2008.
- ^ (TV ratings) The Guardian