Controversy Erupts as BBC Battles Scientology

May 17, 2007 — -- What happens when the BBC, one of the most respected news organizations in the world, takes on The Church of Scientology, one of the most controversial religious organizations in the world? Multimedia mayhem.

Scientology is not only contentious, it's also a pillar of pop culture. A church founded by a science fiction writer, whose poster boy is actor Tom Cruise.

The battle between Scientology and the BBC began with an investigative journalist who was trying to pry open what he says is a secretive, religious organization, and now it's playing out on TV and YouTube. That's right, YouTube. Even before the BBC broadcast its documentary on "Panorama," Scientologists posted an infamous clip online.

In the clip, John Sweeney, a reporter for the BBC, engages in a screaming argument with Tommy Davis, a Scientology spokesman.

"No, Tommy, you stand down! No, listen to me! You were not there for the beginning of the interview! You were not there! You did not hear or record all the interview! Do you understand?"

And in this modern media echo chamber, the controversy over that clip made it onto the BBC as well, again before the documentary had aired.

The reporter was angry at accusations from a church spokesman that he had gone soft on a Scientology critic. But in the full clip, as broadcast later on "Panorama," he isn't the only one shouting.

"You're accusing members of my religion of engaging in brainwashing," screams an angry Davis.

Let's be clear, this is not a David and Goliath story. It's more like a celebrity death match. The stodgy vs. the slick. Sweeney, the stodgy guy who loses his cool, is an investigative journalist. He's a classic "Gotcha" reporter who clearly knows all the tricks of the trade.

The slick guy is Davis, son of actress Ann Archer and a spokesman for Scientology. He is a true believer and a dogged defender of his faith.

To be fair, Scientology has never taken criticism lightly.

"I don't know that Scientology lends itself to the press," said David Miscavige, the top Scientologist, in a 1992 interview with Ted Koppel on "Nightline."