by Angela Perin, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
Why is it that in a country where bullying in schools and in the workplace is not acceptable, where domestic violence and abuse are not tolerated, and where assault and rape are chargeable offences, that the media, or individuals acting on behalf of a media organisation, can be allowed to bully and abuse without the same accountability?
In a country which prides itself on free speech, why is it that a man and an organisation who simply and consistently present another way of living – a way of living that is not harming to self or others, and that supports responsibility in taking care of the body – find themselves in the middle of a witch hunt?
How is it that Serge Benhayon and Universal Medicine, and the larger student body that attend these presentations and workshops, can find themselves in a premeditated ambush and attack at one of their events? This was the case last Friday night (12th October 2012), when David Millikan and his crew attended uninvited at a Universal Medicine event, lied and betrayed the trust of Serge in order to be given an opportunity to take the stage to present to the student body attending, and then proceeded to abuse and attack the participants! How is it that the actions of the media in this instance are not made to be accountable?
It is a simple and outrageous lie to suggest that Universal Medicine is a cult – a label which has occurred as a result of a small group of hate-fuelled detractors who continue to remain anonymous, and who have elaborated a deliberate smear campaign against Universal Medicine, Serge Benhayon and his family, and the Universal Medicine student body.
It is disappointing and disheartening that David Millikan and his crew can ambush a Universal Medicine event – which has an open door policy – and set out to deliberately discredit the very organisation (Universal Medicine), which up to that point he had suggested he did NOT view as a cult. He furthermore indicated a genuine interest in reporting the unbiased truth in order to gain access to the stage at this event, only with the hidden intention of fabricating a scene to be used to support his own agenda, thereby demonstrating a violation of trust and an action which is without integrity or professionalism.
How is it that they can abuse, bully and film (without permission and including filming minors) without being accountable? Why is it in this instance, where if abuse of this nature had occurred within a domestic or workplace situation it would be a reportable offence, that here the media can ignore the same rules and guidelines that govern our society and get away with it? More so, that in the clever way they will put their footage together – which will in no way present an accurate report of the truth – but will be assembled to present a story that will be sensationalised to sell – they will not only be supported by the media organisation they represent, but encouraged?
This is simply abhorrent and unacceptable.
I thought I lived in a country where we do not need to hide to exercise free speech and where women, men and children do not live in fear of abuse and attack from outside at events that they willingly and freely choose to attend. Perhaps it seems I am wrong in this instance.
This is clearly an abuse of media power, and yet another ploy to deliberately discredit an organisation (Universal Medicine) and a group of people who have simply found another way to live; a way of living which is based on connection to self and which is about true love – a way of living that is not imposing nor judgmental of others.
Let the exploits of those individuals and media organisations that choose bullying, abuse and fabrication as their way of reporting, be exposed to bring true accountability to the media; and to allow an opportunity for a different way of reporting which acts with integrity and a responsibility to its organisation and the community it serves; one which allows the truth in their stories to be heard.
Enough is enough.