by Anna Karam – mother, wife and small business owner, Goonellabah, Australia
Last night (12/10/12) I witnessed a disturbing act by a well-known television station media crew whilst attending an event by Universal Medicine (at Lennox Head Community Centre). The crew was interspersed throughout the crowd with hidden hand-held cameras whilst their leader/co-coordinator David Millikan, a claimed Uniting Church Minister and so called expert on cult groups, was introduced on stage by Serge Benhayon. David had told Serge that he was interested in the philosophy as presented by Universal Medicine for a book he was supposedly writing. His intent, he claimed, was to have the opportunity to speak to those attending to help him understand more what the philosophy is truly about. He said he had some simple questions to ask, and so he was graciously given the opportunity to do so. What occurred following this was nothing short of horrific.
Never in my life have I seen such blatant disregard and disrespect from a group of people towards another. I felt attacked, belittled and abused and I am both shocked and disappointed by this. At one point there were even men hiding on the roof waiting for us to leave the site, and I amongst others, had to be escorted to my car for safety. For me this whole situation is so ironic, for the presentation which we were attending was titled Esoteric Medicine which, in my understanding, is about exploring the underlying root ill cause of illness and disease within humanity, and whose common working is towards the care and wellness of human beings. How ironic that a group of men and women would seek out something so good-willed and honest and attempt to taint it with false accusations and lies which they then feel they have the right to air on national TV in front of thousands of the Australian public – destroying the lives and credibility of decent honest people.
At what cost to people’s lives does the media get away with such behaviour?
And why is it that no one seems to have the power to say no to what can only be described as outright harassment and bullying?
The media has got away with this for far too long!
A little humanity is called for here – I say it is time that a new legislation and regulation be placed on media activity, publication and print.
The Truth about Universal Medicine 
It seems like this “Uniting Church Minister” David Millikan felt a bit of competition to his own marginalized view of the world and felt the need to annihilate it. Pretty much as how things were done in the dark ages.
In a time of reality programs that brings us to our homes, the most exquisite examples of human misery, the ‘Millikan Show’ does not truly stand out. That reveals how much we can prepare the terrain for others to endure more garbage.
Shocking how the media act and that they expect to get away with it, it is time for the media to take responsibility for their actions.
Time for new legislation yes – and equally time for us all to say no to this kind of ‘entertainment’ by switching off our TV’s and choosing not to give it any energy.
A small exhibition of what the press is capable of when they run political agendas inspired in the idea of being morally superior to the people that are dealing with as in having ‘the right’ to do that and more.
Sometimes we have to be shocked by a serious and abusive attack on ourselves to wake up to the abuse that is rampant in the world.
I agree Anna, what is it going to take for a legislation and regulation to be put in place – only when someone dies or it is someone famous? It is ironic how we head down the garden path propped up by people in power who make about self and not about all. It is time for change.
These are obviously well trodden tactics used by sections of the media to get the story that they are after. The very interesting thing is if they had have done what was originally proposed they would have walked away understanding the philosophy in which a group of people live. However it seems that this was not the intent. It’s time that decency and respect are added to the journalists code of conduct.
Thank you Anna for a great article that was written 4 years ago and unfortunately during this time there has been no changes towards accountability in the Media. Thank goodness for websites like these that allow for the truth to be expressed and tell the facts as is without any need for sensationalism or drama.
It’s so true Anna. It is far too easy these days to totally destroy ‘the lives and credibility of decent honest people’ in just one article shared on the many media sites available to us. This is only exacerbated by the fact there is no governing bodies or formal laws enforcing a reprisal if what you share has no integrity or truth to it.
What I find interesting and yet equally disturbing…. is that whether true or not, the media has the power to create and sell any story they wish… and the victims of such stories, not only can get abused by the tactics used to get the story in the first place, but also suffer the repercussions once the story is aired…. Whilst those that produce the lies are never held to account for the harm they have caused. Surely if you cannot wield power responsibly then you should not be given it.
I agree Anna, the media have abused their position for far too long and this type of journalistic bullying and harassment needs to be halted and if that means that a new legislation and regulation needs to be put in place on media activity, publication and print, then so be it.
This is really horrific! A traumatising event for all and for what gain, I ask? Really what was the purpose? I have learnt a lot from Universal Medicine about purpose and how any of our actions can go towards truly advancing humanity or holding us back. This was clearly not an action that contributed to advancing humanity, regardless of what anyone might say to the contrary.
It is a sad day when the expense of others has value.
Responsibility and accountability by journalists and media is definitely needed in our society. Incidents such as these simply highlight the extent that some journalists will go to to sell a story, even if it means a blatant disregard for truth and a disregard for all who are affected by the spreading of these mistruths, and the techniques used which show no common decency or respect.
“A little humanity is called for here – I say it is time that a new legislation and regulation be placed on media activity, publication and print.” Here, here – and so say I Anna.
While reading this I was reminded of all those shots you see of media camera’s scrambling to get into a persons face for a close up shot, only to have a hand pushed into the camera lens. Often there it is spun as if the person has something to hide but what about the other side? why is it not questioned that to violate people by sticking a camera in their face is an act of abuse and harassment? Why have the media been allowed to just barge onto the scene in this manner or how there are reports of photographers hiding in car boots or stalking people just for a sneaky shot – how has all of this been allowed?
Well said Anna, it is time the media is held accountable for their actions. I wasn’t at the Universal Medicine presentation the evening they were attacked by the media, but by all accounts it was totally unacceptable and irresponsible behaviour by this film crew and David Millikan.
Totally agree Anna, regulation and integrity within the media is needed, this type of behaviour must not be repeated. It is time the media become accountable for what they print and air.
Thank you Anna and Jade, I agree, regulations against this type of lying intervention are needed. David Millikan was there to gain maximum reaction from the participants to back up his false premise about Universal Medicine.
It was appalling… and new legislation is absolutely required, alongside a dash of journalistic integrity and common decency. No one should ever have to experience that… ever.
The scope the media have to stalk and hound people in the public eye shocks me time and time again. There is absolutely no regard to the harm it causes with the only focus on sensationalism and money. I agree, times need to change.
Well said beverleybrown. This aggressive bullying hijack of a group of people choosing to come together to explore the root causes of illness and disease within humanity exposed very clearly the state of much of humanity and in particular a self-serving drive within much of the media. Time for change.
Very true and well said Anna.
I agree this type of behavior by media or anyone for that matter should be brought to accountability for their actions and ill intent. Absolutely there should be legislation and regulation to enforce accountability for this ridiculous behavior.
‘How ironic that a group of men and women would seek out something so good-willed and honest and attempt to taint it with false accusations and lies which they then feel they have the right to air on national TV’. Absolutely Anna and thank you for sharing your experience of that horrendous night. I totally agree that new legislation is needed to protect decent people from the machinations of a media trying to create a non existent sensational story for their ratings.
Thank you Anna! What happened that night is very revealing of the modus operandi of the so-called ‘anti-cult’ industry. Very insidious, very dishonest, very abusing, very bullying. I agree with your calling up for new legislation to uphold and protect your rights.