Up: Martin Poulter > Scientology Criticism > UK Media Archive
Carlton Pays Damages For Big Story
Broadcast, 7 March 1997 page 5
Carlton Television and Twenty Twenty Television have issued an apology and paid £10,000 in damages and costs to Church of Scientology member Melanie Spires over an episode of current affairs strand The Big Story, writes Claire Handley.
Broadcast on 28 November 1996, the programme screened footage of Spires at the same time as making allegations about another member of the church's Poole Mission.
The two sides have fought a bitter battle over the programme and the Scientologists will try to use Spires' libel win to bolster a 'large and comprehensive complaint' it is planning to submit to the Independent Television Commission.
A Carlton spokesman said, however: 'We have admitted our error but it doesn't detract from the main thrust of the programme.'.
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