When Jane Hansen of the Sunday Telegraph approached Serge Benhayon seeking information about ‘complaints’ made to government authorities that at the time he had no notice of and preliminary inquiries suggested that they had not yet been processed by the respective government bodies, Serge Benhayon could not help but feel there was a sense of déjà vu – he had been here before.
What emerged in the current round of complaints was that they were actually about a charity – the College of Universal Medicine, and Serge Benhayon was not even the appropriate person to be contacted, as he does not ‘run’ the charity and is not even on the current Board of Directors.
Journalist Jane Hansen, in what would appear to be an intentional attempt to ambush her target, did not mention that the complaints were about the College. All Jane Hansen mentioned was ‘complaints’ of uncertain origin, uncertain content and a series of questions that revealed her agenda, which was to write a story based on false information derived from dubious sources that would be given authenticity by the existence of these spurious ‘complaints’.
This initial impression proved to be correct – what was revealed on publication was that the complaint itself, the feature of her article, in fact originated from her dubious sources who were featured in her articles that were full of inaccuracies and outright false statements about Serge Benhayon, Universal Medicine and the College of Universal Medicine. In case we consider that this is a one off event, let us turn back the clock two years ago to examine the conduct of the Australian media and the style of reporting that Jane Hansen has appeared to have modelled her career on.
Journalists and Universal Medicine
In 2012, a handful of journalists engaged in widespread sensationalist reporting on Universal Medicine on the basis of false allegations from an organised group in the local Northern New South Wales community. We are now well acquainted with this group led by Lance Martin cyber-bully and promulgator of lies about Serge Benhayon and Universal Medicine.
Lance Martin – The Man Behind the “Universal Medicine Cult” Story
The journalists in question did not adequately vet their sources, they adopted wholesale the story spun to them by Lance Martin, who, had they chosen to properly investigate would have been identified as a disaffected individual seeking revenge for imagined wrongs and a small disaffected group he had gathered around himself. Lance Martin and this small group clearly had a personal agenda to use the media as a part of their campaign to muddy the name of Universal Medicine. In short, the journalists were used and they in turn used the dubious sources.
The source of the lies the journalists spread
Lance Martin had planned an orchestrated campaign against Universal Medicine with its genesis on an online hate-site, the Rick Ross forum (now called the Cult Education Institute). The Rick Ross forum was founded by a twice-convicted felon, Rick Ross, who runs a lucrative business as a cult ‘deprogrammer’ with no apparent qualifications to administer such ‘treatments’. The site is a breeding ground for hatred and misinformation, where labelling an organisation as a ‘cult’ appears to justify bigotry of every kind. The site rules deny a right of reply to organisations that are named on the site as a cult and no discussion is allowed on the site beyond a negative viewpoint. As long as one condemns and attacks others that have been labelled a ‘cult’, one is free to post as much hate-speech as they like. Contrary information is not permitted and if attempted is labelled as ‘information control’. The site advises on lines of attack to deal with ‘named’ groups and is an active resource for anti-cult information.
It is on this forum (of a twice convicted felon) that the predominantly Northern New South Wales cyber-group congregated, discovering the tactics of the anti-cult movement, developing a story to fit their agenda and ultimately orchestrating their media assault. It is interesting that none of the journalists looked behind their sources to find out what in fact was the agenda.
At the demise of his marriage in April 2012 Lance Martin had sought out company on the Rick Ross anti-cult forum, posting under the pseudonym ‘Concerned Partner’ and discovering a small handful of others who, like him, felt aggrieved by the simple fact that their partners had wanted something more than what they were being offered in their relationships. Something that of itself is not unusual. However, the Rick Ross forum provides more than the company of other unhappy people, it advises on how to publicly target groups and cause as much harm to the target as possible, indeed it could be accused of showing people how to cause malicious damage to those they have simply taken offence to. Lance Martin, seeking to gain traction in his campaign against Universal Medicine (and perhaps win his wife back) developed a story that fit the agenda of the Rick Ross forum and allowed him to court the media with. A story about his failed marriage alone would not have brought any press interest, the demise of a marriage is all too common, however, it was cunningly transformed into a salacious ‘cult’ conspiracy story, with Lance Martin at the centre of this false narrative as the helpless victim of an evil cult that had taken over his wife’s life.
This ‘anti-cult’ narrative was carefully manufactured to give the necessary journalistic ‘angle’. It mattered not that Lance Martin’s relationship had a very rocky 16-year history, or that his wife had given him plenty of reasons why the marriage was over, he pursued his aim of exacting revenge for his wife’s departure by a calculated use of the anti-cult narrative.
Some who aligned with him have also ignored the fact that their partners departed for various reasons, including alcoholism, different kinds of abuse or long-term dissatisfaction amongst other things, and opted to avoid looking at their own part in their marriage failures. The crusade involved courting the media in a carefully orchestrated campaign that was prepared and publicised on the Rick Ross forum – indeed the forum prepared its contributors to do just that.
Lance Martin and his handful of followers were met with an obliging media who led with headlines containing the words ‘Universal Medicine cult’. What should have been considered as merely allegations that needed to be investigated (but were not) were reported as facts and the journalists in question gave this hate group an open forum on their pages – apparently ignoring the Australian Press Council code’s requirement for fair and balanced reporting. Why would this be the case? It can only be assumed that the press ‘do not let truth get in the way of a good story’.
The media in Australia have always been a willing participant in the reporting of cult atrocity tales. These stories garner the public interest since they are often salacious and allow the sociological process of bringing an audience to a story that involves conflict, and by presenting beliefs that appear strange so that the audience can feel unified in their orthodoxy. In simple terms, stories about a divorce are very, very uninteresting (unless they involve celebrity) and ‘cult’ stories are good copy. It appears to matter not that the term ‘cult’ did not apply to the organisation that they targeted – it was enough that a handful of people had asserted that Universal Medicine was one. In this sense the journalists played right into the hands of a group seeking to exact revenge, they failed to engage and consider that there might be more to the story than what they were told.
Jane Hansen – The Daily Telegraph
The press themselves have been complicit in the abuse of Universal Medicine as they have actively ignored information provided to them by Universal Medicine and highly regarded professionals prior to writing and publishing their articles. It seems to be business as usual for the media – as in the most recent reporting that was supposedly a report on Universal Medicine, Serge Benhayon as well as the College of Universal Medicine, reporter Jane Hansen reported all manner of material without checking the veracity of her sources, or seeking balanced comments for much of what she presented. The editor of her paper was warned prior to publication that the material from her sources was highly inflammatory and likely to be full of lies, yet did nothing. Indeed the publication went ahead full of false statements when the facts were freely available on this website. Again, we have to observe that Jane Hansen (and the editor of the Sunday Telegraph) would not let facts get in the way of a story.
The vengeful Lance Martin and his followers, well seasoned by the anti-cult rhetoric of the Rick Ross forum, fed the journalists a carefully constructed story of a ‘dangerous cult’ with a charismatic leader who broke up families, engaged in financial exploitation and Medicare fraud and accused Universal Medicine practitioners of advising clients to not seek medical advice. Since there were absolutely NO FACTS to back up any one of the allegations and indeed some of the accusations were so bizarre that it seems strange that none of the journalists took pause to consider the veracity of their sources. If they had paused they would have identified a small group of disgruntled men and women with marital problems. Anna Douglass, reflecting upon Lance Martin’s creation of the media attacks observed that it was:
‘… interesting to note, there was no media interest in Universal Medicine, and not one complaint ever lodged with any Government departments until my marriage broke down. Lance has been consistent and relentless at getting any sort of attention and smearing Universal Medicine, he will go to extraordinary lengths, and will distort the truth to achieve this. If Lance had put the same commitment, energy and time used for his hate campaign into our marriage, I have no doubt that our relationship would be in a very different place…’
What the journalists published in 2012 was no more than opinion of these disaffected few mixed with hearsay and fabrication. It appears that Jane Hansen has followed this trend in 2014. This is irresponsible journalism and directly opposed to the basic standards as set by the Australian Press Council (APC).
Though all the journalists involved should be reprimanded for their conduct, the first journalist off the mark – who set the trend by showing a blatant disregard for any of the actual facts that were at his disposal, as well as any shred of journalistic integrity – was Byron Kaye of the Medical Observer.
Byron Kaye – Medical Observer
Byron Kaye concocted a media story by committing the deeply disturbing act of personally lodging complaints with regulatory agencies, going on to represent and report on them as if they had been lodged by third parties. In this sense there was no story to report, only one of his own making. It is perhaps pertinent that Byron Kaye’s first love appears to be acting, film and theatre, as he is a regular contributor in the role of director in the Sydney theatre scene, and has even written his own script for a disappointing film that he produced. His creative flair for creating a story is obviously a transferable skill and he used this to great effect in concocting his ‘complaints’ angle for his Universal Medicine stories.
Byron Kaye is clearly compromised by his ‘salting the mine’ style journalism. Another hackneyed tactic he used was to solicit comments from his ‘go to expert’ Professor John Dwyer (of the Friends of Science in Medicine and the Australian Skeptics Inc, and always a reliable source wherever a critical commentary against complementary therapies is required) who Kaye relied upon to generate a slew of unsubstantiated claims about Universal Medicine, that in the light of the real facts end up appearing like arrant nonsense.
The overview of this is that with respect to Byron Kaye’s series of nine articles on Universal Medicine, which ran in the Medical Observer from mid to late 2012, Kaye was complicit in lodging complaints to at least two regulatory bodies. All to further fuel what was essentially a spurious thread of low journalism devoid of fairness, balance and critically, truth.
Throughout his series Byron Kaye made repeated reference to the complaints to the Health Care Complaints Commission (HCCC) and one referred from the HCCC to the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) due to it being outside the HCCC jurisdiction. These were clearly done to bolster his ‘myth’ of a dangerous cult medical group.
He never reported that he was in fact the author of the complaint to the HCCC that was referred to AHPRA, preferring instead to imply others made the complaints and oddly, he never reported that the HCCC and AHPRA dismissed all complaints with no findings of any wrongdoing.
In his early articles this wannabe ‘serious’ journalist, Kaye, referred to three complaints made to the HCCC, however it appears that there were only two in existence at the time. One lodged it appears by himself, the other lodged only the day before his first article was published. What is more, in his reporting, the complaints did not correlate with the material that he suggested was contained in them and indeed raised none of the health concerns Kaye alleged in his reports, containing predominantly vague statements about Universal Medicine being a cult organisation.
The details of these two complaints are instructive in themselves, indicating a disregard of an appropriate use of the complaints procedures, since those processes should be used for real complaints of substance. If the content (and genesis) of these complaints is considered it becomes evident that they are lacking in this fundamental aspect:
- The first complaint of 12 July 2012 was a general complaint about Esoteric Chakra- puncture, Esoteric Psychology and claims that naturopathic advice was being given by persons not qualified to do so – there was no complaint about a specific practitioner or person and the name of the complainant was withheld. This complaint fell outside the jurisdiction of the HCCC since it related to claims of unqualified persons holding out to be qualified and it was referred to AHPRA as the relevant body to deal with such complaints. It was then of course reported by Kaye that Universal Medicine was being investigated by AHPRA, ultimately this complaint was dismissed, but this pertinent fact went unreported. Another pertinent detail that was omitted from Kaye’s report was that he had made the complaint! The Medical Observer some months later reported that Kaye’s nine articles on Universal Medicine had led to 3 regulatory enquiries and it became evident that the complaint made to the HCCC on 12 July 2012 was made by Byron Kaye himself.
- The second complaint lodged on 15 July 2012 was lodged anonymously and made no actual claims of wrongdoing only vague references to Universal Medicine being a cult. The complaint was dismissed due to its lack of substance.
That they were reported as ‘news’ and to bolster a story is reprehensible. Is it really permissible journalism to manufacture complaints to write a story?
Kaye also made much about false claims being made about cancer prevention, however, prior to Kaye’s publications there were no complaints lodged with the HCCC that referenced Serge Benhayon making any claims about preventing cancer, though Kaye plays this ‘angle’ up repeatedly – as with Kaye’s whole series for the Medical Observer the facts were surplus to requirements.
What we can observe is that Kaye made at least one complaint to the HCCC and could then report that a complaint was under review thus adding credibility to his story of potential wrongdoing by Serge Benhayon and Universal Medicine. The complaint was referred on to AHPRA, thus he then was also able to report that Universal Medicine had to answer to AHPRA. He never once reported that no wrongdoing was found and AHPRA dismissed the complaint on 15 October 2012. What is more, given that all complaints were dismissed, except for a minor change to some wording on the Universal Medicine website to follow TGA guidelines, the suggestion that Kaye had been responsible for three regulatory inquiries is ridiculous.
Want to support or manufacture a story? Lodge a complaint with a regulatory body and then write about ‘complaints against’ as if they were from individuals at their own behest. Create your own ‘news’ and save putting in any real effort to discern the truth.
This deeply unethical approach should elicit concerns about the appropriate use of avenues of complaint. Is it possible that there is a laxity and that it is exploited by those with an axe to grind to fabricate complaints and then solicit journalists to report them as news? Or collude with journalists from the beginning?
It strongly appears that this may be the case with the latest ‘reported’ complaint against the College of Universal Medicine with the Office of Liquor and Gaming, about which little is known, but the journalist Jane Hansen apparently had all the facts of the complaint at her fingertips even before the complaint was lodged. She had been given the complaint by Shadow Minister for Health Dr Andrew McDonald and had made calls to the OLG even before they had an opportunity to process it. It was clear that Jane Hansen would be leading with an article with a ‘Complaint Against UM’ style headline. She did not disappoint.
Jane Hansen of the Sunday Telegraph led with ‘New-age ‘esoteric’ breast and ovary massage healer under investigation over alleged charity law violations’. It mattered not that the ‘investigation’ had nothing to do with the ‘healer’ referred to, it mattered not that the investigation was initiated by Lance Martin, the revenge driven cyber-bully who had been harassing his targets – Serge Benhayon, Universal Medicine, and any others who he considered were related to those organisations – for over two years and along with others was becoming a serial vexatious complainant. None of this was considered by Jane Hansen in her ‘reporting’. Real investigative journalism? – Not a shred.
Jane Hansen has it seems, borrowed skills from the Byron Kaye style of journalism, at least in the sense that she had no interest in the veracity of the complaint or the malicious intent of the complainant, preferring to go with the story that had been manufactured by them. Perhaps this conduct is simply a common practice amongst seasoned journalists who would not let facts get in the way of a good story.
Byron Kaye, obviously buoyed by his initial success in deceit followed up his APHRA investigation story, refining and honing his skills on exploiting his own complaints and orchestrations to create a story, by repeating the process with the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA). Kaye wrote a series of three articles on the TGA’s ‘investigation’ of UM’s products. What is extra-ordinary is that he initiated the complaint and then inferred that TGA was ‘accusing’ Universal Medicine of wrongdoing. In his article of 23 July 2012, ‘TGA’s Urgent Universal Inquiry’, Kaye opened with the ominous:
The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has accused controversial alternative medicine group Universal Medicine of selling unregistered remedies and launched an urgent investigation into the products ‘to protect the public’.
He followed on 8 August 2012 with ’Universal Strips website following TGA investigation’, the headline inherently implied wrongdoing by Universal Medicine and the Medical Observer was patted on the back for alerting the TGA to the ‘spuriousness’ of Universal Medicine’s products. The articles inferred that there were dangerous products – though there were none. What actually occurred – in contrast to the beefed up ‘strips website’ – was that upon Kaye alerting Universal Medicine to the TGA media statement that they were conducting an ‘urgent investigation’ into Universal Medicine’s products, a Universal Medicine representative called the TGA who actually said there was no investigation. Alerted to the possibility of a potential issue Universal Medicine offered its products for review.
There never was a TGA investigation as such, and strikingly it took several days before Kaye’s complaint made it to the investigations unit, who by that time were already reviewing Universal Medicine products upon Universal Medicine’s request. The TGA review process took only a few days, no products were found to be defective and there was no request to remove any Universal Medicine products from sale. The TGA actually wrote to Universal Medicine congratulating the organisation on being so pro-active. No products or their packaging were found to be defective with only minor changes being made to wording on the Universal Medicine website.
This did not stop Byron Kaye of the Medical Observer from falsely claiming on 19 November 2012:
‘The TGA investigation stopped Universal Medicine selling certain alternative products on its website, while the AHPRA investigation is ongoing.’
The TGA never stopped Universal Medicine from selling any of its products anywhere and there had never been an ‘investigation’, merely a small review. The AHPRA ‘investigation’ into Kaye’s own complaint had been finalised a month earlier with no findings of wrongdoing. In other words the write up was completely false.
Thus, if there is no news then make some – a bogus complaint to the government provides the basis of a news lead and then it becomes about continuing the existing narrative from the first bogus article – it is formulaic and an indictment on Kaye’s professionalism.
So what controversial story did Byron Kaye expose in relation to Universal Medicine? Behind the lies and scurrilous journalism there was no story. What did Kaye really reveal? There were some unhappy husbands, there was a group that had been called a ‘cult’ by the aforesaid unhappy husbands, that someone being treated by an allied health practitioner had been later diagnosed with cancer (given that medical specialists diagnose cancer, not physiotherapists, there was no story), and that products had been sold that needed very minor adjustments to their online advertising.
There were the trumped up complaints reported as news, that notably when they were dismissed were not referred to again or mentioned to clear matters up. No, by then the lies had served their purpose.
What Byron Kaye did not consider, nor the journalists that followed, with Jane Hansen showing no more aptitude for her craft than those before her, is that those who provide you with information may not have the best of motives. Lance Martin has made the very public threats to destroy Serge Benhayon and his family, stating on one such occasion, “bringing you down is a commitment and it will happen” and, “Friendly reminder for Serge and family. We’re still here, and we’re a little less vocal because the effort is being put into making sure you are out of business ASAP.’
Lance Martin Bangalow
Martin’s ill intent would have been apparent to anyone who even scratched the surface, but this factor was left unreported by Byron Kaye, any other journalists who picked up Martin’s concocted stories and now in 2014, Jane Hansen has followed this path. Surely the motivation of your sources that clearly furnishes their opinions and more importantly, their capacity for honesty is a relevant detail in a newspaper story?
As Anna Douglass has commented:
‘Jane Hansen did not contact me at all to cross-check any of the facts, rather she took the word of my ex-husband Lance Martin as being fact, a deeply hurt man on a revengeful, hate campaign towards Universal Medicine for over 2 years now. I can tell you Lance has concocted many stories and makes unfounded allegations … about Serge Benhayon. This is all because he is devastated by the breakdown of his marriage and is seeking revenge.’
The string of media articles that commenced with Kaye’s articles also invoked serious questioning of the methods and ethics of two of the other (main) print journalists involved, Heath Aston (Sydney Morning Herald) and Josh Robertson (Courier Mail). Both these ‘professional journalists’ actively ignored the wealth of factual information that was provided to them by students of Universal Medicine (including highly qualified health practitioners) prior to writing their articles, preferring their sources led by an obviously malicious man, Lance Martin, bent on ‘seeking revenge.’
Jane Hansen reporter and using complaints procedures to make a story
Jane Hansen reported in her Sunday Telegraph articles that it was Lance Martin who was the complainant to Fair Trading and the Office of Liquor and Gaming – we rely upon the newspaper report since the College of Universal Medicine has to date not received notification of the complaint.
We knew from experience that Ms Hansen would report on the complaint – the contents of the complaint being reported as truth – as if complaining about something somehow turns the contents from a lie to a fact. Like Byron Kaye before her she is perhaps becoming the pawn for others carrying out their hate filled agenda, but she becomes so because she cannot resist the lure of a good story, however false that ‘good’ story is.
Unlike Byron Kaye she has not manufactured her own complaints for a story, but she has been complicit in using someone else’s manufactured complaint. It also does appear more than a co-incidence that Ms Hansen began following Venus Darkly and Esther Rockett on Twitter on 5 June and was supplied with the complaint created by Lance Martin, a few days later by a politician offering her a potential story line. It is just as possible that Esther Rockett and Lance Martin had already ‘sold’ her their false concoction of lies and innuendo, so the story was, as they say, already written.
Like Esther Rockett who has made at least ten baseless complaints (and counting) to the HCCC and public authorities about Serge Benhayon and Universal Medicine and associated persons, Lance Martin has, according to his own publicity, made extensive complaints to the ATO, ASIC and ACCC about Serge Benhayon and Universal Medicine. These false complaints obviously came to nothing, since there has been no wrongdoing, except in Lance Martin’s vicious imagination, and furthermore much time has elapsed and nothing has been heard from those authorities.
He has now added his latest offerings to the Department of Fair Trading and the Office of Gaming and Liquor about the College of Universal Medicine to his litany of other fabricated complaints. All previous complaints have been empty of any substance – and we suggest the content of those complaints were simply creations of Lance Martin’s maligned and malicious imagination. We suggest that his latest offerings to the Office of Liquor and Gaming and the Department of Fair Trading will hold no more substance than the former. They most likely will represent an irresponsible waste of public resources.
Ms Hansen should perhaps take note that to report a complaint before it can be made known to the target of the complaint suggests that she was using the complaint to give her story credibility where there was none. This has been the strategy of Esther Rockett, as if a ‘complaint’ earned her lies credibility. However, a lie remains a lie no matter who it is said to or however many times it is told.
When the latest complaints by Lance Martin are found to have no foundation, like all others initiated by himself and Esther Rockett, will Jane Hansen seek to remedy her false reporting with a full and appropriate retraction? Unlikely, since it remains part of her planned hatchet job. Her newspaper, the Sunday Telegraph appears complicit in her fabrications, since the newspaper has not responded to communications seeking corrections and retractions for the multitude of errors and false statements that comprised Jane Hansen’s substandard offering.
So we again observe journalism sinking to its apparently usual low. Is the kudos and accolades that you get a scoop on a story really worth selling out your integrity to print lies and distortions? Especially as there was really no new ‘news’, it was the same unsubstantiated accusations that had been reported two years earlier, repeated yet again by another journalist desperate, it seems, for a story. Is it fair and balanced journalism to report your source’s stories with no reference to their hate-filled agendas? Or is it a deceit upon your readers by omission? Is there any sense of decency left in journalism, Ms Hansen?
The genesis of Jane Hansen’s unscrupulous Sunday Telegraph story and her ‘angle’ are obvious, as she has been following Esther Rockett and Esther’s alter-ego, Venus Darkly on twitter. Indeed it appears that Jane Hansen was not hiding her affiliation with Esther Rockett. When approached by an independent person, who had met her in relation to another news story, to suggest that she might look at the Universal Medicine Facts site to be apprised of the facts, she was told by Jane Hansen that she at least knew of it, but it was made clear that Ms. Hansen had no interest in considering there might be another side to the story. How is that fulfilling the requirements of fair and balanced reporting, as required by the Australian Press Council? It is evident that in spite of clear and cogent evidence Jane Hansen has chosen to take sides on the facts. Is that responsible journalism? We have to ask, what credibility can a journalist have who relies upon the lies of a revenge driven man and exposed cyber-bully and internet troll? The lies Lance Martin and Esther Rockett have promulgated are extraordinary. What is perhaps more extraordinary is that a journalist, of what appeared to be a sound background, has listened to them!
Further Reading
Jane Hansen’s Revenge Trail turns to Universal Medicine Facts Team
Somewhere in a galaxy far far away… Jane Hansen might find her integrity
Jane Hansen – A seasoned journalist with a murky past
Lance Martin – another failed complaint from the ‘Heart of Darkness’
Serial complainant Lance Martin now targets the College of Universal Medicine
Jane Hansen Journalist and the Internet Troll: whatever happened to fair and balanced reporting?
Veteran Journalist Appears to have been Conned by Anti-Universal Medicine Spin
Comments on this blog are now closed
The lack of integrity and professionalism by the journalists featured here, Byron Kaye and Jane Hansen, is shocking.
Many people say ‘you can’t believe what you read in the papers’ and here are some of the reasons why as demonstrated by this article on Byron Kaye and Jane Hansen.
It would seem that the lure of sensationalism and a ‘good story’ overrides any desire to get to the truth and the true facts and the principles of sound journalism are thrown out the window. No journalist has yet conducted a balanced investigation regarding Universal Medicine – all have come with a pre-loaded agenda that was sparked off by those with a personal vendetta.
To see the clear expose of how Byron Kaye submitted complaints he then reported on, displays a profound lack of regard for his profession never mind those he is reporting on. There is no concern for the ill-effect of reporting lies and dressing them up as fact. Reporting on complaints that one has submitted to get a story – is just a whole new level of low and confirms the corrupt nature of some aspects of the media. The problem is that good journalists who are ethical and who work with integrity then get tarred with the same brush as those concocting lies and stories to suit their agenda.
It always amazes me how the words of a few who are conducting a hate campaign and who are intent on bringing down Universal Medicine are given credence over hundreds and hundreds of people worldwide who continue to experience the many benefits of attending Universal Medicine presentations and who have in-depth and many years experience of Serge Benhayon and his family. Like – come on guys – WAKE UP!!
It is extraordinary that in Australia we have such a numb complacency to the integrity of journalism. We expect the media to be scrupulous in their attempts to sell papers etc, but at the same time get drawn in by the drama of a fabricated story. Imagine if we lived in a household with someone who told lies constantly to benefit their own agenda? We would not stand for it. But within society we just put up with our media being corrupted and self gratifying? Would anyone give the school yard bully a megaphone to disseminate their abuse? NO! Come on, Australian Media -kick out the abusers of the system. Ask for more decency and skill amongst your associates.
The rot has really set in when journalists can sink so low to sell a story – relying on one sided reporting, lies and cyberbullies for “facts”. And if there is no story, well lets just make one up and add fuel to it by making false complaints to regulatory bodies and rehashing the same lies over and over without fair and balance reporting or checking their sources. Incredible.
Exposing the underlying reasons for why ‘stories’ appear in the media and who gets targeted is a really interesting thing to consider and perhaps we as readers and consumers of media give little to no time wondering where these stories come from. As usual Alison Greig you have been able to expose this so that we as consumers of media are more able to discern for ourselves why certain stories appear in the media. Often there is more to these ‘stories’ than meets they eye and this is what this series of articles has brought forward. Thank you.
This is an extraordinary forensic expose of Byron Kaye, the original journalist who ‘broke’ the Universal Medicine story. Yet what is more extraordinary is how other journalists merely followed the original storyline.
The complete media campaign has been based on bias…yet has one journalist paused to consider that this is all a beat-up?
The journalists have been played and reeled in hook, line and sinker. Will they continue to do so? Is there a journalist with genuine integrity who is prepared to admit that he or she was wrong and present the truth?
It’s amazing how ignorant I have been of the depths some journalist will go to. I have obviously been hiding in some ideal world where basic integrity and professionalism would prevent such a self promoting, malicious and basely approach to their craft.
I am astounded that the craft of journalism has become so scurrilous and ‘self’ driven. It appears the facts do get in the way of a good story and all this from the small kernel that is anger and deep sadness of one man. Amazing isn’t it that the need to get ones names repeatedly in headlines – I speak of the journo’s here – has that effect of satisfying that they fulfil their role – aiding and supporting society with their version of the facts.
Making up stories and being complicit in falsifying ‘evidence’ to support such untruths is truly revealing. Society is held to ransom by the media – we have had such stories continuously fed to us that we no longer discern and make a stand by refusing to buy or read this rubbish.
We as a society are then complicit in the continuing of this unbalanced reportage on life by not demanding truth.
Byron Kaye, Heath Aston and Josh Robertson laid and acted upon a foundation of lies and it appears the well worn path once again gets trod by Jane Hansen.
Seeking a spotlight perhaps?
A moment in the public eye to lift a waning career?
It is discouraging for the future of our press, no longer is there trust. Is what is reported on fact based and a balanced report so that one can make their own observations? It appears in this instance that the true facts about Universal Medicine are a hindrance to another’s own personal agenda and vitriol.
Yesterday I went to the Cyber-Bullying Conference held by the College of Universal Medicine. It was an amazing morning. The forum started to address this HUGE issue within society. Together we begun to develop strategies and explore the power we have within ourselves and as a community to both stop abuse and build true relationships. Youths from 2 local schools attended. They shared with the group how widespread and damaging cyber-bullying has become and continues to be for them personally, with their friends and school peers.They loved the forum and felt so supported and inspired that there was a way to deal with this issue at last. One of the schools offered to host the next conference at their premises and are looking to invite the whole school community. My question to the journalists is, why weren’t they at this event reporting on what the College of Universal Medicine is actually offering the community? So to write a story that would support the local community and humanity at large, instead of writing lies and nonsense and thus supporting cyber–bullying. What sort of message are these journalists giving the youth of today? It is ABSOLUTELY DISGRACEFUL that they are aiding, abetting and adding to something that is so deeply harming.
This article exposes a deeply depressing aspect of much of the media. That just by calling yourself a journalist it would appear you are at liberty to invent and circulate lies, hearsay, innuendo and character assassinations and not be called to account for the damage you are doing to the targeted individuals. This maliciously motivated sensationalism damages the integrity of all other journalists, so why are there not other journalists prepared to look into the stories and expose the lies and distortions and distance themselves and their profession from those who are willing to sell out for the sake of an imaginary salacious story bringing them transitory notoriety and acclaim from their editor? This is a very sorry picture of the world of media.
This article exposes the depth of deceit that some are prepared to sink to.
It appears that Jane Hansen and Byron Kaye have decided that manipulating facts and making false claims are things we as a society should accept. I say NO, we deserve and want articles that are truthful, honest and unbiased, that will provide the readers with a truthful foundation from which to draw their own conclusions.
Such a shocking presentation of how a select few of unhappy people have been listened to by the media over the testimony of hundreds of people who are or have experienced Universal Medicine’s unwavering integrity and absolute care in business – “the lies Lance Martin and Esther Rockett have promulgated are extraordinary. What is perhaps more extraordinary is that a journalist, of what appeared to be a sound background, has listened to them!”
Thank you for exposing the depths that it seems journalists such as Byron Kaye and Jane Hansen will stoop to in order to get a headline grabbing story printed with absolutely no interest in providing balanced reporting and checking facts/lies. At best this is lazy reporting but it feels to me as if they are much more complicit in the revenge-fuelled agenda of a very small group of disaffected people who have a very narrow agenda. How can any of this be seen as benefitting the wider public where there is the regulatory body who oversees journalistic integrity? It would appear they lack the commitment to uphold a requirement for fair and balanced reporting. No wonder so many people say they don’t believe the stories they read in the press – but they are still being read and damage is being done which needs to be recognised.
Thank you for exposing so clearly the truth about mainstream journalism. It’s shocking to read how people use their profession to make up lies just for a story that gives them supposedly recognition and they seem to get away with it.
This is not only about the lies made up about Universal Medicine and Serge Benhayon and all other people involved, this is a clear testimony of where we have got to with journalism today – no truth only stories. Stories that serve individual hurts and interests. A great and at the same time terrible reflection of where we are at in general. This way of journalism is no different to corrupt politicians, greedy financial systems and abuse of others in whatever form expressed today just for individual benefits. A clear sign of the involution we are in as human beings. Very sad to feel how desperate people are and how misguided. Why is it so hard to just be truthful and honest? But the worse thing is that in this case people make a huge effort to attack an organisation and people who are just supporting everybody to re-connect to be the amazing love we all are.
Wow…
That people do not just distort the truth but full on concoct something from nothing is unbelievable.
That then people send these lies to print without them being substantiated is unbelievable.
That then people read this nonsense as truths, without discerning or questioning, is unbelievable.
That then people talk to each other as gossip and rumour about what they have read is unbelievable.
That then people….goes on.
The ripple effect of throwing a pebble into a still pond is all too clear here.
Thank goodness there are people committed to presenting the truth, perhaps people further down the line can respond in turn too. That would be unbelievable….
Here we go again, same old regurgitation of untruths and false information based on a complete foundation of rubbish. Their lack of integrity is felt by all, including the public authorities. They bring their profession into disrepute, no different to the phone hacking journalist scandal in the UK. Well exposed again Alison Greig.
It beggars belief that companies that purport to be in the business of DELIVERING NEWS about what is occurring in the world to the wider population (very much needed) are in fact in the business of MANUFACTURING STORIES to line their own very deep pockets?
Where is the integrity of those at the helm of these organisations – let alone the puppets who march diligently to their tune?
Where is the awareness of the long-term consequences of such irresponsible activity – manufacturing opinions, manipulating emotions and inventing facts for $$ and power?
It is so clearly laid out here – in detail – how the media machine operates. I can only imagine what is going on elsewhere!
Wow! This is an indescribably powerful exposure of how atrocious it is that this kind of false, aggressive and simply untrue journalism is somehow allowed to be published… I am yet again shocked by how disgraceful the comments are about Universal Medicine and Serge Benhayon. Thank you Alison, Alan and the UM Facts team for writing an article which should be published in every single newspaper as an example of what TRUE journalism looks like.
Self pollination comes to mind reading about the highly unethical tactics of ‘journalist’ Byron Kaye and the complainant Lance Martin whose agenda and tactics regarding Universal Medicine and Serge Benhayon are no starting point that can ever finish with the truth,
Thank you Alison Greig and team for filling in the gaps and letting the ordinary truth be known about Universal Medicine – a well run, ethical, compliant, successful and consistently growing business – and Serge Benhayon, whose conduct through this dishonest and deceiving campaign is confirmation in itself of his character and integrity.
Another excellently researched, exposing and objective article laying bare the truth. It is incredible that a journalist can manufacture a story by initiating the complaint that he/she is ‘exposing’ and then get an award for it!
Do they think that if they say something long enough and loud enough, then it must be true? After all, it is a tried and trusted method of manipulation. Thank you for another great article, where we can actually trust what is being printed.
The clarity and thoroughness of this article is inspiring and stands as a great model for all of us. We have a responsibility to seek the truth rather than accept what we are fed, to ask questions and to make sure we understand the source behind everything, whether that is an article or a piece of research. Serge Benhayon and the team at Universal Medicine have been consistently open and transparent about the work they do and still the vitriol persists.
One of the most insidious lies that still has enormous hold is that what you read in the ‘proper’ newspapers is true. More and more we can feel that personal agendas influence everything and that the media is often used as a ‘spot squeezing’ exercise for individual’s issues. We, the readers, have a huge part to play in the continuance of this, or not.
This is a brilliant article that not only exposes the lies that have been perpetrated against Serge Benhayon and Universal Medicine, but cuts to the core of what is accepted as journalism now. It struck me from the beginning when these stories started to come out how the reporters were asking for Serge’s and other people’s side of the story, but then going on to publish nothing that was said to them and taking things out of context to support their stories as they had already formed them.
I now look at journalism with a much more objective viewpoint, and always ask myself “what viewpoint is the writer pushing?”. The journalism industry is rapidly losing its credibility in so many areas, it is amazing to feel how this site and these blogs are creating a spark for something amazing!
Ace reporting by Alison Greig and the UM facts team. If this was the standard of reporting in the media what a different world we would live in. It is amazing to feel the integrity and truth in each word you publish with no hidden agenda, to simply present the facts without seeking to sensationalise. It is high time that newspaper editors took this standard and applied it to their publications so that people can have the opportunity to experience real truth. I trust that there will be investigations into the false allegations made by Jane Hansen and Byron Kaye in light of this amazing expose of their questionable methods and doubtful sources.
We as a race are in dire straits – we have illness and disease increasing and becoming more severe showing us something is very wrong in how we are living; we have wars, atrocities and general lack of care towards each other on a wide scale; we have natural disasters that show us something is not right and that the arrogant stance of man has been misplaced. The message is loud and clear – HOW WE HAVE BEEN LIVING IS NOT WORKING.
This is not a time for selfish games and made up stories. What on earth are journalists such as Byron Kaye and Jane Hansen doing abusing the responsibility they have in their hands of informing and inspiring the public with truth, by instead knowingly printing false stories which harm a large number of the public they should be serving and misinforms all of their readers? This lack of responsibility and accountability is what has resulted in the world being in the state that it is. Thank God for people such as Serge Benhayon, and institutions such as Universal Medicine that remind us of our true nature of integrity, love and responsibility.
Thank you Alison Greig for your article.
I am sure that I am not alone in being accustomed to journalists distorting the truth. For all I know this happens everyday and no article is to be believed, or so we tell ourselves until we illogically believe in it. Almost worse is that we somehow condone this. BUT with what Alison Greig has written there is exposed a far deeper and sinister level of manufacturing lies. These can never be tacitly ignored because the truth is out and it also exposes that the distortions that we might have decided to condone were most likely to have been manufactured lies. How long can we stand idly by? We act if the lie is transparent and Alison exposes this so well. It must also matter if the lie is hidden as part of a distortion and in this we must act as well. The journalists either act with integrity or they do not – there is no half-way house.
I find it incredulous that all the lies can still be put out whether on the internet or in newspapers – have we learnt nothing? Serge Benhayon founder of Universal Medicine is a man of the highest integrity and anyone who would spend time with him would know this. Therefore it stands to reason that all products from Universal Medicine would have the same level of integrity. I understand that there are some very hurt people out in the world but spreading lies about others won’t make that hurt go away. Thank you for another amazing article revealing the true facts.
Thank you Alison Greig for another outstanding article on the truth and facts of the scandalous stories told by certain journalists so far, exposing in no uncertain terms their hidden agendas and games. The real question for me, again, is why oh why do we, humanity, seek the scandal rather than the truth? – without any hesitation about the consequences it may have to ourselves and our fellow men. It’s time to look at the world and the lies we allow much more deeply. Let’s ask ourselves why. Why do we allow these and other false allegations to go unchallenged – until perhaps someone we care about is affected by them? These questions are crucial if we really want to get beyond the allegations – only we can make a difference. Each and every one of us – can stand up and be counted.
Great article as always. Pondering on this, who will be the first “brave” publication outside of the blogs that will express to humanity the true power of the way of the livingness? Or is it because there is no “sensation” or “drama” involved?
Another brilliant article exposing the corruption and dishonesty that happens every day in the media. There is a broader story on our society here – so often we put self or self gain or self preservation above love and truth. We have all allowed /condoned the media to behave in this way. True respect and consideration for all others and treating everyone as an equal should be the bedrock of our society. Instead we have many who opt for the comfort of just looking out for themselves and making sure they have a reputation or financial gain or are not challenged on their issues/behaviour. And we have many who choose to be unaware and just lap up the lies and continue to buy our newspapers even though they may suspect the accuracy of what they are reading. This exposes the deep hurt or emptiness that many are feeling and will do almost anything to numb or cover up. If this version of comfort and looking after self is the main priority in life then it is easy to justify lying, cheating, bullying, intimidating and attempting to destroy another human being. As one great man once said, what would happen if we all told the press we were not going to buy any more newspapers until they start printing the truth?
It is so amazing to have the opportunity to begin to reverse the current trend in our society today which can feel as though it is bent on self destruction. The whole focus of all that is presented to us both in the newspaper and on the television appears to be to undermine and deconstruct our sense of beauty and true joy and to pull us into a downward spiral of despair. Lance Martin is one such case – he appears to be an embittered and twisted man who is ‘hell bent’ on drawing others in to his circle of destruction.
On the other hand we have Serge Benhayon who is offering the world an opportunity to reverse the current trend and to empower themselves and embrace the full beauty and wonder of the world and to share that with all others. For me there is not contest!
I am very new to this site and also the internet in general. I am astonished that this behaviour is allowed and goes on with no policing whatsoever. Thank you Alison Greig and Alan Johnston for your research and stating facts that are clear. What comes to me is that if I choose to not say anything then I am condoning this type of behaviour and therefore accepting it. My inaction condones the actions of a few who really have made it a mission to smear hatred with a digital footprint that cannot be erased.
Call me naive but I had no clue that there are forums like the Rick Ross one you mention about cults who support and encourage others to write without any regard or responsibility of the damage they are doing to another. Is writing electronically any less harmful than face to face? I don’t think so. This behaviour is harming and that to me is something that needs to stop. What lengths will Lance Martin and co go to to continue this hate campaign? It leaves me feeling stronger in my commitment to read and respond by way of comment so that I can make a digital footprint that is based on living a life that I know is Truth. I have learnt much from Serge Benhayon and he is the total opposite to all these lies that are being printed about him.
It is nothing short of absolute madness when one considers that everything Universal medicine has offered / has to offer could (and has in blogs) make hundreds if not thousands of articles that apply to every aspect of human life in a beneficial way. So why would these journalists stoop to taking a story that would only serve one bitter man in fanning his own self-serving campaign? The media have a responsibility to inform the public in matters of what is happening in life, do they not? All this cult nonsense is only real in the minds of so few, whereas the joys of what Universal Medicine has presented is in the lives of thousands. That is real.
Blatant lies for the sake of a story seem to be something that both individual journalists Jane Hansen of the Sunday Telegraph and Byron Kaye from the Medical Observer are willingly prepared to cook up and regurgitate. The editors in chief of both are equally prepared to disseminate lies, false claims and bogus details. It leaves me wondering where is the sense of duty, to present truth or a balanced report? It seems satisfying the need for a bit of a coup (even if it is made up) is worth the damage they inflict.
I used to read newspapers a lot more frequently than I do now, what was always clear in what I read was that each article I read would allow for both sides of any story to be heard. This would be done even when it was clear that the article was written from an angle the journalist favoured, this is a basic ethical tenet of journalism. The journalist might want you to agree with their opinion but the writing didn’t demand it. In my opinion the work of Byron Kaye, Jane Hansen and all those who have covered Universal Medicine to this point demands compliance with their point of view. They have not allowed for the other side to be presented in any way shape or form. Without this, there is no credibility and I would say no morality either.
This is a great reminder for me to be aware when I read newspapers and articles published in the press. Not everything out there is created having put the absolute truth first…
Journalists held accountable for their actions. Brilliant. A great blog, exposing how journalists, who are in a position of power have chosen to manipulate fact to find a sensational angle. Rather then choosing to commit to being professional, putting the work in and creating articles that are balanced and truthful and still engaging. Thank you.
It really is amazing what we will accept as long at it doesn’t rock our comfort. We often prefer half-truths or outright lies, if it means we don’t have to change and to acknowledge that where we are in life is a result of our own choices. Lance Martin is a case in point, for it seems that he cannot accept his marriage has broken down and he has a large part to play in that in how he acted and was, so prefers to blame Serge Benhayon and Universal Medicine. How many of us do this in smaller ways in our own lives, we create a story or drama portraying ourselves as the put-upon one, the victim rather than seeing our part and taking full responsibility for it, and in doing so we create more of a space for that in the world. We rail against the world and how awful it is, how media is corrupt, power elites are gone bad and yet we often don’t see that we do this on a different scale in our own lives when at any stage we believe and let a lie pass or when we sit back and do not stand up for truth. We’ve been doing this for aeons, blaming systems, governments etc. without seeing that we play a part in it and being ok with using those self same systems or governments for self-gain when it suits us. It starts with us being honest and truthful in how we live and it flows out from there, as we can then more clearly see our own part in all of this, and as we take more responsibility we set a marker for others to see that there is another way.
Reading how Byron Kaye lodged complaints against Universal Medicine, and not having any personal experience of the services offered, for the pure benefit of then having “allegations” to write an article on is completely scandalous. Behaviour such as that should result in him stepping down and facing a full enquiry otherwise others learn it’s ok to not only print lies but to be the person that makes the allegations so they have something to print. This has been shown 2 years after Byron Kaye pulled this stunt with Jane Hansen following suit. It’s time for facts and not lies to start to fill our newspapers and screens.
I think Anna Douglass sums up this hurtful tirade against Universal Medicine in a nutshell…
“Interesting to note, there was no media interest in Universal Medicine, and not one complaint ever lodged with any Government departments until my marriage broke down. Lance has been consistent and relentless at getting any sort of attention and smearing Universal Medicine, he will go to extraordinary lengths, and will distort the truth to achieve this. If Lance had put the same commitment, energy and time used for his hate campaign into our marriage, I have no doubt that our relationship would be in a very different place…’”
When I read through the truth that is being presented here by a solid team I wonder how many other stories are printed and how many other people are affected by the lies that are written in newspapers? Universal Medicine and Serge Benhayon have a solid foundation in knowing and living who they are with an amazing support team but when this mis-reporting is going on all over the world who is there for those individuals or groups to expose the lies told about them?
It seems that everything here has been carefully and deliberately manufactured to cause maximum damage, to spread lies that will fester for years, sowing seeds of doubt in the minds of many thereby preventing them from approaching an organisation that could help them to make healthier lifestyle choices. There are, to counter that, several hundreds of students of Universal Medicine whose lives tell a different story, who have been inspired by Serge Benhayon and his family, and whose health and vitality is improved enormously. The journalists may not yet be ready to stop looking for ways to bring down Universal Medicine but we will continue presenting truth over and over and over again, whatever it takes, their actions only delay the final outcome – Truth wins.
In the Universal Medicine student body we see something extraordinary; we see a large group of people from all walks of life, residing in all areas of the world changing their lives from lives of hardship, struggle, discontentment, illness, isolation, etc to lives of simplicity, easy, harmony, love, truth, vitality and a commitment to being fully active in their communities, jobs and humanity in general. Now to many these many just be a collection of words on a page but it signifies something unheard of in our world today, as when every country, community, group, family and individual is for the most part heading on a downward trajectory in life – lacking joy, love, contentment, harmony, etc – the group of people that make up the Universal Medicine student body are heading the very opposite direction. This group should be deeply studies by governments, medical institutions and EVERYONE else for the evidence of their lived lives suggests they have found the key to life that in our inner-most we all yearn to unlock.
The way Byron Kaye and Jane Hanson behaved is dragging journalism further into the gutter – ‘conveniently’ ignoring the facts to make way for sensationalist lies. There is a truly inspiring story to be told about Universal Medicine and the practical everyday support it brings to many people, one that should be headline news.
Universal Medicine’s open door policy speaks volumes. There is complete transparency everywhere and for journalists to report anything other than truth is completely disgraceful given their position and completely disrespectful to the readers.
Even though sensational writing might sell surely it just reflects our general lack of commitment to truth in our society. It seems that many have given up on truth and so we go for the superficial, the quick fix, the little temporary buzz for the intellect and that’s about it. And that’s where these journalists get their money from. Our lack of gusto for what is true. But surely it’s not that big of a step to not buy that newspaper. And it is that simple to make a mark, a say. Not contributing to what we feel is not true, to resist reading things that are just there to rouse, disturb and make us react. There are ways to report that are respectful and contribute to us growing as a society and of course ways that are definitely not that, which we have been witnessing.
After reading much of what has been written both here about Universal Medicine and generally in the wider news arena it seems to me that most journalists can no longer, or no longer take the time to, discern exactly what truth is.
There is a ‘type’ of life that fits well within our understanding of how we behave in our society, (that differs from culture to culture), but more often than not, is rarely challenged other than by a few rogues, a few free spirits, a couple of intelligent ‘left’ types. This looks to all intents and purposes like a true challenge to our accepted norm, but in most cases it just pushes freedom of expression to the outside limits meanwhile staying within the ‘accepted’ boundaries, within what is considered to be the ‘truth’ of how we should and how we do live and behave.
But does that acceptable norm really include truth? And if it doesn’t, then how do journalists discern the truth unless they are willing to step outside the acceptable norm?
Here is a community who stands up and says, ‘hey, how all that plays out and is expected to play out over a lifetime, doesn’t feel true for me’ – what feels true for me is this…over here, this feels true to live like this’. Wow, let’s keep writing about that…about truth, until it is a part of the paradigm – then we are all free….journalists as well.
This hate campaign against Universal Medicine has opened my eyes to the level of corruption in the media. Fact is placed second to grabbing the reader’s attention in any way possible, be it by way of shock or sensationalism. Too often we see tragic events covered in a way that may not be respectful to the people directly involved and their loved ones. This is evident in the recent coverage of the Sydney Seige – you could feel the excitement and the buzz of a “great story” in the shocking headlines and articles. Regarding Universal Medicine, the articles that have been published as part of this hate campaign are not a reflection of the organisation, Serge Benhayon and those who support it. It can be very damaging to label someone as a cult. As a supporter of Universal Medicine and someone who deeply appreciates having Serge Benhayon in my life I see how there is a truly inspiring story to be told here – but it is and has been overlooked for the cheap thrill of a range of sensationalist stories. As human beings we can be so quick to form opinions and judge one another, this is to our own demise. It appears that some of these journalists formed their angle / their story before even speaking with Serge. I have spoken with many people in my life about what is happening here and no-one thus far has been surprised about the level of corruption in the media – in fact from my experience this is commonly known in society. I am not speaking about every journalist here as there are some great pieces I do see written. However, the self regulating nature of the industry and the lack of integrity, decency and respect is what needs to be addressed here.
I am constantly reminded of the gullibility of the media when presented with a story that is obviously short on facts and indeed lacks any truth at all. A simple enquiry about the author of the complaint or some of the material put forward would surely set off alarm bells.
What does this say about society in general? What is society looking for when it comes to media outlets? It would seem our media outlets are only concerned with sales and it is clear that stories highlighting the worst aspects of our society are what sell.
There are so many “good” stories to be told that show parts of our society that should be recognized and celebrated. Universal Medicine is one of those stories.
I recently read about the beginnings of The Christian temperance movement which was established in the 1870’s by a group of women who stood up against the increasing rate of domestic violence against women and children. At the time woman had very little rights, they were unable to vote and in most instances were unable to divorce their partners, regardless of domestic violence and abuse. This group of women were famous for exposing how alcohol consumption increased the frequency and severity of domestic violence and where instrumental in shutting down thousands of saloons across America, no mean feat for that time, especially when woman had no apparent rights, yet what they were able to achieve as a united front is truly inspiring. Why are stories like this not front page news in the media? Domestic violence is still a huge concern and alcohol use a major contributor – what has happened to the Clark Kent type of reporting, true care for humanity, giving voice to the people and exposing the rot that occurs in our societies. It appears today journalists like those mentioned above are no longer exposing the rot but are too busy adding to it. Personal gain and fame seems to be more important than representing the facts of what is truly going on in the world. For all those journalists that are prepared to speak out and expose the injustices in our world, I applaud you.
Through all the years that I knew the media was corrupt (I worked as a publicist)- that they didn’t back up facts -that they wrote sensationalist articles – I never really said anything about it, just accepting that that was how it was. The truth for me was that all those sensationalist articles were about other people – people I thought, back then, were fools for having let the media in, for having spoken to them at all. Now that I have first hand knowledge of the other side, I see that you don’t even have to let the media in, nor even speak to them, they can concoct the ‘quotes’ needed or the ‘facts’ required to write their story all on their own !! This is a situation that has slowly descended upon journalism over the last few decades and seems to now play a rather large part. The oft quoted line of Murdoch’s from his early years in newspapers – ‘publish and be damned’, should now read ‘publish and be ashamed’.
If you are trying to make an apple pie and the apples you start with are rotten, it doesn’t matter how much you decorate the pie – it will still smell, look and taste rotten. That’s because it is rotten. If the apples you got came from an orchard where every tree is infected with the rot, it doesn’t matter what apples you pick – they will all be rotten. Such is the case with the Rick Ross forum – the source of all these false media reports, and as the article says run by a twice convicted felon. The forum is the orchard in this parable – it is rotten. The information plucked by Esther Rockett and Lance Martin is rotten. It can’t be anything but, because the forum was rotten to start with. The entirely false, inflamed and fabricated media reports are rotten – they are written with rotten information from a rotten source. The only unanswered question is did Jane Hansen and Byron Kaye not notice the rot? Or did they just ignore it to suit their own ends.
A excellent breakdown of an appalling case of abuse and manipulation by the press.
The repeating pattern is alarming:
Serge Benhayon discovering that complaints have been made about Universal Medicine and the College of Universal Medicine through journalists – Not through the proper channels of the government bodies responsible for hearing such complaints.
This implies an abuse of proper process. And as you have written it implies a degree of behind the scenes complicitness between the journos and complainants, after all how else would the journos know if the complaint had not been processed?
The fact that Byron Kaye himself created a complaint (based on what? he thad never been a client of Universal Medicine) that he then reported on, shows a blatant disregard for journalistic ethics (oxymoron perhaps if this story reflects current practice). It is also a disgraceful conflict of interest.
It is an abuse of the complaints process that the contents of complaints are bandied about in the media before they have been properly processed. What is going on here when complaints are being contaminated and biased in such a brazen way? This is mishandling to an alarming degree. Every Australian citizen ought to be at the very least wondering, if not deeply concerned about such breaches in the handling of the complaints process in this country.
Thank you team for also highlighting the point that a complaint is not a Fact. There is an investigative process to be undertaken to determine whether a complaint has validity or not – you know innocent until proven guilty….something the press might do well write on a post-it note to remind themselves of daily.
Heaven knows, there are complaints that are completely made up….just like the ones reported on in these stories. And sometimes they are made up by the journalist.
This episode reveals alarming problems in the media in this country and it covers but a small portion of the abuse by the press experienced by Serge Benhayon.
Your concluding questions are something that those who run the media, and the journalists who constitute it’s public face ought to consider deeply:
“How is that (this episode) fulfilling the requirements of fair and balanced reporting, as required by the Australian Press Council? It is evident that in spite of clear and cogent evidence Jane Hansen has chosen to take sides on the facts. Is that responsible journalism? We have to ask, what credibility can a journalist have who relies upon the lies of a revenge driven man and exposed cyber-bully and internet troll?”
Let me get this straight:
A reporter from the esteemed Medical Observer gets fed lies from disgruntled and bitter ex-partners with an axe to grind.
Finding nothing to report on he actually lodges his own complaint to the authorities in order to give him a story to report on.
The truth was readily available but the lies were perpetuated and amplified.
Byron Kaye and Jane Hansen, you have been used. You have been taken and sold out to a whole new level.
Shame on the Medical Observer for not correcting the lies. You have destroyed your credibility.
I have always been under the impression that a good journalist always checks their sources for agendas. I don’t quite understand how so many journalists failed to see the slant on this story. It is time that a journalist with integrity and honour genuinely sees the story to be told here which is much simpler and yet life changing. Through the choices we make we can change the trajectory for our own mental health and Wellbeing and the mental health and Wellbeing of others. That should make the department of health sit up and listen… A low budget way to bring about better health!
Is there no bottom to which the media will not stoop in its lack of integrity and professionalism? With all the possible “real” stories to report on, such as sexual abuse in the church or on the corruption in the food industry, why is it that these journalists choose to print completely false stories? This code of conduct would not be tolerated in any other profession; why does humanity allow this conduct from the media? Is it because we don’t expect anything else, we’re so used to it, or do we unconsciously enjoy sensationalist drama so as to focus on these stories instead of our own health and well being? I personally stopped ordering newspapers at my work place because of the situation with how Universal Medicine had been reported on. If we could all stand up and show our disgust with how we’re reported to, and stopped buying into lies and separation, the media would have to change its ways.
This article reveals an intricate web of lies and deceit which is almost unbelievable in it’s cunning and deviousness. That so-called experienced journalists have thrown out all their professional codes of conduct in their shameless pursuit of a “good (or lurid) story” at any cost is deeply disturbing. It begs the question, what are we actually reading in our media? Is there any possibility of a balanced story that aims to get to the truth of the matter anywhere? Are journalists with integrity a dying breed, or actually already extinct?
The exposing of the corruption in media comes as no surprise. But in saying this, it has also made me realise that whilst I always felt the media was not to be trusted, I have actually trusted the “information” given by the media before. How much of my thoughts and opinions have been crafted by the media, all the while knowing that as a source of information it was untrustworthy?
As a society we get the politicians we deserve i.e. en masse people vote with self interest in mind rather than what would truly benefit the whole community, so we get short sighted self interested politicians. Perhaps the society also get the journalists it deserves, i.e. the truth is not generally held to be as important as getting the outcome that is desired, so we get journalists and entire media organisations that will not bother to ascertain the truth before publishing and will not seek to correct published lies even when there is ample evidence presented to them that an error has been made.
The Facts Team are doing great work to make the true story regarding Universal Medicine and Serge Benhayon available for those who care to look beyond the lies in the media, it is so important that this is done. However I feel that it by choosing to live truth more and more deeply in our daily lives that gradually over time this situation with the media (which is simply a reflection of the lack of respect for truth in our lives as a society) will ultimately change.
Before connecting with Serge Benhayon and Universal Medicine, I would have to say I cared more for getting what I wanted than living the truth, and this process continues to deepen for me as I open to it. The work of Universal Medicine has begun and continues to nurture this process in humanity as a whole, as do those who have also been touched by the truth of Serge’s work, and are now choosing to live this in their daily lives. Change is already coming, it is going to take a while, but the wave is gathering power and will continue to do so.
Simply a disgrace and a very sad reflection of the depths some journalist will stoop to for the sake of a good story. What truly is disgusting is the editors not caring if an article in their newspaper is actually accurate. Where is the responsiblity to their readership and to the innocent parties of Serge Benhayon and others assoicated with Universal Medicine. No wonder I barely believe anything I read!
Watching what has happened to Universal Medicine over the last few years has really opened my eyes to the level of corruption in the media – it is astounding what some will do and what they can get away with, with very little accountability. It now makes sense to me why the people of Australia are so cynical when it comes to the media, for journalists like these make a country lose faith in feeling that the truth is being presented in the media.
Wow, how deeply unethical and disturbing. I remember reading those articles and feeling the fleeting doubt they intentionally evoked, but I had no idea of the extent to which they had stooped to achieve this. Their journalistic practices are so clearly void of any integrity. It is great that you have exposed them and what they are prepared to stand for let alone who they are prepared to stand with. Thank you.
Thank you for exposing the depth of corruption some journalists sink into. What I observe is when a person is engaged in any kind of profession and if it is about them getting recognition/money/power, it’s often the integrity that suffers.
There is a strange juxtaposition every time I read one of these articles about Lance Martin and cohorts. The lies and fabrications get all the more ridiculous, yet the reporting of them on this site, remains incredibly sane, unemotional and observant of the facts, no matter what new information comes to light. This continues to deepen my respect for the writers, for Universal Medicine and for Serge Benhayon. So many amazing people supporting each other to remain well above the dross and dirty journalism, yet able to expose it at the same time. There is enormous strength of character and it is truly inspiring.
Doesn’t this open our eyes to what truly goes on. So often we may not believe what is written in the media as many people often say. But we still buy the paper, read the story and entertain parts of it and carry with us an opinion of what has happened. This shows how ‘loaded’ up a story can be and also then how inaccurate it can be. There is an old saying about two sides to a story but it appears the media are only interested in one and not only that it appears they are loading up that one side to gain more drama and attention. It begs the question, what really are they after? Are they truly interested in the people that are in the story and even the readers of the story. You would think if the media really cared for the people they write about and sell papers too that they would make double sure what they are saying is the truth. It seems from what has been uncovered here that there is no real care from the media for anyone but themselves, shame really I use to love reading the paper but this article shows why I can no longer trust them.
Sloppy journalism is not just poor form, but can have devastating consequences. No wonder journalists have a bad name, and are referred to as sharks or vultures. It would be good to have journalists experience the destruction that can be caused with a ‘news’ story based on lies for the sake of sensationalism and selling papers. Universal Medicine and Serge Benhayon is certainly not alone in unfounded deliberate attacks by the media, but I know Universal Medicine and Serge Benhayon personally, and I was so shocked by the corrupt reporting I have not bought a newspaper, magazine or read online news since 2012. I am shocked again to read the utter manipulation Byron Kaye created when lodging complaints and then writing a story about it, but not mention that he was the one who lodged them. What an incredible concoction for a story.
How have we as a society allowed lies to parade as truth?
Very interesting item in the news this morning about a journalist, a ‘political commentator’ resigning from his post in a major newspaper in the UK. According to the report on the BBC he says the newspapers have a ‘constitutional duty to tell their readers the truth.’ Apparently the newspaper industry is in crisis and sales of this particular newspaper have halved over the past ten years. (BBC News Website). I feel there is a strong pull to truth in us all and in time, journalism will have to respect this. Maybe it’s already happening.
“In short, the journalists were used and they in turn used the dubious sources.”
This story is a case of mutual beneficence meeting convenient back scratching, with only a small price to pay – decency, respect and the dissemination of truth. Not to mention the small issue of more credibility damage done to the already dented profession of journalism…oh and a small issue of damage to people’s reputations in their community.
Jane Hansen might congratulate herself for who knows what reasons…a spike in popularity? earning kudos with the boss? a fantasy that she has “done good”? but the manifold harms in the wake of her reportage cannot be denied in the face of whatever success she has credited herself with.
An all round disgrace.
In wanting to offer more, more and MORE by way of scandal, lies and innuendo this style of repugnant journalism delivers nothing of substance to society. In an age where more people are starting to have an awareness of the environment around and within them and are also making conscious efforts to reduce toxic emissions, hazardous material and general pollution, this form of media is the cheap, unethically made, non-biodegradable poison and rubbish that is responsible for polluting our world. It’s just more mess for others to clean up, reeks of irresponsibility and disregard and in my opinion, contaminates the very air that we breathe.
I have been attending Universal Medicine events for 8 years, and never heard once Serge Benhayon mention that he could cure cancer. What I have said him say is that lifestyle (in other words the way we live) is one of the major underlying factors of cancer – nothing controversial there – and therefore we need to realise as human beings that we have a huge part to play in our own health. And so, naturally, if we stop to look after ourselves more deeply, our health is naturally going to improve. This forms the core basis of many of his teachings – a fact conveniently ignored by journalists like Byron Kaye, who it would appear have no interest in even producing an insightful balanced story. Yes, Serge Benhayon publicly presents some unique theories upon what the root causes of disease are that ask us to challenge our current view of the world, but claims that he cures cancer are not one of them. Our medical system is especially good at treating cancer, and getting better at it, but even they have struggled to find the actual cause of this disease. Many theories are presented, none which have yet to be proved in full. In this regard, we should only encourage society to openly question what the actual underlying causes might be, and even if Serge Benhayon’s theories are not yet proven, there is certainly no harm at all in what he presents, for what he presents is for the most part just plain common sense. And I would venture that at this point in time,even the state of our health system, we should be open to all theories as a possibility. Indeed anything that actively encourages people to take a more positive role in their own health, by inspiring them to make better choices in regards to food, exercise, and mental health should only be encouraged, regardless of what the underlying motivations for making such choices are.
In the thrill of the chase of fame all sense of accuracy and moral standing has been abandoned. Ignoring the clear and obvious abuse and harassment that actually is occurring these reporters have chosen to instead report the lies, accusations and inaccuracies that the abusers use to justify their vengeful actions.
That a reporter is free to publish articles about individual complaints that they themselves lodged speaks volumes about the state of their company! I am shocked that Byron Kaye gets away with this. What on earth is his editor doing if not checking the facts …. ?
The manufacture of opinions might still appear to be the arrogant right of righteous ‘journalism’, but thank goodness for the internet where we are at least afforded the right of response. By the number of comments on these articles its obvious that refuting gutter journalism is entirely necessary!
It is truly astounding that a journalist would submit a complaint about an organisation and then write an article saying that organisation was now under investigation because of that complaint. The manipulation in that is very hard to fathom.
There are so many stories about wrongdoings in the world that need to be told and are never talked about. What does that say about us as a human race, that we do not talk about the real wrongs that are going on in our society and instead have journalists that waste their time and resources in making up stories with the intent to put decent fellow human beings down?
Hurt individuals using journalists, journalists using hurt individuals – is there really anyone benefiting here?
The most unfortunate thing about the beat ups of Byron Kaye and Jane Hansen is that they have deliberately allowed their own bias to get in the way of doing their job – to provide the facts for the community to discern the truth for themselves. Rather they have fallen for the idiom of needing to find the angle – a curse that affects the ability of many modern day journalists to discern the truth of things.
Finding the angle has become more pertinent than finding the truth, and indeed the two are not compatible. For finding the angle means that you are already corrupted by your perception of what you wish the end result to be. Byron Kaye wanted to find the big story to launch his career – one that was dramatic, sensationalist, and cutting edge in its exposure. Universal Medicine was his target and launching pad, and there was obviously nothing going to get in the way of a good story – not even the simple,boring truth.
Well good luck Byron, you have set the tone of your career, although I would hope that you would stop to reconsider your approach. Are you going to be one of those reporters, like the seasoned Jane Hansen, who in years to come looks back and regrets her past, but then finds it all too difficult to change? There is a lesson here for all young journalists to consider when looking at her career path, and that is this…
Truth and integrity do not turn up on your doorstep overnight. They are not qualities you can just manufacturer and call upon suddenly because you now wish to change your ways. And they are certainly not qualities that can suddenly be rediscovered just because one suddenly chooses them in the twilight of their career, for by that stage, the momentum of past choices has created a well worn path that is often very difficult to depart from. This is not to say it cannot be done. Better late than never, but better to never leave the path of truth in the first place. Then there is no necessity to spend years in the wilderness seeking your way back to that which never left your side, but which you so arrogantly chose to ignore.
Jane Hansen’s purposeful misrepresentation of Universal Medicine is exactly the reason why this country needs to question deeply the absolutely pointlessness of the Australian Press Commission and why we have allowed the media to be self regulated. True freedom of speech requires a system of accountability to ensure that it is truly egalitarian in nature and not confined to favouring the few who have the capacity to use their wealth and subsequent influence to ensure that their voice is heard above all others – which is the inevitable end result of having a media that is unregulated and therefore not answerable to the very people it is meant to represent.
Make no mistake, media should be about service to the people, not about profiteering, and creating a base of power and manipulation for the few who are fortunate enough to wield such influence. Of course this will never be the reality, and thus why regulation is required, to hold those to account who choose to abuse the power they hold.
Jane Hansen may be but a pawn in a system that was not of her making, but it would seem she is a willing participant in such corruption none the less, and should be held to account for her brutal misrepresentation of Universal Medicine. The emotive shrill cry of sensational journalism should never be allowed to dominate true investigative journalism in the way is has started to in this country over the past couple of decades.
I recently have been exposed to the media completely misrepresenting what I shared in an interview which upset me greatly. To go ahead and write an article based on no verified facts is taking to the next level of total dishonesty. It’s time for the media and its journalists to take a long hard look at the harm they are doing writing sensational articles based on lies.
The press has a duty to report an unbiased factual story with both sides of the story being represented. I wonder what has happened in the lives of these so called professional journalists to ignore their professional code of conduct and write so many untruths and even concoct their own fabrications. Surely there must be more to this than just a cause to enhance their profiles and to fill a few column inches?
Its sad to see journalism going this way – completely manipulating the readers into any exciting story that will gain traction.
The problem is when you open the newspaper, you don’t know what to believe, and most stories are filled with drama and in most cases – some sort of grief or conflict.
It’s a sad site to see – and one that should not be able to redefine true journalism and reporting. Universal Medicine Facts team – thank you for writing the simple truth and offering us what really goes on.
I used to believe that if I wanted to know whats really going on in the world, I read the newspaper. If I’m looking for entertainment, I buy a magazine as I check out at the supermarket, there are loads to choose from. I generally just flick through and get the gist of what is supposedly happening in the world of celebrities, but I know it’s probably all twisted and changed to make a catching headline. However, now I’m questioning where the newspaper ends and the ‘light reading’ magazine starts, it’s all getting a bit blurry in terms of the ‘reporting’.
I love Anna Douglas’ comment in this blog about Lance Martin putting more time and effort into his hate campaign against Universal Medicine than into their marriage. Isn’t it interesting how we can go to the end of the earth to defend our hurts, but turn away from truth and love.
Here’s a strange thing: people don’t like ‘cults’ because they accuse them of being breeding grounds for cruelty, narrow mindedness, prejudice, causing harm etc. Whether they are or not is not the point, the point is if a forum then forms to oppose a group deemed as such, and then proceeds to attack that group by posting vile, demeaning and spiteful comments in an effort to ‘bring them down’…is not that behaviour on par if not worse than what the ‘anti-cultist’ deems the behaviour of the cult to be? That is, they accuse the ‘cult’ of the very thing that they are guilty of themselves – causing harm by not treating another equally and with respect. The old idiom of ‘the pot calling he kettle black’ comes to mind here.
I have known for a long time that you can’t believe what is written in the newspapers and magazines. I have had an article published about me in a magazine and after they had interviewed me they then concocted their own story. I rang them to ask them to change what they had written and only publish what I had shared with them, however it fell on deaf ears and they published an article that was full of lies. This blog is a much bigger example of this but the truth remains, many journalists out there are only out for the sale of a story that will supposedly sell papers/magazines without respecting the truth.
I find it hard to believe that online organisations such as the Rick Ross Forum/Cult Education Institute are allowed to continue unchecked, when their activity is focussed on destroying people’s lives – “As long as one condemns and attacks others that have been labelled a ‘cult’, one is free to post as much hate-speech as they like. Contrary information is not permitted and if attempted is labelled as ‘information control’. The site advises on lines of attack to deal with ‘named’ groups and is an active resource for anti-cult information.”
Byron Kaye and Jane Hansen chose to publish and repeat lies. From what I see in the media, this not an uncommon practice. This case illustrates to me, the simple fact that we do not currently live in a way that is about truth. Truth is seen as relative or subjective at best. But what if deep down we all know the truth? and what if our relationship with truth is intimately linked with our well-being? Could this not explain the exhaustion and illness we see around us today? In my experience it takes a lot out of you to keep on lying.
Yet again, this is another example of the rot that exists today within our media. This will only cease when we the public stop purchasing the offending publications. Thank you Facts Team, for bringing the rot to our attention.
If making up stories and going on the sensational or knee-jerk reaction creating stories to hook people in is part and parcel for journalism, then how much of what is reported on is actually true? This doesn’t feel like an isolated situation either and even just considering the degree of corruption in the media industry is not a pleasant thought. Thankfully there are people such as the facts team and Universal Medicine that are willing to stand up and present the truth to the world.
We hear the phrase ‘suitable truths’ and there are also ‘Suitable Lies’ written by journalists who will use any suitable lie and make it look like fact if it serves their self-aggrandising agenda. Universal Medicine does not lie, it only presents Truth. It may well be inconvenient for people to hear those truths and it may not sell newspapers but it is what humanity is looking for i.e. The Truth.
Those in the media sometimes claim their industry gets a bad name/ a bad “rap” so to speak. The problem is when you have individuals facilitating the spread of lies, deliberately ignoring the truth and doing everything to secure ratings rather than report true newsworthy story its no wonder the industry is in the state of corruption and mess it is. The choice is simple yet sensation sells and in the case of Jane Hansen and Byron Kaye it does not matter what damage is done to anyone in the process. I look forward to the day when the news agencies get back to their purpose – report the actual news people need to know about instead of the hollywood fantasy movie/story creation they are in.
It is shocking that both Jane Hansen and Byron Kaye not only knowingly reported what was false as they had previous contact with Universal Medicine, but what is even worse is the act of personally logging a false complaint and then reporting the standard response of the government body as proof of the wrongdoing of the organisation, without stating that the complaint was dismissed! Such behaviours show a complete lack of integrity as a journalist. This absence of responsibility, disregard for truth and lack of care or honouring of people is how we spread and engrain evil in our world and how we have ended up in this mess. It simply can not go on.
When I read of the behaviour of Byron Kaye and Jane Hansen it makes me wonder about the bigger picture of our media and the news we are sold. How much of what we are given comes without being tainted by agendas and self interest. Can we trust any of the news we read, we can see in countries such as North Korea where the news is filtered to create propaganda, but it is not only communist so called “hard line” countries that manipulate news, if we consider the way everything is reported, it is almost always done in a way to carry favour, sway opinion or emotionally manipulate the reader/viewer. Our news is inherently bias and quite whimsical. For me now the greatest source of news is reading between the lines, feeling the way in which a story is unfolding and bringing discernment to all I see, hear and read.
It is my opinion that Byron Kaye is a typical example of the type of damage that can be wrought by irresponsible journalism – damage that can last long after a journalist has finished their career. More reason why there should be more debate in this country around the recommendations laid out by the recent Finkelstein Inquiry.
It is indeed a hard pill to swallow when you need to feel your part in a failed relationship. We have all been in this position. Those that can swallow the pill do so with great humbleness and honesty and in this way, receive the medicine on offer. Those that spit it back out do so with a fury that cries ‘do not for a second make me feel what is there to feel and that I am responsible for’. Unfortunately this option not only robs the body of the medicine that it needs to heal the hurt that is there, it also adds more poison that will need to be dealt with at a later date.
It begs the question doesn’t it? Once you have been burnt by the media, you are forever cynical of all that is written. Not all journalists are corrupt. Not all journalists abuse their position to sell their own wares. But therein lies the issue with those that do, for they tarnish the whole industry. Media needs accountability, if for no other reason than to ensure that it maintains the faith of the public. For without the public faith in media, democracy itself is at stake.
In the eyes and ears of an undiscerning and superficially interested observer, the fact of a complaint being made is enough to caste a shadow of a doubt in their minds about the repute of an organisation. In particular this doubt is all that is required to avoid exploring to any depth ideas that may be on offer regarding each and every person’s responsibility to makes new choices in their lives that could contribute to a more loving and harmonious world. In my opinion, the authors of these complaints and the journalists attracted to their stories, know full well that all you have to do is give airplay to the fact that a complaint has been made and you ‘put people off’ while at the same time create a controversy when there is actually none, in order to sell newspapers. The lack of integrity in doing this, in itself suggests that the ideas they would prefer people did not explore have power in them – at the least the power to discern truth from lies and therefore, which information one chooses to invest time and energy in.
Are the media supplying what the public are crying for or are they creating the demand? We love an emotional drama, especially if its a shock horror story – somehow that makes us feel better, even if it isn’t true. It is simply stimulating us more, so it then becomes easier to embellish that lie and create further lies to get an even greater emotional reaction. That is not true reporting,
One wonders about the caliber of the editors who allowed the article full of lies, fabrications and drivel, about Universal Medicine, to go to press.
When journalists choose to write fictional, sensation seeking stories based on the vindictive musings of those with total disregard for truth they are no longer journalists but fiction writers and they demean the integrity of those who do investigate and report the whole truth. However hard they try to convince themselves and others otherwise they cannot deny the truth and integrity of all that Serge Benhayon and Universal Medicine present and represent.