TORONTO -- CBC Newsworld made its own last-minute changes to a documentary on the Falun Gong before airing it Tuesday night after the film's producer refused to help make additional cuts to his controversial film.

Beyond the Red Wall: The Persecution of the Falun Gong was originally scheduled to appear on Nov. 6, but CBC executives delayed its air date after receiving calls from Chinese diplomats. After reviewing the film, the CBC requested a series of tweaks from producer Peter Rowe.

He agreed, but became frustrated last weekend when the public broadcaster requested a second round of changes, including minor cuts to interview footage. "They called me on Saturday morning and said they were going to go ahead with more cutting," Mr. Rowe said. "They asked if I wanted to participate and I just said 'No." I feel enough is enough . . . it's like a never-ending process. It's just kind of crazy."

Mr. Rowe's documentary tells the story of Kunlun Zhung, a professor at McGill University and a Falun Gong practitioner, who spent three years in a Chinese labour camp. The film also addresses allegations the Chinese harvest organs from imprisoned members of the meditative sect.

The CBC cut portions of the film dealing with a 2006 report on organ harvesting co-authored by David Matas, a human rights lawyer, and David Kilgour, a former MP and secretary of state. It also inserted a graphic to clarify an interview subject's claim that Amnesty International supported the Falun Gong's allegations of abuse, which is not entirely true.

"I don't know what the (graphic) will say, but the reality is that Amnesty International has said it is subject matter worth investigating, but they do not have any further proof," Mr. Rowe said.

Jeff Keay, a CBC spokesman, said the final round of changes made by CBC officials affect about one minute of footage. Mr. Keay reiterated the CBC's position that the film was reworked because of editorial concerns and not because of pressure from the Chinese government.

"There were a couple of points where some assertions were made where we were of the view that the supporting evidence was not there, so I think there are going to be deletions," Mr. Keay said. "We're also going to add some graphics to indicate when footage was supplied by Falun Gong."

The CBC felt it needed to rigorously review the documentary because of its contentious subject matter, Mr. Keay said. Because the documentary presents a balanced perspective, it is unlikely that either the Chinese government or the Falun Gong will be entirely happy, he added.

"We wanted to have a credible and solid piece of work out there, because I suspect, at the end of the day, we will have the Chinese government upset with us and we will have some Falun Gong members upset with us," he said.

Mr. Matas, who represented Mr. Zhung, said allowing the Chinese government to deny it violates human rights violations is not balanced reporting. "The notion that CBC would pay any attention to Chinese concerns is evidence they've lost all perspective," Mr. Matas said. "The CBC becoming a vehicle of Chinese government propaganda -- even under the notion that it's balanced coverage -- is not responsible journalism."

National Post
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