“As far as particular memories of former students, we can only report that these experiences are what they are saying they remember. After spending hours with the students, I can only tell you that I believed they were being truthful.”

— MICHAEL PRESSMAN
      ABC News Producer

Response to Raghunatha Anudasa from 20/20 Producer
By Michael Pressman
Producer, ABC News 20/20

Dear Raghunatha Anudasa,

Thank you for your email letter expressing your views about our 20/20 segment on the Hare Krishna society.

As you may imagine, it's quite a challenge to tell a complex story that spanned many years in a 15 minute report. I can only begin to understand the difficulties you and your friends faced as children of Hare Krishna. By no means did we believe that there weren't positive things going on at the time. But the story had a particular focus and we kept within that framework. I am confident, however, that the details we reported were fair and accurate.

As far as particular memories of former students, we can only report that these experiences are what they are saying they remember. After spending hours with the students, I can only tell you that I believed they were being truthful.

The video that you referred to that you believe shows you was obtained from

NBC News Archives 30 Rockefeller Plaza 280E New York, NY 10112

You may want to contact them directly.

I know that you and your school mates have lots you want to say about your experiences at Krishna schools. I hope you get many opportunities. If 20/20 embarks on an update to the Hare Krishna story, I would be happy to contact you concerning your thoughts on the subject.

Yours truly,

Michael Pressman Producer, ABC News 20/20

© CHAKRA 16-December-2000

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