coldhearted scientist وداد

An important scholar keeps emailing this listserv I am on, questioning Manuela Picq’s statements that she was beaten by police during her arrest and detention last week. He says it is important not to distort facts and that researchers must be objective. I understand that, of course, but do not really understand him, and I am not sure I want to intervene in this debate. However, it appears to me that:

1. The professor suggests that Manuela Picq is not a credible witness, or not a reliable narrator.
2. He appears to imply that beatings are only beatings if they are really bad. (I wonder exactly how bad they would have to be to count. I note that this is a common reaction to police brutality. In the United States it is a current justification of torture, and the minimization of violence against women is of course common.)
3. He seems to believe that even journalists covering a situation should keep a very safe distance from any melée.
4. He seems to be opposed to the combination of research and advocacy and activism. I disagree, of course. (I am assuming he does realize that even non-activist researchers have an analysis, a point of view.)

Qu’est-ce qui arrive ici?

Axé.