Another TV3 show is under the gun for bullying, this time it's documentary series Reality Trip where one participant made another cry.

However, the cast member who was taunted during the show has stepped in to defend his tormentor.

IT technician Peter Harvey has posted a response to the social media backlash on the show's Facebook page, saying the negative comments directed at DJ Kieran Bell needed to stop.

Photo: Supplied Peter Harvey faced taunting comments from fellow cast member Kieran Bell during the TV3 documentary series Reality Trip.

"I really appreciate everyone stepping in to back me up, but please understand that this was a tv show...

"The amount of visceral hate toward Kieran is unneccesary [sic] and needs to stop."

The series, which was filmed in 2013, follows five young Kiwi consumers as they learn where their cheap, overseas-made goods come from.

Photo: Supplied Everyday Kiwis experiencing how the other half life in the slum district of Tondo, in the Filipino capital Manila for TV3's Reality Trip.

The show follows the group through the Philippines, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh where they momentarily immerse themselves in lives of the locals that produce the goods we pay bottom dollar for.

Throughout the series, which aired its fourth episode on Monday, Bell taunts Harvey.

The strained relationship between the two came to a head on Monday night after Bell made bullying statements aimed at Harvey, which ended with Harvey crying during an interview.

Bell said he liked putting people in "uncomfortable situations".

"I'm going to make a concerted effort to get under his skin and upset him."

The ongoing hostile comments caused a stir on social media with viewers lashing out at Bell.

The show's Facebook page erupted with comments about the comments made by Bell.

The show's producers responded to the social media comments through a post on the Reality Trip Facebook page on Tuesday.

The producers said Bell's comments were not edited out of the show because it was a documentary series.

"The role of a documentary is to cover a series of events, present them as accurately as possible, and evoke thought and discussion.



"Before reacting to events shown in the programme please consider the environment the cast have been placed in and do not be overly quick to judge their actions.



"Also please respect their right to express their opinions just as you the viewer are entitled to express yours.



"That right to expression does not extend to hostile comments or bullying and for that reason the producers have deleted (and will continue to delete) any unsavoury or threatening comments from this Facebook page."



In response to other comments on the page, Reality Trip said Bell was spoken to about his attitude throughout the trip.



However, the producers' note on the Facebook page did not quell comments by viewers about bullying.



Emma Finn wrote: "Very pathetic. I will now never watch this show after this statement, clearly Kieran wanted to make Peter 'break' in his own words, and he's a nasty piece of work hence why the whole of NZ commented. Clearly you've failed to identify that this was in fact bullying and are now trying to fudge over the situation. Just wrong. Very disappointed."



Carla Krantz said she hoped Bell was ashamed of his behaviour.



"I agree with others who have said his behaviour overshadows the whole show. It has the potential to be an amazing show, it's highlighting some eye opening situations."



The show is aired on Mediaworks-owned TV3 but was produced by Topshelf Productions, which also ran the series' Facebook page independently of Mediaworks.



Reality Trip executive producer Laurie Clarke denied accusations that by not cutting Bell's comments from the show it was condoning bullying.



"We are striving to give an accurate picture of what was happening between the five cast members because... we believe this is a reflection of how they're responding to the people they're meeting and the situations they're placed in."



Clarke said the comments made by the cast about one another were an important component of the show because they reflected how they were responding to the situation.



"For each person it's an emotional journey as well as a physical one, and their comments are a reflection of how they're feeling at a particular point in that journey."



The filming and production team were aware of what was happening between the cast and made efforts to address problems when friction arose, he said, adding that if one or two people did not get along they could not be forced to.



Clarke said he stood behind the producer's note on the Facebook page, saying the opinions expressed in the show had context.



"...They arise out of the situation of five young people travelling together and being exposed to challenging situations. The comments made on social media are expressing opinions, sometimes hostile opinions, about people they have no direct experience of."



Generally, the response to the show on social media had been good but the "depth of feeling" from some people had been a "surprise", he said.



During the interview where Harvey cried, the director explored "coping mechanisms" with him and asked him if he wanted to leave but Harvey said he wanted to stay and make the most of the opportunity.



This realisation helped bolster his confidence and saw him start standing up for himself and he soon found his place in the group, Clarke said.

One of the show's cast, Stephanie Lai, has spoken out to defend the series.

Lai took to Facebook and Twitter to explain the context surrounding the comments, adding that the audience did not get to see everything that happened or the stress the trip put the group under.

"This has been completely exaggerated, you're all missing the point that we actually had a lot more fun than this ! We filmed for weeks and only an hour comes out for each episode.

"Anna, Kieran, Peter, Stevie = All absolutely lovely people. We treated everyone we met with the highest respect - and also had great conversations about anything and everything, including beautiful NZ with whoever wanted to speak to us along the way….

"Yes, we did get annoyed with each other at some points, but we always dropped it fast and went back to being buddies again haha.

"Keep in mind, we just met each other at the airport, and we get flung into this massive adventure together and we are trying to learn about each other as fast as we can - whether it be likes/dislikes/fears etc.

"Not only that, we are stuck with each other 24/7. So we don't have any space - if Peter is snoring ridiculously loud, we get 3 hours sleep and still have to wake up and continue. I'm pretty sure no one is angelic if they haven't slept properly for weeks!

"Overall I would like to tell everyone that we are all actually friends in real life, and talk everyday."

The issue comes after TV3's X factor New Zealand was forced to fire controversial husband-and-wife judges Natalia Kills and Willy Moon following an on-air tirade targeted at one of the show's contestants, which was labelled as bullying.

In response to a comparison of the situations on the two TV3 shows, Reality Trip producers said on the Facebook page that the difference between the two was X Factor was a reality television series and Reality Trip was a documentary series.

Producers also said they were forced to monitor posts following "very negative comments" directed at Bell.