i think this one can be attributed to the journalist muddling between m43 and mirrorless.
but the statement that an "iphone is not a camera", or "images shot on a cellphone camera are not photos" is not new. at the paris launch of the m9p, there was a panel discussion on "Crisis and catastrophes in pictures. What justifiable role can photojournalism play in an age of cell phones, Twitter & Facebook" ", looking in the contributions of professional photojournalist and citizen photojournalist. many editors and photojournalists understand the availability of camera handphones in capturing sometimes very powerful images and video of riots, deaths, etc... these may break the story to the news, but they don't nec capture the full story - in there still lies the role of the professional photojournalist.
during this discussion, dr. kaufmann (leica) made the statement that the "iphone is not a camera", referencing the size of the sensor. while there was agreement on the superior image quality from a leica, but in response to the question to couple of the photojournalist on the panel as to if they would take an assignment just using an iphone... they were converging towards something along the lines of use the right tool for the job, and perferrably tools that you're familiar with.
i think leica has also already moved out of the small compact market (c-lux) and focusing on the higher lines (d-lux, x1, etc). i'm not sure how much longer they will stick with their v-lux lines if it wasn't for the partner with pana. to that end, i think they don't see camera phones to be a threat to the market segment they are trying to address - ppl who pay for leica quality (or leica name).
i recall alex majoli's (magnum photos) reply when i asked him that same question on the iphone assignment, his response was, "Why? When you always carry around your Leica?"
