All over Facebook and Twitter we're reading about the Church of Scientology's investigative piece in its own-produced Freedom magazine that supposedly contradicts the St. Pete Time's reporting this summer on the cruelty and abuses of the highest church leader on anyone below him.
Investigative? Please.
An investigative piece requires trained journalists questioning people,attributing that information and then seeking out alternate voices. It's called credibility. Who did the reporting in the 80-page Freedom magazine article? Only one side seems to be "reported" in this story.
Look at this. It's the explainer on page 79: "Investigative Reporting in the Public Interest Freedom Magazine has long been a voice for the Church of Scientology. Today,that voice exposes journalistic injustice within St. Petersburg Times—the trickery, the deception, the arrogance. But we know we are not alone. So to all who have been capriciously targeted by the Times: public servants, community leaders and members of the business community—let Freedom hear from you... And together, we can take a stand for decency and fair coverage,"
Rubbish.
Fair coverage? Where exactly is that within these pages? This so-called investigative report lectures from a specific point of view -- the antithesis of investigative reporting; the antithesis of intelligent questioning. Worst of all, this article has nothing to do with freedom. Such abuse of noble words and ideals hurts.
I revere good journalism. This isn't it. This is spouting off.
Showing posts with label st. petersburg times. Show all posts
Showing posts with label st. petersburg times. Show all posts
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Friday, July 3, 2009
Today's flower children?
I'm working on a couple of stories from eco-Judaism to a Life in Abundance book traveling to 50 churches before being sent to Africa to Scientology. Scientology? I've been fascinated since I discovered earlier this year that in a house in the Arcadia neighborhood of Phoenix, L. Ron Hubbard
wrote out his new religion: Scientology.
The St. Peterburg Times' recent series on the leadership in the church was eye opening. Closer to home, though, I'm talking to Phoenix Chanology, a group of dedicated, self-proclaimed computer geeks who are loosely associated with a global group call Anonymous in protesting what they consider to be human rights violations by the church.
The group protests monthly wearing V for Vendetta masks and holding a big arrow-shaped sign with the word "CULT" on it, pointing it directly behind them at Phoenix's Church of Scientology headquarters. They are orderly, mannerly and have an impressive collection of documents and backup material.
I remember flower children, sit-ins, tear gas and bullets from when I was young and in high school and then college. Protests were against the Vietnam War -- which always gave me a queasy feeling because my older brother was there and I needed to support him -- no matter what.
The war today's group is fighting is one against information -- lack of information, misinformation and distorted information.
They want people to know all there is to know about Scientology. They want to give potential congregants the skinny on the religion/cult.
In the battle of information, the troops that command the greatest computer skills will win. I can't help but think these cyberspace cadets have an edge.
wrote out his new religion: Scientology.
The St. Peterburg Times' recent series on the leadership in the church was eye opening. Closer to home, though, I'm talking to Phoenix Chanology, a group of dedicated, self-proclaimed computer geeks who are loosely associated with a global group call Anonymous in protesting what they consider to be human rights violations by the church.
The group protests monthly wearing V for Vendetta masks and holding a big arrow-shaped sign with the word "CULT" on it, pointing it directly behind them at Phoenix's Church of Scientology headquarters. They are orderly, mannerly and have an impressive collection of documents and backup material.
I remember flower children, sit-ins, tear gas and bullets from when I was young and in high school and then college. Protests were against the Vietnam War -- which always gave me a queasy feeling because my older brother was there and I needed to support him -- no matter what.
The war today's group is fighting is one against information -- lack of information, misinformation and distorted information.
They want people to know all there is to know about Scientology. They want to give potential congregants the skinny on the religion/cult.
In the battle of information, the troops that command the greatest computer skills will win. I can't help but think these cyberspace cadets have an edge.
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Scientology inspires good journalism
Greater voices than mine have spoken out about the St. Petersburg Times’ three-part series on the current leadership in the religion – cult? – of Scientology. Still, I have a few thoughts on what’s in the stories and about the stories.
All these “ethics files” smack of paranoia and control. I was a manager long enough to know that documenting employees and their misdeeds is all about an entity surviving and the employee failing.
Leaders and spokespeople that scream their responses seem perilously close to appearing out of control in a kind of “thou protests too much” guilt persona. And, most congregants want their leaders to live the teachings of their church, and most teachings don’t promote yelling as a way to get to a higher place.
It’s up to others to decide what this series means to Scientology, but allow me to make a few comments on what it means to journalism.
The dogged, intelligent work of Joe Childs and Thomas C. Tobin shows boldness, compassion, and a commitment to verifiable facts and a responsibility to report both sides. That David Miscavige tried to pull an end run in a campaign of no comment by a last-ditch effort to quell the series – really, he wouldn’t have been available until to July? Is that what he tells his followers when they have questions? – in no way undermines the series.
These reporters didn’t rush to print, but nor were they going to be cowered by suppressive tactics. It was time to tell the tale after months of good, solid reporting.
That the stories are nicely written on top of everything else shows the power of good journalism to tell a good story. A relevant story that touches peoples’ core.
Stories like these are why this profession has Constitutional protection. And this type of work lives up to that protection during a time when too many newspapers are abdicating their nobility. Kudos to the St. Petersburg Times for lighting the way back to good journalism.
That the newspaper series has exploded into all parts of the Internet only goes to show the power of the two to join and give readers of all kinds something worthy to talk about.
All these “ethics files” smack of paranoia and control. I was a manager long enough to know that documenting employees and their misdeeds is all about an entity surviving and the employee failing.
Leaders and spokespeople that scream their responses seem perilously close to appearing out of control in a kind of “thou protests too much” guilt persona. And, most congregants want their leaders to live the teachings of their church, and most teachings don’t promote yelling as a way to get to a higher place.
It’s up to others to decide what this series means to Scientology, but allow me to make a few comments on what it means to journalism.
The dogged, intelligent work of Joe Childs and Thomas C. Tobin shows boldness, compassion, and a commitment to verifiable facts and a responsibility to report both sides. That David Miscavige tried to pull an end run in a campaign of no comment by a last-ditch effort to quell the series – really, he wouldn’t have been available until to July? Is that what he tells his followers when they have questions? – in no way undermines the series.
These reporters didn’t rush to print, but nor were they going to be cowered by suppressive tactics. It was time to tell the tale after months of good, solid reporting.
That the stories are nicely written on top of everything else shows the power of good journalism to tell a good story. A relevant story that touches peoples’ core.
Stories like these are why this profession has Constitutional protection. And this type of work lives up to that protection during a time when too many newspapers are abdicating their nobility. Kudos to the St. Petersburg Times for lighting the way back to good journalism.
That the newspaper series has exploded into all parts of the Internet only goes to show the power of the two to join and give readers of all kinds something worthy to talk about.
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