Church of Scientology hires veteran journalists to investigate St. Pete Times.

[madfloridian]

This is from an article by Howie Kurtz. He wrote this piece as part of his regular Media Notes column. The St. Pete Times said "We publish it here without additional comment, confident that readers can draw their own conclusions."

The article from the St. Pete Times about the church investigating them.

Scientology pays veteran journalists to investigate Times

After decades of digging into the Church of Scientology, reporters and editors at the St. Petersburg Times are accustomed to being denounced by its leaders. But they find it unsettling that three veteran journalists — a Pulitzer Prize winner, a former 60 Minutes producer and the former executive director of Investigative Reporters and Editors — are taking the church's money to examine the paper's conduct.

That is pretty doggone bad that so called respected journalists would take Scientology's money to investigate a newspaper.

While the journalists have promised an independent review, the Times has refused to cooperate, saying their work will be used to fuel the church's ongoing campaign against the Florida paper.

"I ultimately couldn't take this request very seriously because it's a study bought and paid for by the Church of Scientology," says executive editor Neil Brown. "Candidly," he adds, "I was surprised and disappointed that journalists who I understand to have an extensive background in investigative reporting would think it's appropriate to ask me or our news organization to talk about that reporting while a) it's ongoing, and b) while they're being paid to ask these questions by the very subjects of our reporting."

The excuses offered by the journalists are pretty pathetic.

...Steve Weinberg, the former IRE executive who has taught at the University of Missouri's journalism school for a quarter-century, says he was paid $5,000 to edit the study and "tried to make sure it's a good piece of journalism criticism, just like I've written a gazillion times. … For me it's kind of like editing a Columbia Journalism Review piece."

The reporters hired for the study are Russell Carollo, who won a 1998 Pulitzer for Dayton, Ohio's Daily News for a series on medical malpractice in the U.S. military, and Christopher Szechenyi, an Emmy-winning former television producer who has worked for the Boston Globe's Web site. Asked about taking on the assignment, the two chose to respond in a joint statement Sunday. "We were hesitant," they said. "That's why we insisted on being paid in full before we started our work, total editorial independence and having someone with the reputation of Steve Weinberg involved. Every entity has the right to receive fair treatment in the press."

The St Pete Times has done incredible research on the topic of Scientology. Here is a link to one of their pieces that links to other research.

Scientology: The Truth Rundown

Scientology leader David Miscavige is the focus of this special report from the St. Petersburg Times. Former executives of the Church of Scientology, including two of the former top lieutenants to Miscavige, have come forward to describe a culture of intimidation and violence under David Miscavige. These former Scientology leaders served for years with Miscavige.

Here is one of their pieces called Scientology: Ecclesiastical justice, Part 3 of 3 in a special report on the Church of Scientology

The four high-ranking executives who left Scientology say that church leader David Miscavige not only physically attacked members of his executive staff, he messed with their minds. He frequently had groups of managers jump into a pool or a lake. He mustered them into group confessions that sometimes spun into free-for-alls, with people hitting one another.

..."Rinder and the other defectors couldn't cut it in the tough world of Scientology's Sea Org, a group whose members dedicate their lives to service of the church, the church says. Rather than accept their own failings, the defectors are putting a sinister twist on something that is normal.

The Sea Org is a "crew of tough sons of bitches,'' said church spokesman Tommy Davis, an 18-year veteran of the group.

They use abusive tactics as punishment.

Letting down the group also can result in overboarding, church spokesmen said. It's a Sea Org ritual akin to traditions in other religious orders.

Starkey, the 66-year-old former captain of the Apollo, said plenty of people have been overboarded in his 50 years in Scientology.

If a Sea Org member messes up, "you throw him over the g-- d--- side of the ship," Starkey said.

"He falls into the water, he swims around, climbs up the ladder, gets off at the dock, walks back in again. He never does that again. He knows that that is the way we operate. That is what the Sea Organization is like."

[arcadian]

1. They have had it out for the St Petersburg times for a long time.

I've seen declassified CIA records from the 1970s that document this shit.

[Grand Taurean]

2. Scientology is S**T!

Take that to the bank!

[BlueJazz]

3. I live in St Petersburg and their paper goes very well with my coffee each morning.

They pull very few punches regarding the right-wing. :) :)

[madfloridian]

7. I try to read it online several times a week.

Their series on the boys detention center in Mariana was much needed.

[LiberalFighter]

4. Are those veteran journalists Scientologists?

How much were they paid?

Are they going to interview the Scientologists?

[madfloridian]

5. Interesting comment from a post at Religion Dispatches...

Tells about the church's Freedom Magazine which is mass mailed with non-profit postage.

"live in Saint Petersburg and have followed, albeit only recently, the St. Petersburg's articles on Scientology and the subsequent backlash frmo the Church of Scientology.

The Church of Scientology publishes Freedom Magazine, which is based in Tampa, Florida. There was a special edition released in the Fall of 2009, in which the magazine attacked the St. Petersburg Times.

This special edition of Freedom Magazine was dispersed in bulk to residents of the Tampa area (through non-profit postage), and the subversive element in embedded in the delivery.

Freedom Magazine comes across as a newspaper reporting on the general local news. Shortly after this mailing, local radio stations also aired the articles from this special edition.

On first glance, the magazine appears as though it is a local newspaper exposing problems with another local newspaper. The front flap reads:

"FREEDOM
Investigative Reporting in the Public Interest
www.freedommag.org
INSIDE THE ST. PETERSBURG TIMES/ A FREEDOM SPECIAL REPORT

STEAL, BRIBE AND SPY
Times Publishing Accused of Unlawful Tactics to Kill Competition in Lucrative Government Transcription Business."

http://www.religiondispatches.org/archive/religionandtheology/2358/the_rundown_truth:_scientology_changes_strategy_in_war_with_media_/?page=entire

[proteus_lives]

6. What self-respecting journalist would for fucking scientologists?

[tallahasseedem]

8. Scientologists...

are mafia posing as a religion.

[dmr]

9. They wore the IRS out by doing this which finally got them tax-free status

I don't have a link handy, but a Google search should find it.

(I'd Google it, but don't have my computer glasses & am having difficulty seeing.)

[madfloridian]

10. heh heh

Thanks for the tip. I'll google it.

One day I accidentally wore my computer glasses to drive. Needless to say it scared me. They look alike and it took me a minute to catch on. Went home and got my others.

[dmr]

11. NY Times article on their orchestrated campaign to get tax exemption

http://www.nytimes.com/1997/03/09/us/scientology-s-puzzling-journey-from-tax-rebel-to-tax-exempt.html?pagewanted=all

TAXES AND TACTICS: Behind an I.R.S. Reversal -- A special report.
Scientology's Puzzling Journey From Tax Rebel to Tax Exempt
By DOUGLAS FRANTZ
Published: March 9, 1997

- snip -

The landmark reversal shocked tax experts and saved the church tens of millions of dollars in taxes. More significantly, the decision was an invaluable public relations tool in Scientology's worldwide campaign for acceptance as a mainstream religion. On the basis of the I.R.S. ruling, the State Department formally criticized Germany for discriminating against Scientologists. The German Government regards the organization as a business, not a tax-exempt religion, the very position maintained for 25 years by the American Government.

The full story of the turnabout by the I.R.S. has remained hidden behind taxpayer privacy laws for nearly four years. But an examination by The New York Times found that the exemption followed a series of unusual internal I.R.S. actions that came after an extraordinary campaign orchestrated by Scientology against the agency and people who work there. Among the findings of the review by The Times, based on more than 30 interviews and thousands of pages of public and internal church records, were these:

*Scientology's lawyers hired private investigators to dig into the private lives of I.R.S. officials and to conduct surveillance operations to uncover potential vulnerabilities, according to interviews and documents. One investigator said he had interviewed tenants in buildings owned by three I.R.S. officials, looking for housing code violations. He also said he had taken documents from an I.R.S. conference and sent them to church officials and created a phony news bureau in Washington to gather information on church critics. The church also financed an organization of I.R.S. whistle-blowers that attacked the agency publicly.

*The decision to negotiate with the church came after Fred T. Goldberg Jr., the Commissioner of the Internal Revenue Service at the time, had an unusual meeting with Mr. Miscavige in 1991. Scientology's own version of what occurred offers a remarkable account of how the church leader walked into I.R.S. headquarters without an appointment and got in to see Mr. Goldberg, the nation's top tax official. Mr. Miscavige offered to call a halt to Scientology's suits against the I.R.S. in exchange for tax exemptions.

After that meeting, Mr. Goldberg created a special committee to negotiate a settlement with Scientology outside normal agency procedures. When the committee determined that all Scientology entities should be exempt from taxes, I.R.S. tax analysts were ordered to ignore the substantive issues in reviewing the decision, according to I.R.S. memorandums and court files.

The I.R.S. refused to disclose any terms of the agreement, including whether the church was required to pay back taxes, contending that it was confidential taxpayer information. The agency has maintained that position in a lengthy court fight, and in rejecting a request for access by The Times under the Freedom of Information Act. But the position is in stark contrast to the agency's handling of some other church organizations. Both the Jimmy Swaggart Ministries and an affiliate of the Rev. Jerry Falwell were required by the I.R.S. to disclose that they had paid back taxes in settling disputes in recent years.

In interviews, senior Scientology officials and the I.R.S. denied that the church's aggressive tactics had any effect on the agency's decision. They said the ruling was based on a two-year inquiry and voluminous documents that showed the church was qualified for the exemptions.

- much, much more at above link -

[madfloridian]

12. Thanks for the link...that is shocking.

From your link:

"The I.R.S. refused to disclose any terms of the agreement, including whether the church was required to pay back taxes, contending that it was confidential taxpayer information. The agency has maintained that position in a lengthy court fight, and in rejecting a request for access by The Times under the Freedom of Information Act. But the position is in stark contrast to the agency's handling of some other church organizations. Both the Jimmy Swaggart Ministries and an affiliate of the Rev. Jerry Falwell were required by the I.R.S. to disclose that they had paid back taxes in settling disputes in recent years."

[Generic Other]

13. The St Pete Times has a far more impressive record than scientology!

They are dumb to start a war with the paper because they don't like what the paper uncovers about their sleazeball "religion."

[dmr]

14. Thing is they'll go after individuals: reporters, editor, editorial board, their families

they apparently know no bounds, and have the money to do it.

It is shamefully disturbing, and scary.

[Name removed]

15. Deleted message

Sub-thread removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Dr.Phool]

16. Next month, I'm moving my father into a retirement home.

It's just a couple of blocks from their world headquarters in Clearwater. I should check into the place a little deeper, since Scientology owns damn near half of downtown Clearwater.

[Are_grits_groceries]

17. Paging 4chan. Paging Mr.4chan. nt

[Initech]

18. Scientology is pure evil.

[snake in the grass]

19. madfloridian

you are one of my favourite reads on DU and I'm sorry to have hijacked your thread for my sarcasm, but while reading it I was quite surprised by the toleration of insults toward the "Church of Scientology" (after all, it is recognized as a legitimate religion by our government). I don't know if there are scientologists on DU. It's probably very unlikely, however, how would they feel about hearing that their worldview is 'shit' as someone put it? Either we can pick and choose or we afford everyone an equal opportunity.

Better, of course, would be the ability to discuss these things openly.

As you can see, the sub-thread was deleted, as I expected it would be, although there was nothing offensive about it. Point made.

And for the record, I'm an atheist and an anti-theist. For me there is no difference between Scientology and .

Please excuse my exuberance.

For others reading this post, engage me in a comparative discussion of religion at your own risk. I feel it would have no purpose, as it would, most likely, be quickly deleted. I am, however, open to private discussions.

;-)

[KamaAina]

20. snake in the grass

I was quite surprised by the toleration of insults toward the "Iraq War" (after all, it is recognized as a legitimate war by our government).

:sarcasm:

[RaleighNCDUer]

21. The difference between scientology and other religions is that this

is the only one we have on record with the founder saying "if you want to get rich, start a religion".

The others at least make a pretense at having some spiritual basis - this is just a con game, plain and simple, and anyone with an IQ over 17 should be able to see it. Of course, like all cults, it preys on the rootless and hopeless, and gives them THE ANSWER (or at least the promise of the answer after you've paid for a quarter million dollars or more worth of 'training'}.

I, also, am an atheist - and I see a BIG difference between religions and this criminal enterprise. This is no more a religion is than was Bernie Madoff's scam.

[snake in the grass]

23. I can assure you...

...my IQ is well above 17. Just because we don't have it on record that some church leader said, "Let's make money," doesn't mean that something along those lines didn't happen. As a matter of fact, I'm certain it didn't take long for someone to figure out the con. My original post sought to point out the comedic value of bashing Scientology, while simultaneously taking a defensive position toward other religions; religions which also cause serious harm. Case in point, the RCC with their never-ending scandal regarding institutionalized pedophilia, and, yet, one must be very careful here when expressing criticism.

Furthermore, as insidious as Scientology is, it still has a lot of catching up to do to match the Abrahamic religions in bloodshed and theft. The RCC's policy on condoms alone causes tens of thousands to suffer and die in developing nations each year. Where's the outrage? Churches in the U.S. are allowed to preach hatred and bigotry, things that gave up Prop 8 in California in 2008, yet we have to be respectful of their beliefs? Religion is a tool to oppress women, homosexuals, people of other ethnicities, people of other religions...you name it, it's already been done. A good friend of mine converted from Judaism to Catholicism a few years back. She has been married three times and wanted "God's" blessing on her current one, so the church offered her the possibility of annulling the first two - cost: $750 a pop. How is that not a scam? How does that make sense in any way?

For those who think it, I am not defending the Scientologists at all. The world would be better off without them, but the same counts for the other fairy tale-based belief constructs, which fill people's heads with notions of their inherent iniquity and then offer them the only path to salvation. In truth, they are all about money and power. I see no difference.

[liberal_rxstudent]

24. !

I must admit that I do share your view towards religion. How refreshing to know that there are others out there with the capacity to THINK! seems like I rarely come across anyone with an IQ over 17 anymore any how. Oh, good luck to your friend and her "blessed" marriage! I know quite a few people (oh, and they are all religious fanatics, of course!) who have been through multiple spouses and genuinely believe that 'God' will make their 4th or 5th marriage the one that lasts. yeah. I bet. ;)

[Kievan Rus]

22. I was just standing here...Tom Cruise locked himself in the closet!