Rival publishers and broadcasters regularly take swings at each other in the battle for circulation and ratings. But when their collective “freedom” to spread unmitigated lies and assassinate character is even challenged, they promptly close ranks.
Having been denied any right of reply on Channel 4, Church of Scientology representatives decided to place paid advertisements describing how the “Secret Lives” show had been constructed, and responding to some of the specific false allegations it repeated.
Yet even newspapers which enjoy some reputation for “responsible” journalism refused to run the advertisement: The Times, The Guardian, The Independent, The Observer, The Evening Standard—all were unwilling to question the ethical standards of another media colleague. To such publishers, “freedom of the press” obviously refers only to their freedom. They would not even permit an opposing view or another side of the story if paid.
It is difficult to imagine anything more finely making the point of the need for true media reform.
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Documentary video covering
the tactics of 3BM and Channel 4
For a copy of the video, “The People of ‘Secret Lives’: Merchants of Chaos”,
contact Freedom, Saint Hill Manor, East Grinstead, West Sussex RH19 4JY
or at editor@freedommag.org
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If you want the real story on L. Ron Hubbard,
contact Freedom or visit the World Wide Web at:
