Volume 30, Issue 2 Honesty& $2.50 Investigative reporting Published by the Church of Scientology in the public interest since 1968 Integrity THE The qualities you look for in people. The qualities you look for in a magazine. GREAT BRAIN INJURY Name: Address: City: Country: SCAM Postal Code: How a billion-dollar 60 issues.........................$75.00 cross-border psychiatric 24 issues.........................$33.75 12 issues.........................$22.50 scheme is feeding off Church of Scientology International Non-Profit Org victims of tragedy U.S. Postage Freedom Magazine PAID 6331 Hollywood Blvd., Suite 1200 Los Angeles, CA Los Angeles, CA 90028-6329 Permit No. 3508 INTERNETPage USERS 2 •VICTORY FOR CREATORS, From the Editor’s Desk prisons and jails hold no less than 1,725,000 men and women — an unprecedented increase of more than 96,100 inmates over the prior year. Consider that “solutions” to The potential peril the crime problem on most tables of govern- The ment are calls for more prisons, a proposi- tion beneficial only to the contractors who would build them. (Indeed, jail and prison of searching for the construction is a leading growth industry.) And consider that outside our borders, well in excess of a billion people live under other Pursuit forms of confinement, governed by regimes which deny fundamental human rights ultimate answers to life. mandated by the Universal Declaration on Human Rights. These are among the matters we examine in this edition of Freedom, broad of challenges which cry out for broad discus- sion and address. We encourage journalists and citizens at large to dig in to these and other social concerns and problems with an eye to ideas and solutions. As we at Freedom reflect on 30 years as the Church Truth of Scientology’s voice for public service jour- nalism, we feel the time is more right than hen French which affect the lives of millions. A politician ever to take a longer view of the world with political once remarked, “If you can’t convince them, the objective of making it a better place in philosopher confuse them,” and recent events show that, the coming millennium. Charles de at least for many in news media and those Much of the news media, crying out for W Montesquieu behind the scenes who craft their messages “reform” in others, itself could stand a good set out guidelines for and content, this advice has been taken to deal of introspection and reforming. In a modern state in the heart, and deeply so. missing crucial aspects of the larger picture, 18th century, he not Surveys show the public at large to be the media does both itself and its consumers only laid the founda- increasingly wise to this problem. A recent a monumental disservice. In stressing con- tion for the French survey by the Roper Center at the University troversy and conflict, they miss that few Revolution but ulti- of Connecticut found that 54 percent of beyond certain sports fans enjoy witnessing mately for the U.S. Americans feel that the news media “gets in fights. In undervaluing clarity and direct- Constitution. the way” of solving society’s problems. ness, they undermine democracy, given the Aron C. Mason The principle of Leading the list of reasons for that percep- media is the intelligence service of a democ- Editor in Chief dividing government tion: Sensationalism. ratic people. Biased or false accounts are power into three A recent case in point involves the deadly in an intelligence system. separate but equal parts — legislative, exec- nation’s highest elected office and the forces Franklin Roosevelt observed that “The utive and judicial — has, ever since, been mustered in a quest for the office-holder’s truth is found when men are free to pursue fundamental to democracy and preservation professional and personal demise. it.” We encourage all readers to exercise And they pack more punch than anything of individual liberty. There can be no doubt that immoral and their freedom to seek out the truth, and to Burnt feet. But over the years, a “fourth power” has dishonest conduct is intolerable and, if champion enhancing that freedom both for you ever studied on the subject of the mind, emerged with an ever-greater presence on found and proven in any sphere of govern- themselves and those not so free. And, as Walking on hot coals may be fun for a parlor ment, Americans should not disregard it. But spirit and life. the stage of national affairs. And by closer always, we welcome your views. game, but it sure feels stupid when you wind up analysis, this fourth factor appears, in many in all the media grandstanding and the “CNN Real answers work. They lead somewhere. respects, to have elevated itself to its own effect” — efforts to keep news broadcasts back at the beginning with the same questions you “higher ground.” filled 24 hours a day — certain very critical You can use them. That’s Scientology. I am speaking of a power almost entirely factors are lost. One is the presumption of had when you started. If you value your future, if you’re a friend outside government control: the influence of innocence until guilt is proven. Another is Visit Freedom Who are you? Where do you come from? the press. that media sensationalization of unproven to you, if you want to help others, read Battles between the press and govern- allegations can cause not only unjustifiable Where are you going? ment are as old as history. And the same personal harm to the accused, but also, in on the Scientology: The Fundamentals of Thought by history teaches, rightly, that a free press is this case, to the standing of the United States Did you ever wonder if the answers were sitting author and philosopher L. Ron Hubbard. often the best check against political in the world community. It is undeniable right under your nose? tyranny. that to dwell relentlessly on questions of World Wide Web Your search is over, but the adventure has But what happens if and when the media presidential misconduct based on unproven So here’s something different. No mumbo itself becomes party to efforts to violate the allegations has the corollary effect of hurting Freedom Magazine has its own web site just begun. at http://www.freedommag.org featuring rights and freedoms of others? not just the president but the presidency. jumbo. No initiation. No human sacrifices. ® It is not difficult to find examples where There is another side to the news media the most recent issues of our U.S. edition, vigorous press campaigns have influenced law- coin: those very important issues which as well as foreign issues including the Just the facts. makers to accept measures for which there touch countless lives and yet receive virtu- popular German edition. was no pressing need. Similarly, the press can ally no media notice, cast aside in favor of Back issues and additional international cause the government to minimize or exagger- more “sensational” issues. By way of highly editions are being added regularly. Join the Know yourself. Know life. ate its efforts to enforce existing laws. pertinent examples, consider that the U.S. many users who browse through the site. And then there is the matter of obscuring Justice Department’s Bureau of Justice Pick up a copy wherever books are sold or call 1-800-334-LIFE or write to or distracting from issues and information Statistics just announced that the nation’s Bridge Publications, 4751 Fountain Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90029 © 1997 CSI. All Rights Reserved. SCIENTOLOGY is a trademark and service mark owned by Religious Technology Center and is used with its permission. L. Ron Hubbard top wants it that way. This is called “molding public opinion.” Cover Story Psychiatric front groups wanted Scientology defamed. So the “Scientology The Great Brain Injury Scam 6 Story” was invented out of whole cloth and written without a single reporter going near News the subjects’ founder for all the 14 years of Investigative reporting Published by the Church of Scientology his active leadership of its organizations! in the public interest since 1968 Victory for Creators, Internet Users 2 False “Scientology bulletins” were run off U.S. Court of Appeals Hands Down and distributed. Quotes never spoken were printed. But nobody ever asked the head of Landmark Civil Rights Ruling 4 the movement anything and tore up and Cover: Operation didn’t print every press handout that was Restore Trust — the Human Rights issued. The tide has turned now. There was law enforcement Turning The Tide 12 nothing wrong in the first place. initiative to clean up Embracing Tolerance 16 The false reports issued about Scientology are a grim example of how a health care fraud — German Harassment special privilege group like psychiatry can Condemned by State Department 20 use mass news media and the Establishment has recovered billions to try to eradicate competitors. in funds swindled from Advisory Committee Cites Scientologists are neither violent nor “Harassment, Intimidation political. They are a technical church group, American citizens. and Violence” 22 working successfully in the field of mental But its success is as health. Human Rights for All The false reports were so false that at last much a cause for Leading by Example 22 the public refused to believe them. Even the An Alternative to better reporters began to turn against fur- alarm as it is for thering the attack anymore. It was just too praise. Freedom “Revolving Door Justice” 26 corny. Wiping Out Crime 28 Groups less sane and less stable than the examines a bizarre Scientologists, minorities who are not able to “industry” structured handle such situations calmly as the Scientologists have, begin to stockpile to profit from Human Rights Leadership Profile weapons and throw stones and have a go at the police.