From: sooner@gate.net (Rod Proctor)
Newsgroups: alt.religion.scientology
Subject: harassment of journalists
Date: Wed, 14 May 1997 18:40:12 GMT
Organization: CyberGate, Inc.
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Keyword: scientology harassment journalist

I received not long ago a three-page letter from Scientology's Public Affairs 
Director, Karin Pouw, taking issue with opinions that I -- acting off-duty and 
as a private citizen -- had expressed in the alt.religion.scientology 
newsgroup some weeks back. It was jarring enough that Scientology had gone to 
the effort to discover both where I work and my specific job title 
(information that I have never disclosed on Usenet). But something even more 
chilling was included at the end of that letter: A CC notice to the editor of 
my newspaper -- my top boss.

Their intent was quite clear: Let his boss know what he's writing (in his off 
time as a private citizen) and he'll choose to shut up.

These people are again trying what they've managed to do so well in the past: 
Silence those who disagree through intimidation.

Us Netizans are, rightly, concerned with the chilling effect the 
Communications Decency Act could have on our ability to freely communicate 
ideas. But it seems to me that the ongoing tactics of Scientology pose a 
greater threat to that free exchange than anything Congress has dreamed up. 
The tactics of Scientology -- aimed personally and individually at our very 
livelihoods -- can be far more effective at silencing dissent than anything 
government could possibly come up with.

My job as an editor does not require that I hold no opinion. Hell, were I 
opinion-free, it would indicate a lack of knowledge and awareness that would 
render me unfit for my job. My profession requires only that I avoid true 
conflicts of interest, and that I be able to set my opinions aside when 
judging the importance, value and credibility of news -- which I consciously 
strive to do, every single day.

Rod Proctor
sooner@gate.net