Inside a PR mutiny: How Scientology's war on Prozac backfired in spectacular fashion - 2021-05-16

Inside a PR mutiny: How Scientology's war on Prozac backfired in spectacular fashion May 16, 2021, Tony Ortega, Underground Bunker

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Scientology's public image has taken a beating in recent years with revelations of abuse at every level of the organization. It's not the first time, however, that it's had to deal with a shattered image. Thirty years ago this month in May 1991, its efforts to rebuild its reputation were derailed by the publication of Richard Behar's classic exposé of Scientology, "The Thriving Cult of Greed and Power".

By the mid-1980s, the church's image was in ruins due to the exposure of the Guardian's Office in 1977, and the subsequent jailing of 11 top Scientology officials — including L. Ron Hubbard's wife. It suffered further damage from the years of internal turmoil that accompanied the rise of David Miscavige.

The church had relied for decades on Hubbard's own 'PR tech,' which he claimed was superior to any 'wog' alternatives. The disastrous coverage that had accompanied the trials of the indicted GO officials led Hubbard to admit privately that 'wog' assistance was needed after all. He secretly advised the new leadership around Miscavige that a small and "hungry" PR company should be brought in to assist Scientology.

Wikipedia cite:

{{cite news | author = Tony Ortega | title = Inside a PR mutiny: How Scientology's war on Prozac backfired in spectacular fashion | url = https://tonyortega.org/2021/05/16/inside-a-pr-mutiny-how-scientologys-war-on-prozac-backfired-in-spectacular-fashion/ | work = Underground Bunker | date = May 16, 2021 | accessdate = May 19, 2021 }}