Forbes saying Tom Cruise was there...why, because they saw his photo in the Daily Mail? The press has the same problem with Scientology that has always existed to some degree. Scientology is secretive and complicated. They lie a lot. They don't open their events up to the press or public, so the press relies on press releases from the cult, or what other [equally unreliable] media says. They don't need to do this anymore.
This is all dumb, when they could be consulting with Tony Ortega on everything. There is an expert on Scientology and current developments and it is Tony. He has the experience. He has the sources, both in number and quality. He knows what sources are reliable and what sources are less reliable. And he's built up his network of sources and his reputation so that he doesn't ever have to rely on one sketchy source.
For basic information they also have Reitman and Wright.
It is frustrating, both for the press and more informed readers, when the press can't ask basic questions of Scientology spokesholes and get answers about things like when the radio station will begin, what kind of content to expect from the TV station and when does that begin broadcasting. It's not like Scientology is an individual who wants to keep their privacy. They are blasting all this BS about the earth-shattering importance of their new media production facility, and they should be able to answer questions about it.
The press should confront Scientology with statements like, "There are critics who are saying this move to a new media facility is to get Scientology propaganda production away from the cult compound, site of former executive prison camp, The Hole, and make it more accessible for the non-Scientology actors your cult is forced to hire for many of your videos, since too many members keep leaving."
So I like that the Forbes writer suggests the place may remain largely empty -- that this is just about real estate acquisition and false fronts. That's closer to the truth than it being Tom Cruise's studio, where he will make movies, and the cult will be reaching everyone on Earth.
With the changing fortunes and reputation of Scientology, the press gets a kick out of repeating the cult's overblown statements, but at least many of them are mentioning Tony and other critics now.
It seems like one humorous byproduct of the false press regarding Cruise making movies there would be for reporters to ask Cruise that in an interview. "So when are you going to start filming a movie in YOUR new studio?" If that became a common misconception, it seems like Cruise's people would have to say, no, actually, it is not Cruise's studio, and he has no plans for making movies there either. Except for the one Tom Cruise Crazy Scientologist video, Mr. Cruise has never been active in their promotional materials as an actor.
Sure, it is possible that some friend close to Katie Holmes or a friend of someone close to a woman Tom Cruise is dating or co-starring with will reveal some juicy tidbits, but will we ever be able to distinguish it from the made-up crap? And with the big stuff, like Tom leaving Scientology, the press should corroborate this with several people, some who can be named, and preferably with Tom himself, before they put it in headlines like it's a sure thing.
The poor media is so starved for news about Tom Cruise, and he is in such a lockdown, not saying anything, except promoting his movies, that they are making up things about him. What do they expect? It's not like Cruise can talk about his happy family, or how he rules his household and family members according to the principles of LRH. We already know that from the Leah Remini book.
They shouldn't bother making up stuff about him. Mention that he's the most famous cult member if they have to, to get readers, and go on to the story. Scientology is fascinating for itself now, in its bloated real estate acquisitions, and drama that is created by separating families and trying to project an image of expansion while collapsing. Their delusions, like spending $32,000/year of their billions on the Way to Happiness Foundation, and that it is transforming society, making everyone happy after mass shootings or natural disasters, that's ridiculous. Pretty Moonie girls handing flowers to people in airports and then asking for a donation made people happier than Scientology's entire Way to Happiness program. But that wasn't transforming society either.
