A letter from the Governing Body inserted in the Witnesses' 2001 Yearbook acknowledges the damage that media attention is causing to the Witness organisation.
They state that "in many places there are also influential people who would like to suppress the worship of Jehovah. As we deal with these situations........"(p5)
Then on p20 they state: "Opposers continue to stir up public opinion against Jehovah's Witnesses, sometimes using the media or other public avenues to further their aims."
Apparently they were unable to mention the word Internet for fear of encouraging more of the R&F to investigate for themselves, so they used the term "other public avenues". 'Walking down the avenue' perhaps!
To try to stem the tide, they report that "In response, the Public Affairs Office in Brooklyn and Public Affairs Desks in many of the Society's branch offices spend considerable time in providing information that is used boldly to make known the truth to editors, journalists, and others."(p20)
They do not elaborate on who is being referred to as as "others". Who is being co-opted into the fray?
They urge the members to remain loyal "There is no reason to become disheartened, no matter what the enemy may be permitted to do."(p5)
Ozzie