Scientologists eliminate anti-Scientology ad campaign venue

[February 26, 1999]

 
In Pinellas County, Florida, messages warning against Scientology were featured on 10 buses in December 1998. The ad campaign, purchased by Former Scientologists Speaking Out, included slogans reading, "Think for Yourself. Quit Scientology" and "Why does Scientology lie to its members?" As soon as the ads appeared, Scientology contacted city representatives at their homes citing a state law prohibiting anonymous hate messages against religious groups. Roger Sweeney, director of the Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority (PSTA), pulled the buses off the road immediately with two days remaining on the advertising contract. Scientology further attempted to shut out the ads by trying to purchase all bus advertising for January and February of 1999 at a cost of approximately $70,000.

On February 24, 1999, the PSTA board met and decided its buses will not be a "public forum" for advertisers, voting unanimously to immediately incorporate a new policy that bus ads be limited to "a commercial transaction" only. PSTA's new policy will prohibit both pro- and anti-Scientology messages alike, and will also exclude public service messages traditionally purchased by such groups as the Salvation Army and the United Way.

Ads previously purchased by the Salvation Army such as "Your Gift Keeps on Giving" and "God Bless You" will be one casualty of the new policy. The Salvation Army bus ads represented part of a campaign that boosted contributions at Salvation Army kettles by 23 percent during the holiday season, said Charles Coles, development director for the Salvation Army of South Pinellas County. Told of the new policy, Coles commented, "I'm sorry to hear that...non-profit groups enhance the community... I would hope that fact is recognized in the policies of those who make these decisions," according to the St. Petersburg Times.

Gateway, PSTA's advertising agency, estimates the new policy will adversely affect 15 to 20 percent of the transit agency's advertising market income. Gateway will in the immediate future consult closely with PSTA to help interpret and uphold the new policy. For example, Gateway is uncertain whether Health Department ads for federal housing are considered a "commercial transaction." The same problem arises with a local Baptist church that in the past often advertised a book on PSTA buses. These clients represent lost opportunities for Gateway.

Opponents of PSTA's new policy called it a violation of the First Amendment and said they plan to challenge it in court. Frank Oliver, Former Scientologists Speaking Out spokesman, stated, "It is regrettable that this issue will have to be settled through litigation." He felt that the PSTA board acted too quickly in an effort to appease Scientology, which he said used "the law as a tool to suppress someone's rights."

Scientology attorney Paul B. Johnson praised the PSTA board for deliberating "in a very careful way" and said the decision was "a sound one in keeping with the law." He said that no pressure was placed on the PSTA board by Scientology.

Source: St. Petersburg Times, February 25, 1999