American Atheist Newsletter
AMERICAN ATHEISTS AND THE MEDIA
By Ellen Johnson, President
October 1996
October 1996
Absence makes the heart grow fonder. Does this explain the media's recent interest in the missing Murray-O'Hair family? I have been getting a lot of calls for interviews. Good you say? I used to think so. I used to think that giving interviews would allow us to publicize our many activities and outreaches. Wrong. I have learned for myself what the Murray-0'Hairs have always said, that the media aren't interested in reporting the Atheist viewpoint on issues.
In the last twelve months I have issued at least one half dozen press releases on various state-church separation issues and other issues of concern to Atheists. The response from the media has been an overwhelming silence. Yet the same media that won't respond to our press releases tell us repeatedly that I should cooperate with them on their stories about the disappearance of the Murray-O'Hairs because they are such important people. The truth is the only thing the media consider the Murray-O'Hairs important for is advertising revenue.
I, however, think that the work the Murray-O'Hairs have done and the things they stand for are important.
When reporters call, I tell them there isn't anything new to report on the disappearance. However, I tell them that I would be happy to talk to them about issues like the current attacks on science, the proposed Religious Equality Amendment, the Parental Rights and Responsibilities Act and vouchers. And I do want to talk about our educational outreach efforts. Then the reporters play the following game. They let me discuss those issues, but they never appear in print. Only my comments about the Murray-O'Hairs get printed. Fool me once, shame on me.
I am tired of the media's insistence on always interviewing people who will criticize Madalyn Murray-O'Hair, instead of quoting the people who admire and respect her. Would they do that with a missing archbishop? I am also tired of reporters who don't have the common sense to record interviews so they can accurately report and explain what I say. These are some of the reasons why I have turned down most recent interview requests.
The only people I have an obligation to inform are you. In that regard, I can report to those of you who haven't already heard, that on 24 September; Bill Murray, the son of Madalyn O'Hair who, by bashing his mother in public makes money as a professional Fifth-Commandment breaker, finally filed a "request to locate" his mother, brother, and Robin with the Austin Police Department. The police have now begun an investigation. If it should turn out that the Murray-O'Hairs, one or all, are still alive and are located by the police, Bill will be told their status but not their address.
Coincidentally, Robin's car was found at the Robert Mueller Municipal Airport in Austin, Texas. The police have checked the car and found "nothing suspicious," but would not tell American Atheists when the car had been left there. How can one evaluate hypotheses of foul play if one does not know the timing of the parking of the car? How can other hypotheses concerning the disappearance be evaluated without this information? We expect the media will expand upon these developments in ways we can't foresee - except for the certainty that they will provide yet further opportunities for Madalyn bashers to vent their spleens and exercise their imaginations.
Let the media call me all they want about it. I've got important work to do and the only thing I shall have to say to them is "no comment."
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