CISU Sicilia - No 04 - speciale giugno 1997

Magazine Overview

This is a special issue of CISU SICILIA, an occasional bulletin from the Regional Coordination for Sicily of the Italian Center for Ufological Studies (CISU). Dated June 1997, it is dedicated to the 50th anniversary of ufology, marked by the famous sighting by Kenneth Arnold on June 24, 1947. The issue aims to provide a historical overview and critically assess the current landscape of ufological information, particularly concerning media coverage and publications.

In primo piano: Cinquant'anni per due ufologie

The editorial, titled "In primo piano: Cinquant'anni per due ufologie" (Foreground: Fifty Years for Two Ufologies), highlights that fifty years after the initial sightings, ufology has diverged into two distinct paths. The first path, inherited from pioneers like Kenneth Arnold, has grown and matured through serious research, often collaborating with academia and authorities. The second path, termed 'discovolantology,' has moved away from field research and data analysis towards sensationalism and propaganda, catering to media business and audience demands. This 'discovolantology' populates the media with sensational stories, bizarre characters, and outlandish theories, creating a distorted and misleading public image of the UFO phenomenon. The editorial expresses concern about this pervasive disinformation and states that the special issue aims to counter it by presenting the 'other' ufology, that represented by CISU.

The bulletin offers its support to media outlets wishing to cover the UFO issue during the National Information Week from June 21 to 29.

Il panorama: L'INVASIONE NELLE EDICOLE...

This section, "Il panorama: L'INVASIONE NELLE EDICOLE..." (The Panorama: The Invasion in Newsstands...), discusses the boom in ufological publishing. It notes the proliferation of books, periodicals, and even encyclopedias on the subject. However, it laments the lack of qualitative improvement, with much of the information being inaccurate, superficial, and incorrect. The author criticizes the tendency to sensationalize minor events, elevate marginal figures to expert status, and lose sight of the real UFO phenomenon, which involves sightings, investigations, and analysis. The section aims to provide a critical guide to this publishing surge.

Several publications are reviewed:

• IL GIORNALE DEI MISTERI: Founded in March 1971, this monthly publication by Corrado Tedeschi (editor: Fulvio Canglia) is described as a general interest magazine covering paranormal phenomena, with a limited focus on ufology since early 1996. It features contributions from veteran ufologists like Pier Luigi Sani (CUN) and Giuseppe Stilo (CISU).
• NOTIZIARIO UFO: A long-standing bi-monthly publication (since January 1966) by Cappetta, edited by Roberto Pinotti. Originally an internal organ of CUN, it attempted to reach newsstands in 1978 and 1983 with mixed success. Relaunched in July 1995, it is criticized for deviating from its earlier balanced approach, becoming more sensationalist and focused on 'cover-up' narratives.
• DOSSIER ALIENI: A bi-monthly publication (since July 1996) by Futuro snc, edited by Roberto Pi- (presumably Roberto Pinotti). It is characterized as folkloristic and pro-ET. The review is highly critical, calling it a 'commercial' magazine that focuses heavily on occupants, greys, and conspiracy theories, even linking aliens to the spread of AIDS and Ebola. It is accused of reprinting sensationalist articles and promoting pseudo-ufological paranoia.
• I MISTERI: A monthly magazine (since March 1995) by Edizioni Cicė srl, edited by Sebastiano Fusco. It aims for broad coverage of the unusual, with a significant focus on ufology. While attempting a balanced approach and avoiding extreme positions, it is noted for its sensationalist titles and sometimes questionable articles.
• UFO MAGAZINE: A bi-monthly publication (since October-November 1996) by Edizioni Cioè srl, edited by Sebastiano Fusco. It originated as a special insert for 'I Misteri' and is dedicated to the X-Files phenomenon. It features a mix of content, sometimes contradictory, drawing from various sources. Its future is uncertain, depending on the continuation of the X-Files series.

...E NELLE LIBRERIE...

This section, "...E NELLE LIBRERIE..." (In the Bookstores...), reviews recent books on ufology published since 1993, driven by the success of films like 'Independence Day' and 'Mars Attacks!'. The author notes the difficulty in serious ufological divulgation due to the broad scope of the topic and the prevalence of sensationalist authors. The review categorizes books by publisher:

• BOMPIANI: Published two books by Roberto Pinotti: 'UFO Top Secret' (1995), alleging a global conspiracy to hide extraterrestrial reality, and 'UFO: visitatori da altrove' (1995), an updated reprint of a 1974 book covering UFO history.
• FABBRI: Published 'UFO' (1996) by Roger Bear and Nigel Blundell, a collection of classic sightings.
• MONDADORI: Published Pinotti's 'UFO scacchiere Italia' (1996) and 'Angeli, Dei, Astronavi' (1993). It also published John Mack's controversial 'Rapiti - incontri con gli alieni' (1995), based on interviews with alleged abductees.
• GRUPPO FUTURA JACKSON LIBRI: Published Richard Boylan's 'Incontri ravvicinati tra umani ed extraterrestri' (1996), which analyzes abduction experiences.
• SPERLING & KUPFER: Reprinted 'Accadde a Roswell' (1996) by Charles Berlitz and William Moore.
• New entries: 'Qualcuno mi parla di voi' (1997) by Bulgarian psychic Teodora Stefanova, who claims to channel an extraterrestrial entity.
• MEDITERRANEE: Known for reprinting 1970s contactee material, it published 'Alieni in Italia' (1996) by Moreno Tambellini, 'Rapiti dagli UFO' (1996) by Karia Turner, and 'Il caso Roswell' (1997) by Gildas Bourdais.
• ARMENIA: In collaboration with CISU, published three new volumes: 'FBI dossier UFO - i veri X-files' by Paolo Toselli, focusing on the FBI's interest in UFOs; 'Prigionieri di un UFO' (1997) by John Fuller, updating the Caponi case; and 'Gli UFO: cinquant'anni di ufologia tra fantasia e realtà' (1997), an anthology of articles.
• TRE EDITORI: Published 'A colazione con gli UFO' (1997) by Massimo Vallosauro, featuring Q&A and case studies, and 'Wilhelm Reich ed il segreto dei dischi volanti' (1996) by Alessandro Zabini.

The section criticizes the commercial nature of many of these books, often filled with false or distorted information, promoting conspiracy theories, and catering to a cultist fringe of ufology. It warns that while potentially interesting for critical readers, they can be dangerous for the average reader.

...E NELLE VIDEOTECHE

This section, "...E NELLE VIDEOTECHE" (In the Video Libraries...), reviews a series of UFO-themed VHS tapes produced by RCA Columbia Tristar between 1992 and 1995. While intended to boost ufological divulgation, the series is criticized for offering nothing new or significant, presenting a biased, sensationalist, and often fallacious view of the UFO phenomenon. The tapes are accused of promoting the idea of alien contact as a given truth without adequate proof, often using translated materials and sensationalist imagery. Despite receiving endorsement from the National Ufological Center, the series is seen as commercially driven and potentially harmful to serious ufological research due to its lack of critical depth and reliance on questionable sources.

• Specific tapes mentioned include:
• 'UFO: Le prove - foto e filmati sensazionali' (1992)
• 'UFO segreto di stato - L'inchiesta: cosa nasconde il governo USA?' (1992)
• 'UFO: sono fra noi - la verità sugli UFO precipuani' (1992)
• 'UFO: il contatto - incontri ravvicinati del quarto tipo' (1992)
• 'UFO: dossier Europa - dal Terzo Reich ai filmati 1980-1990' (1993)
• 'UFO i rapimenti - analisi di un mistero' (1993)
• 'UFO: non identificati - l'inchiesta "Guardian"' (1994)
• 'UFO: intrusi dal cielo - 1991-1992: obelisco Alessico' (1994)
• 'UFO: L'enigma Meier - contatti dalle Pleiadi' (1995)
• 'UFO: Roswell. la verità - oltre la congiura del silenzio' (1995)

The section concludes that while the series achieved significant circulation, it has become a primary source of information for a young, inexperienced audience, leading to the spread of misinformation and outdated theories.

CHI SIAMO, DOVE SIAMO

This final section, "CHI SIAMO, DOVE SIAMO" (Who We Are, Where We Are), provides contact information for the CISU representatives in Sicily. It lists:

• Antonio Blanco: Regional Coordinator, Via Firenze, 109, 95020 Cannizzaro (CT).
• Antonio Rampulla: Local Representative, c/o Blanco, Viale Jonio, 84, 95129 Catania.
• Giuseppe Verdi: Local Representative, Via Bologna, 4, 97019 Vittoria (RG).

It also acknowledges contributions from Antonio Blanco, Salvatore Foresta, Gian Paolo Grassino, Matteo Leone, Antonio Rampulla, Paolo Toselli, and Giuseppe Verdi for this special issue.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the historical significance of the 50th anniversary of ufology, the critical analysis of media and publishing in relation to UFOs, and the distinction between serious research and sensationalized 'discovolantology.' The editorial stance is clearly in favor of rigorous, evidence-based ufological investigation and against the spread of misinformation and conspiracy theories that dominate much of the popular media. CISU Sicilia positions itself as a proponent of the 'serious' ufology, aiming to provide accurate information and counter the pervasive 'disinformation' in the field.