MUFON Massachusetts PIPEline - 1987 09

Magazine Overview

Title: P.I.P.E. LINE
Issue: #21
Date: September, 1987
Publisher: MUFON PUBLIC RELATIONS DIR.
Country: USA
Language: English

This issue of the P.I.P.E. Line newsletter from MUFON focuses on internal organizational matters, the controversial MJ-12 documents, and strategic approaches to public information.

P.I.P.E. Meeting Held

The annual P.I.P.E. Committee meeting took place on Friday, June 26, in Washington, D.C. Most members were present, with the exception of Ray Fowler, John Schuessler, and Budd Hopkins. The primary agenda item, which consumed the entire meeting time, was the new Media Policy Guidelines. These guidelines were approved by the committee after a lengthy and heated discussion. Subsequently, on Sunday morning, the Board of Directors also voted to approve them. The article notes that a separate article in the P.I.P.E. Line will delve deeper into these guidelines.

The significance of the Media Policy Guidelines is highlighted as a substantial step towards professionalism and responsible public information dissemination. The author stresses that failure by members to take these guidelines seriously would indicate a lack of interest in professionalism and in improving MUFON's standards.

Unfinished Agenda

Due to time constraints and the extensive discussion on the Media Policy Guidelines, several planned agenda items were omitted. These included setting goals for the year, deciding on the continuation or elimination of National UFO Information Week, and compiling a comprehensive package for State Directors. The newsletter aims to cover these remaining items through future P.I.P.E. Line publications and to hopefully resolve or achieve them.

MJ-12 Controversy Heats Up

This section addresses the controversy surrounding the MJ-12 documents, framing it as a 'disaster' that offers a valuable lesson. The article recalls that from the moment the documents were made public, some researchers cautioned about the risks associated with a lack of authentication and insufficient investigation. However, the desire to believe led some to overlook objectivity, and those who advised caution were attacked by proponents of the MJ-12 documents.

Following numerous inquiries, researchers received detailed explanations demonstrating why the MJ-12 documents were not authentic. The article specifically mentions a forthcoming disclaimer from the National Archives regarding the Cutler memo, which reinforces the researchers' contention that the widespread publicity of these documents was premature and unwise. The controversy has also alienated researchers who feel that some within MUFON use the guise of 'scientific investigation' to promote unscientific work.

Loss of Barry Greenwood

The newsletter reports a significant loss for MUFON with the resignation of researcher, author, and historian Barry Greenwood. His departure is described as a great loss to the P.I.P.E. Committee. The author urges members to learn from this experience to set priorities straight and ensure that all documents released to the media are authenticated first. The article praises Greenwood as one of the few researchers as knowledgeable and dedicated to the UFO subject, possessing UFO archives that are nearly as complete and extensive as any others. The loss of Greenwood is deemed too costly a price to pay for the sake of publicity for unauthenticated documents.

Media Policy Guidelines Must Be Supported

Given the current volume of UFO-related articles in the media, adherence to the Media Policy Guidelines is deemed extremely important. Members are urged to forward any articles or editorials containing inaccuracies or incorrect information about the UFO subject to the office. This will enable MUFON to submit corrections or letters to the editor.

A complete text of the Media Policy Guidelines will be published in an upcoming issue of the MUFON UFO Journal. The article reiterates that since MUFON is not primarily a scientific investigative organization due to resource and manpower limitations, its most crucial function is to provide accurate public information on the UFO subject to the media, the public, the scientific community, and government officials.

Selective Public Information: More Effective?

For three years, MUFON has requested support from State Directors and organizations for National UFO Info. Week, but participation has diminished. This prompts a question about the worth of the effort and funds required for this initiative. The article proposes an alternative: 'selective public information.' This approach would involve concentrating public information efforts on individuals in positions to significantly benefit the subject, such as targeting the media, government officials, the academic community, scientists, and foundations or individuals with research funding.

Readers are asked for their thoughts on this matter to help plan the public information and education program for the upcoming year. This idea was briefly discussed in Washington but received no feedback from committee members.

Goals for 1987

Members are encouraged to consider goals for the 1987-88 period. When formulating these goals, consideration should be given to the current state of UFOlogy, including 'abduction mania,' the MJ-12 controversy, the subject's media popularity, and its relegation to a 'pop culture type belief system.' Members are asked to submit their suggestions promptly, as the compiled list will be included in the next issue of the P.I.P.E. Line.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around organizational improvement, particularly in public information and media relations, and a critical examination of how UFO research is conducted and presented. The editorial stance is one of promoting professionalism, rigorous authentication of evidence, and strategic public outreach. There is a clear emphasis on responsible information dissemination and a cautious approach to sensational claims, as exemplified by the discussion on the MJ-12 documents and the call for members to support the new Media Policy Guidelines.