As previously stated, the Church of Scientology has reaped many rewards from being in the public eye. After all, being a part of popular culture is the reason Dianetics gained enough success to become a fully fledged religion in the first place. Originally, L. Ron Hubbard was glad to give interviews on Scientology, and did so frequently. However, perhaps due to bad press, he later soured to the media, stating in 1965 that he was "not interested in sensationalism, personalities, or the complexities of Scientological methodology being discussed by the general public."(1) At the time, he was also "very alert to sue for slander." (1)It remains that the Church of Scientology is very against any negative press making its way to the public. On the other hand, Scientology officials seem quite at ease with media attention when it portrays the church in a favourable light. This is shown in their avid use of celebrity personalities in member recruitment.
Despite the church's frequent threats of legal action in the face of negative publicity, it is usually negative press that hits the headlines. The church's defensive reaction to every criticism has itself caused some drama in the headlines(2). Because they are so quick to deny any and all allegations, it is unlikely that the press or the public will give them the benefit of the doubt. Unfortunately for the church, there is usually very little evidence in their favour.
Negligence Case
One of the most highly publicized cases involving the Church of Scientology involves the death of a woman named Lisa McPherson. McPherson was involved in a minor traffic accident, and appeared uninjured. However, she reacted bizarrely, stripping off her clothes and wandering down the street. She was sent for psychological examination at a nearby hospital. However, because she was a Scientologist, representatives from the church soon came to collect her, explaining that their religion "opposes psychiatry." Against medical advice, she was released. She was kept at a Scientology-run hotel under 24 hour watch for 17 days, where she passed away. Her cause of death was determined to be severe dehydration, having been deprived water for at least five to ten days preceding her death. The church claimed that McPherson had spit out food and water and thrashed about, thus causing her own death. Regardless, they came under fire by the media with accusations of negligence causing death. As with most issues involving Scientology, their methods and beliefs made headlines along with McPherson's death. One such article can be seen here(3).
References:
1. Young, R. V. (1993). Scientology from inside out. Quill 81, 38-41.
2. Doherty, B. (2014). Sensational Scientology! The Church of Scientology and Australian tabloid television. Nova Religio 17(3), 38-63.
3. Frants, D. (1997, December 1). Distrust in Clearwater: A special report.; Death of a Scientologist heightens suspicions in a Florida town. The New York Times. Retrieved from http://www.nytimes.com/1997/12/01/us/distrust-clearwater-special-report-death-scientologist-heightens-suspicions.html
2. Doherty, B. (2014). Sensational Scientology! The Church of Scientology and Australian tabloid television. Nova Religio 17(3), 38-63.
3. Frants, D. (1997, December 1). Distrust in Clearwater: A special report.; Death of a Scientologist heightens suspicions in a Florida town. The New York Times. Retrieved from http://www.nytimes.com/1997/12/01/us/distrust-clearwater-special-report-death-scientologist-heightens-suspicions.html