MEDIA WATCH | DISNEY & HEARST

Disney—The Time is Always Right to do What is Right

What could be the motivation if not purely for profit? What’s the journalistic or societal benefit from this show that uses slanderous attacks based mainly on falsehoods and for the material gain of the network and a select cast of characters?

June 13, 2018

Nancy Dubuc, former CEO A&E Networks
Channing Dungey, Entertainment President ABC
Ben Sherwood, President Disney/ABC TV
Steven Swarz-CEO Hearst

Dear Nancy, Channing, Ben and Steve:

It’s been some time since I’ve written to such a gallant group of individuals. Gallant, because your network, A&E, appears to have taken on the dauntless task of dismantling religions. This began with your show Scientology, the Aftermath. It now appears you’ll be “franchising” these attacks to include other religions, such as the Jehovah’s Witnesses. If ratings are high enough, doubtless there will be others.

But why? What could be the motivation if not purely for profit? What’s the journalistic or societal benefit from this show that uses slanderous attacks based mainly on falsehoods and for the material gain of the network and a select cast of characters?

“One who deceives will always find those who allow themselves to be deceived.” Niccolo Machiavelli

I could be wrong about your motivations being solely for profit. Perhaps in some misguided and convoluted way your team engenders a wider mission, one that debases all religions. You could be unknowingly doing someone else’s bidding:

“Religion is the sigh of the oppressed creature, the heart of a heartless world, and the soul of soulless conditions. It is the opium of the people. The first requisite for the happiness of the people is the abolition of religion.” Karl Marx

Before producing an attack show that foments hate and involves unwitting advertisers, don’t you believe it would be prudent to consider all relevant facts about that group, including learning of their numerous good works and interviewing a sample of their faithful? In the case of the Scientologists, wouldn’t it have also been wise to consider the motivations of your “star” spokesperson, Remini? What were her motivations for attacking her former religion if not purely for fame and financial gain? Do you realize the entire propagation of the hatred espoused from this show and resulting attacks against individual Scientologists originates solely with this one money-hungry individual? You bought into her lies hook, line and sinker, without ever really looking for yourselves.

In Nancy’s own words:

“We need to get rid of bullying. We need to get rid of abuse. We need to get rid of harassment. We need to get rid of the casting couch. Instead, we need to build the bench.” Nancy Dubuc (www.brainyquote.com)

I don’t believe that you, Nancy, spoke these words with shallow intent. Why not make these desires a reality and quit attacking an important group whose real agenda is the betterment of all mankind? After all, you yourself said:

“The perseverance and the strength and the determination and the sacrifice that so many millions of people have had to endure to form this country is far greater than anything that we can really imagine.” And “If we can be changing some lives along the way, that's the holy grail on television.” Nancy Dubuc (www.brainyquote.com)

It’s time to move on from the farce and change lives for the better. The best alternative for your next production would be severing your ties with Remini. You could call it: Leah Remini—The Aftermath.

In the words of one of the greatest Americans: