Letter to District Convention Comitees in the USA, 1987-06-08: Michael Jackson

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June 8,1987

DISTRICT CONVENTION COMMITTEES IN THE UNITED STATES

Dear Brothers:

There has been some publicity given in recent days concerning Michael Jackson. The substance of these reports deal with his disassociating himself from the organization of Jehovah's Witnesses. Some phone calls have also been received about a Society letter, copies of which have apparently been made available to the news media as well as others, to the effect that he does not consider himself to be one of Jehovah's Witnesses and that the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society does not consider Michael Jackson to be one of Jehovah's Witnesses.

There is no need for the news service department or others to make any comments with regard to personalities outside of those who are on the convention program and the speakers to be quoted in the news releases that you have as part of the News Service Kit.

In the event that representatives of the news media or others may approach your convention news service department and inquire about Michael Jackson and his position, it would be best for the brothers in charge not to comment. They should simply say that they have heard or know about the news reports and have no further comment. As to any letter, the district convention committees or personnel did not write the letter and so they are not in a position to comment on it.

Guidelines have already been provided as to how the news service department can handle matters with regard to program material that we wish to have publicized.

May Jehovah's rich blessing be upon the convention program and all that is done to make known the good news of the Kingdom. Please be assured of our love and best wishes.

Your brothers,

Nathaniel B. W. Bentley

OF NEW YORK, INC.