Presenter(s): Alexander Har—Journalism and Political Science
Faculty Mentor(s): Dean Mundy
Session 3: Pens & Clicks are Mightier than a Sword…
Rajneeshpuram was a commune in central Oregon that was supported by the followers of Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh, an Indian guru practicing experimental therapy and a quasi-religion . The commune quickly came into conflict with the nearby retirement town, Antelope, and later the greater Oregon community of Wasco County, state courts, federal courts, and opposition organizations . The Rajneesh movement dominated the news, and the constant updates and statements put out by the Rajneesh press office, newspapers, and spokespersons meant the Rajneesh were covered constantly in the news . There is evidence that suggests that the commune acted purposefully to attract news for strategic gains . My central research question is: how did Rajneeshpuram use strategic communication to garner free publicity and what was the role of sensationalism in attracting free news coverage?
Using UO’s Special Collections Rajneesh Archive, I plan to analyze news stories in the form of newspaper clippings, magazines, notes from reporters covering Rajneeshpuram, Rajneesh ephemera, manuals, brochures, and any current Rajneeshee literature . I plan to look specifically for new stories that were sensationalist in coverage by analyzing headlines, bylines, leads of articles, and the language surrounding the commune . I also plan to analyze new stories that were made sensationalist by the members of the Rajneesh movement through sensationalist tactics by analyzing the language and content used by the Rajneesh channels . I expect to conclude that the commune Rajneeshpuram wanted as much coverage as possible and learn more about the tactics used at Rajneeshpuram to gain free publicity .