Opposers of Jehovah's Witnesses love to use the quote found in the 11/97 'Our Kingdom Ministry' Article "Good News on the Internet".The specific part of the quote in question is as follows:
"The purpose of our Web site [the Official Website of Jehovah's Witnesses] is, not to release new publications, but to make information available to the public in electronic format. THERE IS NO NEED for any individual to prepare Internet pages about Jehovah’s Witnesses, our activities, or our beliefs." - Our Kingdom Ministry; November 1997, p. 3 "Good News on the Internet" (Emphasis mine)
The Official Website of Jehovah's Witnesses have made "information available to the public in electronic format." But it would be a stretch to say that the wording "there is no need" is a direct prohibition on anyone who would also desire to make "information available to the public in electronic format." The wording "there is no need" means exactly what it says - that additional information posted on-line concerning Jehovah's Witnesses is NOT NECESSARY when one can simply refer an interested one toward the relevant article already available at the Official Website of Jehovah's Witnesses pertaining to the topic at hand. What better place to refer interested ones than to the Official or Authorized Websites of Jehovah's Witnesses themselves?
One thing about the internet is the problem of anonymity. I have seen many websites that claim to be favorable toward Jehovah's Witnesses but were actually set up by apostates looking to fool unsuspecting ones. If one wishes to not fall for this trap, then they should by all means always stick to what they know they can depend on - the Official Website of Jehovah's Witnesses.
Because the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society does not have any control over the content of other websites on the internet, it is very understandable that the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society does not want to be associated in any way with unauthorized websites, favorable or unfavorable. With this in mind, the managers of several pro-Witness websites (including this one) have posted the following disclaimer (or wording like it):
"This website is NOT an official website of the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society.
"This is a personal website that is not officially supported nor endorsed by the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society. The Watchtower Society cannot be held responsible for the content found on this blog/website.
"Links are offered here for additional reading, however the manager of this site does not necessarily support every comment on all of these sites. You are invited to conduct your own research.
"To those who are not Jehovah's Witnesses, please remember that if you are looking for the authoritative information on beliefs, practices and news releases you should look to the source at http://www.jw.org/en."
This is the chosen best answer by Elijah to a question on Yahoo Answers.
