They have been wanting to do it for a long time. Dateline special is the 911 for the Watchtower. I know many JWS saw they show, it had one of the three effects;
1) IT is only their side of the story. There is something not being told. Basically every one in the piece is a liar or against "Jehovah and his Organization"
2) Many know it is the Truth and will confronot to make changes. Unfortuatly they will be the ultimate price, Disfellowshipping.
3) Paralazation. A good person with common sense and reason will now be confronted with the issue, Is the Watchtower Jehovah's Organization. I don't see the regular rank-in-file Cathloic and other denomiations defend their pedophile clergy. Even th e Pope held a confrence, even though it did not bring much change.
All the Gb is doing is disfellowshipping the victims or those who assit them or are trying to bring about change.
Personaly, I believe they are the False Prophet of Rev 19:20 which everyone who reads the bible is looking for.
http://www.angelfire.com/fl2/nowaytess
I feel after a good org cleansing you are going to see a new breed of JW like many have never seen before. Very millitant and listen to the org even if Bible bears it unscriputal or past all common sense.
Wt can't contorl the internet. One threat the Internet brings is the freeflow of communication. It has cause a lot of damage long before Dateline.
Plus many JWS can air their greivance without fear of retaliation. I don't think even the Gb relised how many disgruntled JWS are really out there.
Let's not forget the many support groups which are now banded together because of the Internet.
Bottom line, they need to justify what they are about to do (mass disfellowhsipping) It is going to keep the avegae rank-in-file JW not only in line but scared into obedience. Plsu with many new technologies, the JWS in headquaters can track the decneters down give order to Df at all cost.
Many scandels about the Jehovah's Witness have been brought out via Internet. Hitler letters, Un, pedophiles are a few which the Internet has brought to light. Older memebers are not on line as much, but younger witnesses are.
To keep new ones in line, you got to do something. Why change something that has been effective now? Disfellowshipping has been the most effective means to keep decneters in line.