A study analyzed the use of third-party credibility as a deliberate and systematic public relations strategy to regain credibility for an organization faced with public hostility. Four types of third-party usage are: citizen participation, outside investigation, adversarial advocacy, and employee dissemination. Third-party credibility as a public relations strategy to counter the negative effects of hostility is increasing in use and sophistication. However, it is far from being a panacea for it requires a serious degree of commitment on the part of management and a deep involvement of third parties in the organization's operations. The risks that are involved in this strategy are many and must be understood fully and weighted carefully before proceeding. Included in the study is the use made of oustide investigators by E.F. Hutton and the General Public Utilities Service Corporation, which operates the nuclear generating plant at Three Mile Island. (SRT)