Posted on 07/26/2008 10:17:50 AM PDT by NormsRevenge
The only uncensored Chinese-language TV network broadcasting in China says its satellite company has shut down its signal because of pressure from the Chinese government.
The satellite company, Paris-based Eutelsat, says the signal to China was cut because of a technical problem. But New Tang Dynasty Television, an independent station with offices in 70 U.S. cities, including Palo Alto, says Eutelsat cut its signal at the request of government officials in China.
NTDTV covers a number of human rights issues, including the Falun Gong spiritual movement, repression in Tibet and China's underground Christian movement. In China, news is controlled by the government's Central Propaganda Department, and the government is notoriously unfriendly to outside media.
"We are the only (Chinese) channel not under the state's control," said Cathy Zhang, general manager of the Palo Alto office of the nonprofit station. The station estimates it has 225 million potential viewers worldwide, including 100 million in Asia. "Our coverage is controversial from the communist regime's point of view.
"We just want to bring the truth to the Chinese people. They get a filtered view from the government."
Station officials are asking members of Congress to appeal on their behalf to the Broadcasting Board of Governors, the federal agency responsible for international broadcasting.
With the Olympic Games starting in Beijing in a few weeks, NTDTV is desperate to get the China satellite back and has enlisted the help of groups that promote freedom of expression.
Reporters Without Borders, an organization that advocates for freedom of the press worldwide, says it has proof that the shutdown of the station's signal was politically motivated.
(Excerpt) Read more at sfgate.com ...
My Nephew supports the underground Chinese Christian church. Although he lives in California and is an American Citizen, he has traveled to meet with these churches and support them. I know Tibetan Buddhists and devotees of Falun Gong.
A reasonable and compassionate government would have nothing to fear from any of these groups. They are certainly not suited to terrorist activity (with which China does have problems). I guess freedom is the most dangerous and revolutionary concept that exists.
Aren’t those Chi-Coms sweet? ...just like cuddly little pandas. What’s not to love?
Hey Hey!!! nothing to see here. move along, what tv station. what. what. what were u talking about.
I am not a member of the Falun Gong sect, which I understand owns and operates New Tang Dynasty TV. I can say that these folk are very brave and have done an amazing job not just presenting current Chinese news, but also reviving interest in Chinese history and classical Chinese culture. If anything of the past survives the ravages of the Maoists, it’ll be because of them.
But some of the fine FR posters from PRC have been saying over the past few days that Red China is in fact opening up and easing restrictions on everything....
On today’s China Focus, we have Ian Xia in the studio to discuss with us the issues behind the media blackout. http://english.ntdtv.com/?c=263&a=3950
But...but....abortionist troll (it thinks forced abortion is “understandable”) and genocide cheerleader “compound w” tells us that the media is Red China is more fair and balanced than most media in the west. /sarc
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