Comments on the Banning of Overseas Satellite Television From the Chinese People

Recently the Chinese State Administration of Radio, Film and Television, the Central Commission for Comprehensive Control of Law and Order and some other departments jointly issued a policy document that stipulates the strict investigation of the installation of satellite dishes. Instantly, complaints were heard everywhere across the country.

With so many media around the world, why are Chinese people only allowed to watch state-controlled Chinese media, and none of the world's free press?

In February 2002, a bright new star in Chinese-language media ¨C New Tang Dynasty Television (NTDTV) was born in North America. It is an independent and non-profit public television network.

On the 1st of July, 2003, NTDTV began broadcasting through four satellites around the world free of charge. The network has over 40 correspondents worldwide and broadcasts 24 hours a day in Mandarin and Cantonese. Its programs, rich and colourful, suit the taste of both young and old viewers. NTDTV has begun to show its remarkable ability by mixing ancient Chinese tradition with modern culture, and independent, objective news coverage. It is the only Chinese language media in the world that has the courage to report the truth about the situation in China, about the persecution of Falun Gong and worldwide efforts to bring those responsible to justice.

NTDTV invited Falun Gong practitioners all over the world as well as well-known world artists from all circles to participate in its "First Chinese New Year Global Gala" this year. The gala was staged in New York and Washington, Paris, Toronto and Taipei, attracting worldwide attention.

At present, people in North America, Europe, Asia and Australia can view NTDTV free of charge. The only expense is buying a receiver that can pick up signals from a communication satellite as well as a dish which is 75 cm in diameter or larger.

In the face of great pressure and the innumerable obstacles put up by Jiang's group, NTDTV tried and succeeded in clearing the obstacles to broadcast to China via W5 Satellites, and has performed a magnificent feat in breaking through the news blockade there. It is estimated that there are at least 50 million satellite television viewers in China, so giving strict orders to investigate the installation of satellite dishes is no minor event.

Why is Jiang's group so afraid of the truth? Why is it so afraid of the Chinese people learning what is going on in other parts of the world?

In July 1999, Jiang Zemin began a brutal suppression of Falun Gong. The state-controlled media propaganda machine came into full play to "justify" the suppression by demonising Falun Gong. Lies were everywhere and cruelty and violence ran rampant across China. Innocent Falun Gong practitioners were labelled as insane cult members who murder, commit suicide and set themselves on fire.

In the last five years Falun Gong practitioners have persisted in speaking the truth and adhering to their beliefs. Under Jiang's secret instructions such as "beating Falun Gong practitioners to death is nothing and should be recorded as suicide; cremate their bodies without any investigation." More than 1,000 practitioners have been confirmed dead in the persecution. At least 6,000 practitioners have been illegally sentenced to prison, hundreds of thousands of practitioners were sent to forced labour camps, more than 1,000 practitioners have been locked up in mental hospitals and even more practitioners have been abducted to "brainwashing centres." If you add the family members, relatives and friends that have been interfered with by this persecution, the total number affected reaches into the hundreds of millions. In order to sustain the persecution, Jiang tried to hide the truth at all costs. It is reported that he has actually spent a quarter of the nation's wealth to maintain the suppression of Falun Gong.

Yet Falun Gong has not been knocked down. Its principles of "Truthfulness, Compassion and Forbearance." It has been spread far and wide in the world. It has also won more than 1,200 acknowledgement and awards. Falun Dafa books have been translated into more than 30 languages.

NTDTV's broadcasts to China have played a great role in clarifying the truth of Falun Gong and China's human rights situation. If Chinese people could see the outside world then wouldn't the dictator's cruelty be exposed to the light of the day? This is why Jiang would drain the treasury in an attempt to cover up their crimes.

The lies can only fool the people for a short time. Sooner or later, we are all held responsible for what we have done, both good and bad, and there will be no exception with those who have done wrong in governing China.

Note:

1. Jiang - Refers to Jiang Zemin, the former President of China and the current Chairman of the Chinese Central Military Commission