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Network Beams Dissidence Into China

Satellite TV station part of media blitz by outlawed Falun Gong

By Jonas Oransky,  Newser Staff

Posted Nov 15, 2007 2:20 PM CST

(Newser) – A US-based satellite TV station staffed mainly by members of spiritual movement Falun Gong is broadcasting a dissident message into China, the Wall Street Journal reports. With Falun Gong called an "evil cult" and outlawed by the Chinese government, its members have started New Tang Dynasty, a radio station, newspaper, and dozens of websites to deliver pro-democracy messages.

NTD has risen in five years from a scrappy start-up to a variety channel—news, movies, cooking shows, sports—aired in Asia, Europe, and the US. It reports on issues forbidden to Chinese state media, such as political corruption and the spread of SARS in 2003. China's government scrambles NTD's signal, but illegal satellite dishes give viewers a way around.

New Tang Dynasty Television reporters hit the streets of Beijing.
New Tang Dynasty Television reporters hit the streets of Beijing.   (Wikimedia Commons)
The leaning towers of the new China Central Television headquarters building are seen nearing their full height in Beijing Wednesday Oct. 31, 2007. In contrast to the official message of state-sponsored television, the largely volunteer staff of New Tang Dynasty TV are helping build one of the most significant overseas...
The leaning towers of the new China Central Television headquarters building are seen nearing their full height in Beijing Wednesday Oct. 31, 2007. In contrast to the official message of state-sponsored...   (Associated Press)
A customers look at a display of television sets at a supermarket in Wuhan, central China's Hubei province, Friday July 20, 2007. (AP Photo)
A customers look at a display of television sets at a supermarket in Wuhan, central China's Hubei province, Friday July 20, 2007. (AP Photo)   (Associated Press)
New Tang Dynasty anchor Kean Wong.
New Tang Dynasty anchor Kean Wong.   (NewTangDynastyTV (YouTube))
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