The Epoch Times

The Epoch Times (Simplified Chinese: 大纪元; Traditional Chinese: 大紀元; Pinyin: Dàjìyuán) is a Falun Gong-linkedKVIA.com (April 2006) "Hu Protester Fact Sheet", retrieved July 1, 2006 Chinese newspaper distributed free-of-charge in roughly 30 countries worldwide and translated in more than ten languages. The newspaper claims to have a special strength in its coverage of China and human rights issues, and frequently contains articles with strongly opinionated views on the Communist Party of China, mainland Chinese society, and groups against the CPC, especially Falun Gong. While the paper claims an independent stance, it has been criticized as being biased.

History

According to the newpaper, The Epoch Times was founded by a small circle of journalists in China in 2000. The Epoch Times, "About Us", retrieved July 1, 2006 These journalists relayed stories overseas of alleged human rights abuses, infringements on civil liberties, and corruption in the Communist Party of China (CPC), among others. According to Li Hongzhi, the founder and leader of Falun Gong, the Epoch Times "was established by Dafa disciples for validating the Fa." ^* The term Dafa refers to Li's "great law" which is now judging mankind and weeding out corrupt people in a process called "Fa-rectification."

Despite being blocked by authorities inside China, the Epoch Times continued to expand operations overseas and has since become one of the most widely distributed Chinese newspapers serving the overseas Chinese population, since it is distributed for free. It now has a weekly print distribution of over 1 million copies in 30 countries worldwide. The paper has associated media services, including the television station New Tang Dynasty TV, the radio station, Sound of Hope, Minghui (Clear Wisdom), Reminbao (People's Paper), amongst others. ^*

In August 2004, an English language edition of the Epoch Times was launched in Manhattan. English editions are distributed in Australia, Canada (Vancouver, Toronto, Calgary, Edmonton, Regina and Ottawa), Ireland, New Zealand, Singapore, the United Kingdom, the United States (Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego, Chicago, Boston, Philadelphia, Washington, DC, Houston, Atlanta). German and French editions were launched in late 2004, and more recently Russian, Spanish, Japanese, Korean, Ukrainian, Dutch and Hebrew editions have started up in print.

In May 2005, Die Neue Epoche (German edition of the Epoch Times) received a special media prize from the International Society for Human Rights (IGFM) for "extensive and regular reporting about violations of human rights in China." In September 2005, the English version of the paper was recognized during the National Ethnomedia Week 2005 in Canada as a "strong defender of human rights and free democratic values." [http://www.nepmcc.ca/articles/awards03.htm

Wang Wenyi, an Epoch Times reporter, was removed from the White House grounds by the United States Secret Service on April 20, 2006 for shouting and disrupting a speech by President Hu Jintao of China. On April 21, 2006, she was charged in federal court with a misdemeanor of willfully intimidating, coercing threatening and harassing a foreign official. Subsequently, she reached a deal with the prosecution where charges will be postponed until April 2007, and if no further offenses occur, they will be dropped. [http://www.theepochtimes.com/news/6-6-22/43061.html

As of April 2006, The Epoch Times has 10 languages in print, and 17 languages on the web. ^*

Focus

The Epoch Times originally targeted Chinese readers living abroad and reported on various alleged persecutions and abuses by, as well as the inner workings of, the CPC. Its reports on China are highly critical of the government. It often refers to China as "Communist China" in its reports, including non-political articles, as it does not recognise the CPC as the legitimate government of China. It has since grown to report on civil rights issues worldwide in a politically conservative view, and now appeals to a somewhat wider audience. It sometimes also publishes articles accusing overseas Chinese personalities and media of alleged pro-CPC or anti-Falun Gong bias. The English edition represents itself as a general-interest newspaper that, although it maintains a large amount of China-related content, offers 12 other sections, including travel, science, sports, and regional and international news.

The paper is unique in giving a large amount of attention to Falun Gong's campaigns, particularly their attempt to sue former Chinese President Jiang Zemin under civil legislation for genocide. ^* However the case failed to attract major media attention outside of the newspaper, and later the paper's stance shifted from being anti-Jiang Zemin to anti-CPC. A large number of practitioners were also instrumental in the paper's founding and continue to be in its current operations. Because of this, the paper has over the years been accused by the Chinese government and its supporters of being primarily a propaganda mouthpiece of Falun Gong. The newspaper and Falun Gong practitioners dispute this, saying that such covert operations are unnecessary considering Falun Gong already has publications to represent itself openly, and that some practitioners promote the paper because of its coverage of their cause, not because they ideologically support it. However according to tax records from the Wall Street Journal, the chairman of the paper's board, Kangang Xu, is a top Falun Gong spokesperson.Susan V. Lawrence, Falun Gong Adds Media Weapons In Struggle With China's Rulers - Wall Street Journal. (Eastern edition). New York, N.Y.: Apr 14, 2004. pg. B.2I The paper's Chinese editions tend to carry a large number of articles promoting heavily edited traditional Chinese mythology and Biblical stories, not just Falun Gong doctrines, in a way that reinforces the paper's stance against the CPC.

According to the paper, its goal in reporting is to accurately inform its readers about events in China, particularly those stories that remain censored. For example, it was one of the first newspapers to carry in-depth coverage of SARS, well before the Chinese government publicly admitted that there was an epidemic that went on to cause some 350 deaths. The paper also counters what it considers to be pro-CPC propaganda through its own opinion pieces. Its various editions worldwide all tend to show a marked pro-United States undertone, and in particular it is supportive of the Bush administration's conservative policies, the global War on Terrorism and the Iraq War.

Criticism

In the overseas Chinese community, where The Epoch Times is widely distributed, reactions are mixed. Some commend it for providing alternative views on China and its Communist government, in particular on topics which the Communist Party of China would presumably censor. Others criticize the paper, accusing it of having lax journalistic standards, an exaggerated tone, making false stories, and of pro-Falun Gong bias.

One of the biggest criticisms of The Epoch Times is that its tone towards the Chinese government is too negative, and is dismissive of positive developments such as economic growth. Although a concentration of these negative articles may be published in The Epoch Times, they are not exclusive and many of these reports can also be found in neutral overseas Chinese newspapers. It has been characterized as improperly blending news and commentary and using tabloid practices; some do not consider it to be a serious publication.

In defense of its editorial policy, The Epoch Times says that it is necessary to provide alternate views on news, that pro-CPC articles and interpretations need not be reported, as they are not subject to censorship by China's state-owned media, and can be found in most major Chinese newspapers. They do not see Chinese state-controlled media as legitimate media, but rather as propaganda tools at the hands of the ruling Communist Party. In response to accusations of anti-China bias, the paper says that it's anti-communist, but not anti-Chinese, and that the CPC does not represent China due to lack of democracy.

The Epoch Times is very vocal in supporting dissidents, Falun Gong practitioners, pro-independence Taiwanese, American conservatives, and all other traditional opponents of the CPC; their opinions can often be seen in the opinion page. The paper rarely publishes letters and opinions that would be considered pro-Communist or anti-Falun Gong, which the paper deems unnecessary. Posts in its Chinese language online forum are also subject to 'content review' before being posted. ^* The paper argues that most, if not all, government-sponsored Chinese news sources already contain opinions in agreement with Chinese governmental policies, and that it is simply providing a service to the reader.

In Hong Kong, The Epoch Times' has also been distributed for free at several spots, including the train stations. In October 2003, The times was accused of distributing the paper to travelers who, without the knowledge of the paper, brought it to China. Travelers, including housewives and retired citizens, were detained by China Custom for several hours, some of them had to cancel air tickets and original trip. ^*

The Nine Commentaries on the Communist Party

In November 2004, the Chinese version of The Epoch Times published and heavily promoted a series of editorials and a booklet entitled "Nine Commentaries on the Communist Party" (). The editorials purport to give an alternate exposé of the CPC through its history, from its ascent to power under Mao Zedong to its present-day form, as well as a condemnation of communism in all of its forms. It is written in the style of 'Nine Commentaries on the Soviet Communist Party', a 1963 Chinese publication, attacking Nikita Khrushchev. The Nine Commentaries won the “Asian American Issues - Online” category at the 2005 Asian American Journalists Association (AAJA) convention held in August 2005. The "Commentaries" were subsequently rendered into other languages.

In December 2005, the author of the "Nine Commentaries" was identified as Zheng Peichun, a Chinese dissident, who was arrested on the charge of crimes against the state and was sentenced to 7 years imprisonment. The paper has published a follow-up to the Nine Commentaries, [http://english.epochtimes.com/news/5-8-17/31330.html The Real Story of Jiang Zemin.

CPC Renunciations and Controversy

The Epoch Times claims that the publication of the "Commentaries" and its subsequent call to CPC members to "erase the beastly brand" has caused more than 11.7 million CPC members to resign as of July 13, 2006. The Epoch Times obtains this number by tallying renunciation statements submitted to them via internet, fax, email, or telephone. This methodology is not scientific and widely disputed, and may not reflect the actual number of CPC resignations within China since anyone regardless of Chinese citizenship or CPC membership could submit their name and be counted as a person who has claimed to have renounced their CPC membership. Submissions include anonymous and unverifiable online signatures, duplicate signatures, and public declarations for people inside mainland China unable to access the online website due to censorship. The count also includes any renunciations of past or current association with any CPC-affiliated organization. At their Chinese language renunciation website it was stated that "the evils of the Communist Cult will be punished by God at Judgment Day", "The CPC will be destroyed in 2005", and called on members of the CPC to burn Communist memorabilia. ^*

References

External links

Die Neue Epoche | La Grande Époque | 大紀元 | 大纪元时报