Another Troubling Wave: Eutelsat Shuts Down NTDTV

(Clearwisdom.net) New Tang Dynasty TV spokesperson Ms. Carrie Hung stated that BBG and Eutelsat have individually notified NTDTV that the BBG will end its contract with Eutelsat, and Eutelsat will cancel its contract with NTDTV on W5 Satellite broadcasting. The BBG's contract with Eutelsat ends on July 31, 2008. NTDTV calls on its audience in Mainland China to pay urgent attention to this matter.

Introduction to the BBG

The BBG (Broadcasting Board of Governors) in an independent U.S. government agency in charge of government funded non-military broadcasting and international broadcasting. Between 1953-1999, the BBG was an internal department within the USIA (United States Information Agency).

Currently, the BBG is in charge of government broadcasting entities from the United States to the world, such as VOA (Voice of America) and RFA (Radio Free Asia). When the first conflict with Eutelsat developed in 2005, Congress requested that the BBG make sure to use the W5 Satellite, which forced Eutelsat to not move W5 away from China. Congress required that Eutelsat remain open to all free media to Asia. This cooperation between the BBG and Eutelsat became the legal guarantee for a free information platform into Asia. Voice of America is funded by the U.S. government and was established in 1942. RFA is a non-government agency established by U.S. Congress and funded by the federal budget.

Eutelsat Tried to Cancel NTDTV Contract Once Before, in 2005

In 2005, in order to win business with China, Eutelsat announced that it was ending its contract with NTDTV. The Wall Street Journal pointed out that the purpose of this action was to gain Olympic broadcasting rights. Eutelsat knew the CCP did not like its contract with NTDTV. If they backed out of their deal with NTDTV, Beijing would be more likely to give them Olympic broadcasting rights.

In response to Eutelsat's action, many congresspersons, government officials, Members of the European Parliament and European lawmakers wrote letters and made phone calls, urging Eutelsat not to block NTDTV. Non-government organizations such as Reporters without Borders and the International Journalists Association initiated activities to support NTDTV. Finally, under strong pressure from the world, Eutelsat gave up its attempt to take NTDTV off the W5 Satellite.

Ms. Carrie Hung said that the U.S. Congress' decisions in 2005 helped to establish a window of free information into Mainland China, used by Chinese free media such as NTDTV for broadcasting true, unfiltered information to the Chinese people.

CCP Influence and the BBG's About Face

Sources have reported that over the past few years, the CCP has repeatedly attempted to influence the BBG. Some internal changes took place within the BBG, and this led to the decision to cancel its business with Eutelsat on July 31, 2008, end broadcasting on the W5 Satellite, and put VOA and RFA on Asiasat 3S, which has been controlled by the CCP since the end of 2007. The BBG notified NTDTV of this decision just over a week ago.

Ms. Hung said that Eutelsat contacted NTDTV shortly after the BBG, saying that since the BBG is canceling its contract, Eutelsat plans to  cancel their contract with NTDTV to broadcast on W5. This means that the BBG decision will cause the only free information window into China to close.

Switching to a CCP Controlled Satellite Shuts Off the Flow of Unfiltered Information into China

Ms. Hung pointed out that under the CCP's totalitarian rule, all media in mainland China, including TV stations, radio stations, newspapers, magazines, books and Internet are subject to censorship by the CCP, and all voices not in favor with the CCP are routinely shut off. China ranks 163rd out of 169 countries in terms of freedom of information.

Ms. Hung continued to say that due to the BBG's using 3S, the CCP can interfere with its signals anytime it wishes, and it can block any program they want. The CCP wasn't able to do this on the W5 satellite.

Technical experts have told us that for signals from the W5 Satellite, people in China can use small dishes to receive signals. But on 3S, signals must be received with a bigger satellite dish. This creates difficulties for users, because bigger satellite dishes are more easily found by the police.

NTDTV Asks the Audience to Take Immediate Action to Help Maintain NTDTV Broadcasts

Ms. Hung said that many have called NTDTV and sent e-mails, hoping that NTDTV can continue broadcasting in China. She said that NTDTV is grateful for audience support and hopes that they can express their concerns to the U.S. government and the BBG.

When you call, fax, or e-mail, please request:

1. BBG should not leave the W5 Satellite, and it should not cancel its contract with Eutelsat. It should ensure that W5 remains open as the only window of free information into China. This is the only channel through which many mainland Chinese receive unfiltered information via VOA, RFA, and NTDTV.

2. Immediately allow NTDTV to broadcast into China through the BBG platform on the W5 Satellite.

Contact Information

Speaker of the House Ms. Nancy Pelosi: Tel- [phone], fax [phone], e-mail [e-mail]

US Congressmember Ms. Nita Lowey: Tel- 202-225-6506, fax [phone]

US Congressmember Mr. Frank Wolf: Tel- [phone], fax [phone]

US Congressmember Mr. Adam Schiff: Tel- [phone], fax [phone]

US Senator Mr. Patrick Leahy: Tel [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]

US Senator Mr. Richard J. Durbin: Tel- [phone], fax [phone]

VOA CALL-IN program, Beijing time 9 p.m. to 10 p.m., has toll free CALL-In. First dial 10810 or 108710, then dial 866-837 -5161. Between Beijing time 12 midnight to 6 p.m., this phone number can be used as Chinese voice mail. Please tell VOA that leaving the W5 Satellite will reduce the effect of its broadcasting.

RFA: Tel- (202)-530-4900. Please tell RFA leaving W5 Satellite will reduce the effect of its broadcasting. e-mail [e-mail], or [e-mail] or by telephone [phone]

US Secretary of State Dr. Condoleezza Rice: Tel- [phone], fax [phone]

BBG CEO Jeffrey Trimble: Tel- (202)-203-4545, fax [phone], e-mail [e-mail]

National Security Advisor Mr. Steve Hadley: Tel- [phone], fax [phone]

the White House, e-mail: [e-mail]

(please cc NTDTV at [e-mail], or you can write to this e-mail box in Chinese, so NTDTV can translate your letter and pass it on)