A recent report has criticized a series of articles by The New York Times for being detrimental to a persecuted religious minority in China. The report suggests that the articles attacking Shen Yun Performing Arts, a group run by Chinese dissidents, are deeply flawed and should be retracted.
The report highlights that the longest article by The New York Times uses manipulative language and imagery similar to propaganda tactics. It also raises concerns about the articles aligning with the goals of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), which has targeted Shen Yun since its founding in 2006.
Shen Yun Performing Arts, established by Chinese expats who practice Falun Gong, aims to revive traditional Chinese culture without communist influence. The group has faced persecution in China, and its mission includes shedding light on the ongoing mistreatment of Falun Gong practitioners.
The report by the Falun Dafa Information Center (FDIC) questions the ethics of The New York Times’ reporting on Shen Yun and suggests that the articles are harmful to the persecuted religious minority. It calls for a retraction and investigation into the production of the articles.
Despite claims by The New York Times that its reporting was thorough and factual, the report by FDIC suggests otherwise. It points out that the journalists appeared to have a preconceived negative narrative about Shen Yun and did not reach out to former artists with positive experiences.
Overall, the report raises serious concerns about the impact of The New York Times’ articles on Shen Yun and the religious minority it represents. It calls for accountability and ethical journalism practices moving forward. One of them wrote to the reporters, in an email provided to The Epoch Times, “I really have no interest in doing an interview for anti-Falun Gong activists who masquerade as journalists.” The reporters omitted these emails from their articles.
The FDIC found that Shen Yun dancers do suffer injuries but are not discouraged from seeking medical treatment. Doctors near Shen Yun’s headquarters in New York regularly treat Shen Yun performers. Shen Yun dancers would never perform with a serious injury, as it would compromise the show’s quality.
The CCP has launched a campaign to target Falun Gong overseas, aiming to create internal divisions within the community and prompt investigations by U.S. authorities. Social media influencers spread anti-Falun Gong and anti-Shen Yun messaging. Some Falun Gong detainees are forced to give up their faith through the use of unsubstantiated allegations by these influencers.
Some performers who left Shen Yun were invited to the Beijing Dance Academy, a CCP-run dance school that views Shen Yun as a main competitor. The New York Times articles did not disclose the dancers’ ties to BDA.
CCP Propaganda
The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) initiated a campaign to “eradicate” Falun Gong in 1999, following estimates of 70 million to 100 million practitioners of the spiritual discipline, outnumbering CCP membership. The regime immediately launched a wave of hate propaganda against Falun Gong.
The New York Times echoed the regime’s propaganda in numerous articles, particularly during the early stages of the persecution, as noted by the FDIC. The paper’s recent articles on Shen Yun perpetuate core CCP propaganda against Falun Gong.
The FDIC criticized the paper for displaying “anti-religious bias” in its coverage, sensationalizing Falun Gong beliefs shared by many religious traditions. The New York Times’ failure to contextualize Falun Gong’s teachings within theological traditions demonstrates ignorance, intolerance, and bias.
Shen Yun performers are driven by a strong sense of duty towards a spiritual mission, as highlighted in The New York Times article. Many Shen Yun artists aim to revive traditional Chinese culture and raise awareness about the persecution faced by Falun Gong practitioners in China.
The FDIC pointed out The New York Times’ history of downplaying or ignoring the persecution of Falun Gong practitioners. The paper’s coverage of Shen Yun fails to acknowledge the motivation behind countering abuses in China.
School Policies
The New York Times article criticized Fei Tian school policies as oppressive, despite them being common practices in American schools. The school’s regulations on campus permissions, smartphone use, and weight maintenance are in line with industry standards.
Fei Tian provides students with scholarships, room and board, cash stipends, and global travel opportunities, resembling benefits offered in performing arts companies. However, The New York Times framed these benefits as tools of exploitation.
The FDIC highlighted the common practice of maintaining optimal weight among professional dancers, athletes, and models to prevent injuries. The requirement for dancers to meet weight standards is not unique to Shen Yun.
The New York Times published a lengthy article alleging abuse of performers by Shen Yun in its August 18, 2024 edition.
Call for Introspection
The FDIC urged The New York Times to adhere to its editorial standards and ensure foreign influence operations are not at play in its reporting. The consequences of such reporting can fuel violence against innocent individuals and impact diplomatic relations with China.
The FDIC called for the retraction of the articles, an internal investigation, and corrective measures to prevent similar failures in future reporting on Shen Yun or Falun Gong.
