Before Olympics, Another Free Window to China Shut Down

Before Olympics, Another Free Window to China Shut Down

Latest Evidence Shows Eutelsat Shutdown of NTDTV Politically Motivated

NEW YORK, July 10 /PRNewswire/ -- On June 16, 2008, New Tang Dynasty Television's (NTDTV) broadcast to China via Eutelsat Communications' W5 satellite was abruptly terminated.

On July 10, 2008, Reporters Without Borders (RSF) released a statement exposing the real reason behind NTDTV's broadcast discontinuation to be a politically motivated decision by Eutelsat Chairman and CEO Giuliano Berretta to curry favor with the PRC regime, which has steadfastly sought to shut out all media beyond its censorship control.

Since the shutdown, the only explanation provided to NTDTV by Eutelsat was "an anomaly to part of its [W5's] power generator subsystem." To date, there has been no update or additional explanation from Eutelsat to the continued service blackout.

With the Beijing Olympics mere weeks away, Chinese people's need for uncensored news has never been greater. Yet at this critical juncture, Mr. Berretta's decision closed the only window of free information to millions of Chinese people. What the PRC regime has not been able to accomplish for years, Mr. Berretta has delivered by the flip of a switch.

NTD invites our media colleagues to come find out the latest development and its impact on China's press freedom.

WHAT: Urgent Press Conference on NTD Broadcast to China

WHEN: July 11, 2008, Friday
1:30pm - 3:00pm

WHERE: Room: The Gramercy Park
The New Yorker Hotel
481 Eighth Ave. (Corner of 34th St and 8th Ave.)

Source: New Tang Dynasty Television

CONTACT: Elizabeth Wang, +1-917-692-9058; or Jenny Fang,
+1-917-862-0711

Web site:

http://www.ntdtv.com/

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