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Revision as of 18:39, 8 August 2009

Sound of Hope (simplified Chinese: 希望之声,; traditional Chinese: 希望之聲,; pinyin: Xīwàng Zhīshēng,; Wade–Giles: Hsi-wang Chi-sheng) is multi-language broadcast service affiliated with the spiritual movement Falun Gong. It is part of the Epoch Media Group along with New Tang Dynasty Television Station (NTDTV) and The Epoch Times.

It originated in Mandarin, and currently offers programs in Chinese, English, French, Spanish, Vietnamese, and Korean.

Synopsis

It was the last of the three media to be established, beginning operations in June, 2003, supported by a network of volunteers that continue to maintain the station's programming. All three Epoch Group companies were founded by practitioners of the Falun Gong spiritual discipline--which observers believe plays some role in determining editorial stances. Sound of Hope, along with NTDTV and Epoch Times, are listed as "Falun Gong affiliated" media in a US Congressional report on Falun Gong and China.

Their programs in English include a weekly segment entitled "Speaking of Asia," concentrating on Asian news and culture. English programs also cover traditional Chinese stories and originally included a segment on learning to speak Chinese. The French version includes weekly recipes. Programs can be heard on the internet and is broadcast in a number of major cities, including Sydney, Chicago, and New York. Sound of hope also provides several podcasts with an Asian focus, as well as on more general interest topics.

Like its newspaper and television counterparts, the station is highly critical of the Chinese government and heavily favorable of Falun Gong. It has also come out with an audio version of the Nine Commentaries on the Chinese Communist Party, an attack on the CCP and its actions throughout history. As a result of this and regular attempts to broadcast into China, their China-directed airwaves have been interfered with, and radio reception of the station in China is not good. In depth reporting also focuses heavily on reported human rights abuses by the Chinese government against practitioners of Falun Gong, and on current efforts to withdraw support of CCP leadership following the publication of the Nine Commentaries by the Epoch Times.

References

1. Lum, Thomas Congressional Research Service, page CRS-8, list of Falun Gong-affiliated media in United States

External links

• Sound of Hope Radio Network
• Chinese Consulate Rejects Reporter's Visa Application
• Another foreign radio station falls victim to "Great Wall of the airwaves"
• Nine Commentaries

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