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Italian News Agency Apcom: Lured by Economic Interests, Eutelsat Ceases to Broadcast NTDTV's Signal

Aug. 30, 2008

(Clearwisdom.net) On August 6, 2008, the Italian news agency Apcom reported that that Eutelsat, the European communications satellite company, was lured by economic interests in Beijing to interrupt NTDTV's broadcast signal to Asia. Its report was based on information publicized by the Italian Falun Dafa Association.

Since June 16, millions of Chinese families have not been able to watch NTDTV, the world's largest independent Chinese TV station. Eutelsat explained that, due to technical failures on its W5 satellite, they had to shut down the transponders. However, on July 10, Reporters Without Borders released a telephone recording indicating that the cancellation of NTDTV's broadcast signal was a premeditated act based on political and economic reasons, not a technical problem.

On July 16, Sun Yuxi, the Chinese ambassador to Italy, admitted that he himself had put direct pressure on Eutelsat, asking the company to cut off NTDTV's signal and promising Eutelsat economic benefits in return. What Eutelsat has done means that millions of Chinese people no longer have access to uncensored information, and violates its contract with NTDTV, which was signed by Eutelsat and its CEO, Mr. Beretta.