This far-right publication ran over 17,000 articles 'fawning over' a Chinese dance group — here’s why

The far-right Epoch Times, according to the New York Times, has, since 2009, published more than 17,000 articles promoting Shen Yun — a touring Chinese dance group. And New York Times reporters Nicole Hong and Michael Rothfeld explain why in an article published on December 30.

The Epoch Times, a Chinese publication based in New York City, is affiliated with the Falun Gong religious movement. And Shen Yun is associated with Falun Gong.

According to Hong and Rothfield, the Epoch Times has repeatedly praised Shen Yun, using words like "heavenly" and "flawless" to describe their performances.

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"The fawning coverage was not a product of quirky editorial judgment or an unusual commitment to chronicling the arts," the New York Times reporters explain. "Rather, it was part of a deliberate strategy to promote Shen Yun — a huge moneymaker for the Falun Gong religious movement — while relentlessly attacking its critics, records and interviews show."

Hong and Rothfield add, "The strategy has emanated from the edicts of Falun Gong's founder, Li Hongzhi, whose followers run The Epoch Times and who oversees Shen Yun from his movement's guarded headquarters northwest of New York City."

Hongzhi, according to Hong and Rothfield, considers Shen Yun "the most important project in his religion."

"He has urged followers to persuade as many people as possible to see Shen Yun shows, which he says can spread Falun Gong’s message and save audiences from a coming apocalypse," the Times journalists report. "But he has also presided over a dance group that former performers say has discouraged them from seeking medical care and subjected them to years of emotional abuse."

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The Epoch Times' coverage of U.S. politics has been overtly favorable to President-elect Donald Trump.

"The Epoch Times has long been known to have ties to Falun Gong," Hong and Rothfield note. "It rose to national prominence after 2016 by promoting right-wing conspiracy theories and the policies of Donald J. Trump. Kash Patel, Mr. Trump's pick for FBI director in his second administration, had a show on the outlet’s streaming site, EpochTV, where he conducted an interview with Mr. Trump in 2022."

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Read the full New York Times article at this link (subscription required).