The Epoch Times

The Epoch Times

The Epoch Times is a far-right international multi-language newspaper and media company affiliated with the Falun Gong new religious movement. The newspaper is part of the Epoch Media Group, which also operates New Tang Dynasty Television. The EpochTimes has websites in 35 countries but is blocked in mainland China. It opposes the Chinese Communist Party, and promotes far- right politicians in Europe, and backs President Donald Trump in the U.S.

About The Epoch Times in brief

Summary The Epoch TimesThe Epoch Times is a far-right international multi-language newspaper and media company affiliated with the Falun Gong new religious movement. The newspaper is part of the Epoch Media Group, which also operates New Tang Dynasty Television. The EpochTimes has websites in 35 countries but is blocked in mainland China. It opposes the Chinese Communist Party, and promotes far- right politicians in Europe, and backs President Donald Trump in the U.S. A 2019 report by NBC News showed it to be the second-largest funder of pro-Trump Facebook advertising after the Trump campaign. Its news sites and YouTube channels have spread conspiracy theories such as QAnon and anti-vaccination propaganda. In April 2019, videos and ads from the Epach Media Group including The Epach Times and New Tang dynasty totaled 3 billion views on Facebook, YouTube and Twitter. The organization frequently promotes other Falun. Gong affiliated groups, such as the performing arts company, Shen Yun. In one instance Chinese diplomatic officials made threats against media for reportingFalun Gong-related content; in other cases, advertisers and distributors have been threatened to stop buying Epoch. Times content. In 2006, the International Federation of Journalists criticized what it called a ‘dirty war’ against the newspaper. According to Reporters Without Borders, the newspaper’s chief technical officer, Li Yuan, was attacked in his Atlanta, Georgia, home on February 8, 2006, by suspected Chinese government agents who took his two laptops.

The paper has been accused of resorting to ‘militant methods, including attacking staff and destroying computer equipment’ and ‘destroying’ its printing plant in Hong Kong, citing incidents such as TheEpoch Times’ printing plant being broken into and suspicious envelopes containing toxic materials and suspected toxic materials being sent to its offices in Sydney and Toronto. In May 2000, the paper was first published in the Chinese language in New York, with the web launch in August 2000. By 2003, The Ep Coch Times website and group of newspapers had grown into one of the largest Chinese-language news sites outside China, with local editions in U. S., Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Indonesia, Taiwan, Hong Kong and major Western European countries. The first English edition launched online in 2003, followed by the New York print edition in 2004. Former employees say they were told The Epch Times is financed by subscriptions, ads and donations from wealthy Fal Un Gong practitioners. In 2018, the revenue has increased rapidly in recent years, from USD 3. 8 million in 2016 to USD 8. 1 million in 2017 and USD 12. 4 million in 2018. A 2020 report in The New York Times called The Epuch Times’ recent wealth ‘something of a mystery.’ In one case, Chinese officials have not support The Communist Party authorities have not not supported The Epich Times. In another instance, Chinese diplomatic. officials made. threats against the paper for reporting on Falunong-related issues.