How The New York Times Distorts Shen Yun’s Success in Latest Attack Article (Connecting the Dots: The New York Times, Barack Obama, Kamala Harris, Hunter Biden The Aspen Strategy Group & Soros Funding, All Networking)
The
Epoch Times
Publication
attacks the performing arts company’s success through an anti-religious lens
targeting Falun Gong.
By
Petr Svab December 31, 2024 Updated: January 03, 2025
NEW
YORK CITY—While most performing arts companies struggle financially, relying on
government or corporate grants to operate, Shen Yun Performing Arts has beaten
the odds, running a self-sustaining business model, allowing it to grow from
one performing arts company to eight now touring the world.
The
company was started by practitioners of the Falun Gong spiritual discipline
with a mission to revive traditional Chinese culture. Through its art, Shen Yun
also raises awareness about the persecution Falun Gong faces in communist
China.
Yet
this artistic and financial success has drawn repeated attacks by The New York
Times—at least nine articles directed against the company in less than five
months, including several this week.
This
time, The New York Times cast the company in a negative light for keeping cash
reserves. The article also attempted to explain away Shen Yun’s success by
saying some Falun Gong practitioners have volunteered time or money to host and
promote Shen Yun shows.
In
its opening paragraphs, The New York Times goes as far as to suggest that Shen
Yun “may have” obtained some money illegally, but then leaves the allegation
unsubstantiated.
The
New York Times reporters also made false statements in the article and
concealed from readers that they were made aware of the inaccuracies before
publication, The Epoch Times has learned.
“It
is true that our company has experienced remarkable success,” Shen Yun said in
a statement.
“It
is also true that we have built, on our own, the fastest-growing performing
arts company in American history.
“What
the [New York] Times gets completely wrong is why, and, in many regards, how we
did it.”
Shen
Yun has become a major cultural phenomenon, putting on a new classical Chinese
dance production every year that showcases “China before communism,” as its
tagline reads. Its dance troupes, each accompanied by an orchestra, perform for
a total global audience of about a million people each year.
Countering
Religious Persecution
Falun
Gong, a spiritual discipline consisting of meditative exercises and teachings
based on the principles of truthfulness, compassion, and tolerance, became
immensely popular in China during the 1990s. By 1999, between 70 million and
100 million people had taken up the practice, according to official estimates
at the time. That same year, the CCP’s paramount leader, Jiang Zemin, accused
Falun Gong of competing with the official communist ideology and launched a
repression campaign. The regime set about rounding up and sending millions of
practitioners to prisons and labor camps, often to die of torture or have their
organs extracted for the Chinese regime’s then-burgeoning transplant industry.
A
significant proportion of Falun Gong practitioners inside China and around the
world have been active in raising awareness about the persecution, often on
behalf of family members imprisoned or facing abuse in China. Virtually all
such work has been carried out on a voluntary basis.
“Falun
Gong practitioners have tried to organize and find creative and non-violent
ways to not only help their family and believers in China, but also to help
Chinese people and those around the world to stop participating in the
persecution and to see through the CCP’s harmful and false propaganda,” said
the Falun Dafa Information Center (FDIC), a nonprofit monitoring the
persecution of Falun Gong.
“This
stems from a deeply held belief—common in many faiths—that good deeds are
rewarded and bad deeds—especially the violent persecution and killing of
innocent people—are punished, if not in this life, then after death,” the group
stated in a press release.
Despite
the massive scale of the persecution in China, and the grassroots efforts to
expose it, news media in America were slow to pick up on the issue, with some
exceptions, such as Ian Johnson’s series of articles on the topic for The Wall
Street Journal that earned him the Pulitzer Prize in 2001.
At
the New York Times, rather than reporting on a major human rights story, they
took the opposite approach, according to an FDIC analysis released earlier this
year. In the early years, the paper parroted the CCP’s anti-Falun Gong
propaganda. After that, it virtually ignored the issue, even as evidence of the
abuses mounted.
In
recent years, the paper has turned to outright attacking the Falun Gong
diaspora in the United States, particularly Shen Yun.
The
FDIC questioned the timing of the latest series of articles—which coincide with
whistleblower reports that the CCP has launched a new campaign to “eliminate”
Falun Gong overseas, “including via media reports by outlets without visible
ties to the regime,” the FDIC said in a Dec. 30 release.
“The
Times’ caricature of Shen Yun passes over every bit of the real story—one of
blood, sweat, and tears of brave men and women fleeing persecution in China,”
the Shen Yun statement said.
Grassroots
Efforts
Many
Falun Gong practitioners perceive Shen Yun’s success as a breakthrough in
raising awareness about the ongoing persecution, Gail Rachlin told The Epoch
Times.
Rachlin
is a New York-based real estate broker and former executive at American
Airlines, FedEx, and Hilton. She was among the earliest Falun Gong volunteers
raising awareness among the American public.
“When
Shen Yun came, it was like, ‘Oh my goodness, this is an incredible opportunity
to tell people more about who we are,’” she said.
With
her background in hosting corporate events, Rachlin immediately offered to help
host the show in New York.
“Shen
Yun is our best way to express what’s going on. It’s our freedom expressed,”
she said.
The
show received rave reviews and was praised for its uplifting message, high
level of artistry, and impeccable production. Each season, Shen Yun includes
one or two dance pieces depicting the persecution. Its masters of ceremonies
also share with the audience that this is the reason Shen Yun cannot perform in
China.
Typically,
a group of Falun Gong practitioners living in an area will invite Shen Yun,
usually through a local nonprofit, to perform in the top theater in their
locale.
Ticket
sales proceeds are used to cover the expenses of the hosting organization and
the contracted performance fee paid to Shen Yun.
In
some cases, local hosts promoted the show on their own dime and then reimbursed
themselves once the ticket sales kicked in.
The
New York Times used one such case in Indiana during the 2017/2018 season to
falsely claim that the shows didn’t make enough money for the hosts to recoup
their initial expenses and that they used government grants to do so years
later.
The
president of the hosting organization, the Indiana Falun Dafa Association,
however, had informed the New York Times reporters in an emailed statement that
this was false, prior to the article’s publication.
“I
would really appreciate it if you can provide the ‘records’ you are using to
make these false statements,” he wrote, never receiving a response.
The
shows were in fact very successful, did make enough money to cover expenses the
same season, and no government grant money was involved, he explained to The
Epoch Times, offering a 2018 bank statement from the nonprofit as proof.
The
New York Times reporters didn’t include any portion of his statement in their
article.
The reporters claimed that Falun Gong practitioners help with Shen Yun shows because they view it with “religious fervor” and as a means to save people from a “coming apocalypse.”
They
also view the show as spiritually uplifting for the audience.
“It
brings hope and helps people to find out the softest spot in their heart, the
kindness in their heart,” said Xing Chen, who has been hosting Shen Yun shows
in San Antonio for the past four years.
“It
benefits society, benefits humanity, and that’s a very meaningful thing to do
so I’m proud I can be part of it.”
Lastly,
they considered the show a potent avenue for raising awareness about the
repression in China.
“That’s
the reason we’re supporting it,” Rachlin said. “Not because of some
‘doomsday.’”
Portraying
Falun Gong as a doomsday belief is an old propaganda trope used by the CCP in
the early years of the persecution. It has been repeatedly debunked.
“It
is … disturbing to see that some of the themes in the article mirror, with
shocking similarity, the CCP’s propaganda against Shen Yun and Falun Gong,”
Shen Yun said in its statement.
“Twenty-five
years ago, such narratives were formulated by Beijing to strip us of our
freedoms, dehumanize and silence us, and turn people against us in order to
facilitate a nationwide campaign of violence and killing,” the company said.
“The
reemergence of these exact same themes on the pages of the Times should foster
grave concern within the Times organization, and certainly among its readers.”
The
New York Times reporters further alleged that one Shen Yun staff member used
all her savings to pay for equipment and some luxury items for Shen Yun and its
staff and then died of cancer, lacking funds to cover treatment.
The
company said the staffer “was urged by Shen Yun colleagues to curb her
unnecessary and sometimes lavish spending” and her “failure to care for her
health was also the subject of concern from those around her.”
“After
repeatedly refusing care, a Shen Yun staff member finally demanded she be taken
to the hospital and took her there themselves,” it said.
“The
entire story is heart-rending, and her children have our greatest sympathy, as
we understand the severe pain they have endured. That said, [the woman’s]
actions and decisions were her own, of course, and carried out despite repeated
and sometimes heated admonishments from Shen Yun personnel.”
Running
a Performing Arts Nonprofit
The
New York Times tries to portray Shen Yun as making money through donations,
grants, and cost savings. But a review of its financials reveals a much
different picture—less than 18 percent of its revenue came from grants and
contributions in 2023.
It
owes its financial success overwhelmingly to strong ticket sales, the documents
show.
“Like
many start-ups, we relied on personal heroics at the beginning, including an
all-volunteer team working mostly nights and weekends to build our dream … As
we continued to grow, we increased salaries and services for our staff,” the
company said.
It
describes the costs to run its operations as a “sizable responsibility given
the all-inclusive approach we offer our people.”
The
company said it offers many staff members free room and board.
“We
also help fund the Fei Tian schools that share our campus, which provide full
scholarships for all students which include room and board and are valued at
about $50,000 a year.”
As
the company expanded and its shows garnered popularity, its revenue also
increased, reaching about $50 million in 2023.
The
New York Times questioned why Shen Yun saves its money in a bank, without
spending or investing it. But the publication didn’t explain why it would be
nefarious for the company to keep cash reserves. It didn’t allege the cash
reserves were being misused in any way.
“We
want to ensure a high level of financial preparedness,” Shen Yun said in its
statement.
“In
fact, we were able to keep all of our people through the COVID-19 pandemic,
even while not performing for a year and a half and have every intention of
being able to do that again if needed.”
The
company emphasized that it needs to manage its finances with a long-term
perspective.
Shen
Yun launched in 2006 facing daunting odds. It had no name recognition, no home
stage, no government support, and no corporate donors or philanthropic patrons
lined up.
The
company also adopted an extremely complex production strategy, with custom-made
costumes, an animated backdrop, and a live orchestra. In addition, it chose to
create brand new choreography, costumes, backdrop designs, and musical
compositions every season. And it started on New York’s oversaturated
performing arts scene.
Chen
found it bizarre that The New York Times would cast a shadow on Shen Yun
because people like her volunteered for it.
“People
now are just living for money, huh?” she told The Epoch Times. “We have our
spiritual side, and we pursue something above and beyond the daily life,
something intangible.”
The
New York Times repeatedly tried to insinuate, without evidence, that Falun Gong
founder Mr. Li Hongzhi has financially benefited from Shen Yun.
Mr.
Li, who is usually addressed by Falun Gong practitioners as Shifu—meaning
Teacher or Master—introduced Falun Gong to the public in 1992 through a series
of seminars across China. Mr. Li’s main teachings were then published as a
book, “Zhuan Falun.” The book became a national best-seller in China, before
being banned by the CCP, which confiscated the books and even held public
burnings.
Mr.
Li has on occasion given talks at conferences hosted by Falun Gong
practitioners, mainly in North America. Several collections of those have been
published as books as well.
“Mr.
Li does not receive any income from Falun Gong-affiliated companies, including
Shen Yun, which is a nonprofit organization,” the FDIC said in a Dec. 30 statement.
“All
Falun Gong books and instructional videos are also available online for free in
over 40 languages and all Falun Gong conferences are free of charge to attend.
It is clear that financial gain has never been his motivation.”
Update:
The article has been updated to use the Chinese name of Xing Chen, who has been
hosting Shen Yun shows in San Antonio.
Correction:
A previous version of this article misstated the city in which Xing Chen hosts
Shen Yun performances. The Epoch Times regrets the error.
Connecting
the Dots:
Steven L. Rattner was
an economic correspondent for the New York Times and is a
director at the New America Foundation.
David B. Brooks is
a columnist for the New York Times and a director at the New
America Foundation.
Jonathan Soros is a
director at the New America Foundation and George
Soros’s son.
Foundation to Promote Open Society was a funder
for the New America Foundation.
George Soros was the chairman
for the Foundation to Promote Open Society, is Jonathan
Soros’s father, a member of the Bretton Woods Committee and
a board member for the International Crisis Group.
Leslie H. Gelb is
a member of the Bretton Woods Committee, was a board member for
the International Crisis Group, a reporter, columnist & op-ed
page editor for the New York Times and an advisory board
member for the Truman National Security Project.
Kamala D. Harris is
an advisory board member for the Truman National Security Project, an
advisory board member for the Center for National Policy and
vice president of the Joseph R. Biden Jr administration.
R. Hunter Biden is
a director at the Truman National Security Project, a director at
the Center for National Policy and Joseph R. Biden
Jr’s son.
Madeleine K.
Albright was an advisory board member for the Truman National
Security Project, the president of the Center for National Policy and
a member of the Aspen Strategy Group.
Nicholas Kristof is
a member of the Aspen Strategy Group and a columnist for
the New York Times.
David E. Sanger is
a member of the Aspen Strategy Group and the chief Washington
correspondent for the New York Times.
Carla Anne
Robbins is a member of the Aspen Strategy Group and
was a deputy editorial page editor for the New York Times.
Anne-Marie
Slaughter is a member of the Aspen Strategy Group, an
advisory board member for the Truman Center for National Policy and
an advisory board member for the Truman National Security Project.
Leslie H. Gelb is
an advisory board member for the Truman Center for National Policy,
an advisory board member for the Truman National Security Project,
was a reporter, columnist & op-ed page editor for the New York
Times, a board member for the International Crisis Group and
a member of the Bretton Woods Committee.
George Soros is a board member for
the International Crisis Group, a member of the Bretton
Woods Committee and was the chairman for the Foundation to Promote
Open Society.
Foundation to Promote Open Society was a funder for
the New America Foundation.
Steven L. Rattner is
a director at the New America Foundation and was an economic correspondent
for the New York Times.
David B. Brooks is
a director at the New America Foundation and a columnist for
the New York Times.
Richard R. Burt was
a correspondent for the New York Times and is a director at
the Atlantic Council of the United States (think tank).
Open Society Foundations was a funder for
the Atlantic Council of the United States (think tank) and
the American Constitution Society.
George Soros is the founder & chairman
for the Open Society Foundations and was the chairman for the Foundation
to Promote Open Society.
Foundation to Promote Open Society was a funder for
the NPR.
Linda Greenhouse
is a director at the American Constitution Society and was a
reporter or the New York Times.
Charlayne
Hunter-Gault is a special correspondent for the NPR and
was a reporter for the New York Times.
Vivian Schiller was
the president & CEO for the NPR and the SVP for the NYTimes.com.
Henry B. Schacht was
a director at the New York Times Co. and an honorary trustee at
the Brookings Institution (think tank).
Foundation to Promote Open Society was a funder for
the Brookings Institution (think tank), the New America Foundation and the Committee for Economic
Development.
George Soros was the chairman
for the Foundation to Promote Open Society.
Steven L. Rattner was
a trustee at the Brookings Institution (think tank), a director at
the New America Foundation and an economic correspondent for
the New York Times.
Ellen R. Marram is
a trustee at the Committee for Economic Development and a director
at the New York Times Co.
New York Times
Co. is a subsidiary of the New York Times.
Jason P. DeParle is
a reporter for the New York Times and married to Nancy-Ann
DeParle.
Nancy-Ann DeParle is
married to Jason P. DeParle and was the White House health czar
& deputy chief of staff for the Barack Obama administration.
Crystal Nix Hines was
a reporter for the New York Times, Barack Obama’s law
school friend, a fundraiser for the 2008 Barack Obama presidential
campaign and a fundraiser for the 2012 Barack Obama presidential
campaign.
Resources:
Past Research
New
York Times Amplifies Misinformation Group’s Talking Points To Smear Truth
Social As QAnon Haven (Connecting the Dots: New York Times, Kamala Harris,
Hunter Biden, Aspen Strategy Group & Soros Funded Think Tanks All
Networking Against American Citizens) (Past
Research on the New York Times)
Tuesday,
August 30, 2022
https://thesteadydrip.blogspot.com/2022/08/new-york-timesamplifies-misinformation.html
N.Y.
Times serves up baloney on Benghazi (Past Research
on the New York Times)
Monday,
December 30, 2013
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