Russian Activists Protest Eutelsat

CHAN:
One-and-a-half months have passed since NTD's broadcast to Asia was shut down. Viewers, human rights activists, and parliament members from around the world are condemning the actions of satellite operator Eutelsat. Among them... Russian human rights activists. Here's what they have to say.

STORY:
New Tang Dynasty is the only uncensored television channel that broadcast into mainland China. French satellite company, Eutelsat has a contract with NTD to broadcast our signal to Asia, but on June 16 they shut it down deliberately.

Our viewers around the world are shocked by the incident. Russian human rights activists express their views as well. Alexander Podrabinek is a famous journalist and human rights activist. At the end of 1970s he was arrested for so-called "slander of the Soviet regime.” He was sentenced to 5 years in prison in Siberia.

[Alexander Podrabinek, Human Rights Activist]:
"In a totalitarian regime, like China today, any channel of free and independent information is extremely important. It is extremely important for people, deprived of free press and free press in China in particular. I remember this from my own experience. We lived in a communist state not very long ago - in the USSR.”

Yuriy Samodurov is Director of Sakharov Public Center. He is worried for human rights situation not only in Russia, but also in other countries. Recently he signed a petition to boycott the Beijing Olympics.

[Yuriy Samodurov, Human Rights Activist]:
"This politically-motivated decision, which was aimed at limiting the access to information for Chinese people, is certainly regrettable. The Chinese regime has limited access to information and as I see it, did it in a very elaborate way.”

Alexander Podrabinek has similar views.

[Alexander Podrabinek, Human Rights Activist]:
"I think the European company, which is broadcasting your signal, is on the one hand submitting to the political pressure from China, and on the other - acting as a businessman that only minds his own interests. This company breaks the code of business ethics of a free country.”

Ludmila Alekseeva is a chairperson at Moscow Helsinki Group, the oldest and most famous human rights organizations in Russia.

[Ludmila Alekseeva, Human Rights Activist]:
"Of course, this is very sad news, because from Soviet times we know how it feels not to have access to alternative information. And that is why I understand the situation of all the people in China, who can think even a little bit, because a thinking person always wants to have alternative information.”

For now, the actions of Eutelsat have been condemned by 52 members of the European Parliament, including the Vice President Edward MacMillan-Scott. If you want to help restore NTD broadcast to Asia, you may sign the petition on our website at www.ntdtv.com.

Category:

News & Politics

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