Dear CNN,

This letter is in reference to your article posted August 15, regarding the Hong Kong trial against Falun Gong. I noticed that the article begins with a large piece of news about what the Hong Kong government said about the trial and how the practitioners were convicted. Then I thought there would be some fair representation from the accused. But instead, I found the few comments from the practitioners hidden among Hong Kong officials rebuttals and Beijing persecutory statements. It looks like CNN is very close to becoming a mouthpiece for those who are persecuting Falun Gong.

This is disturbing, isn't it? It is a well known fact that Falun Gong practitioners are viciously persecuted, why do you like to pile more on them? Recently the US Congress unanimously passed a resolution condemning the persecution. Thousands of government officials world wide have spoken out for justice. Yet still, the voice and the supporting articles I read on CNN are very clearly slanted on the side opposing Falun Gong. I suggest that this is irresponsible and biased reporting. A person should look at the facts on such an important issue.

The truth is that over 100 million peaceful and kind hearted people who practice Falun Gong all over the world are being persecuted because they are peaceful and kind hearted. I believe the simplicity of this is hard to comprehend. It really is this simple. They appeal at risk of severe torture or loss of life because they believe that people all have the right to practice the Falun Gong principles of Truthfulness, Compassion, Tolerance if they choose.  It is a very good way to live.

The persecution is driven by lies and slander, and this has confused and harmed great numbers of people including your writers. If China and other countries stopped persecuting Falun Gong the truth would be very clear. There would still be peaceful and kind hearted people, but they would not be forced to appeal over the tortures against them and engage in what reporters like to call "politics." The persecution of Falun Gong is in fact the greatest tragedy, and the world will not forget this after history fully reveals the truth. I encourage CNN to investigate the facts in this case in Hong Kong.

Most media did report the facts, but CNN choose to slant the situation against Falun Gong.  It is for this reason that I speak out. Please distribute this to all your news reporters in a responsible manner.

Sincerely,

A Reader

Posting date: 8/17/2002
Original article date: 8/17/2002
Category: Open Forum

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