Not everybody is subject to the same amountof vigilance

Born out of two tragedies: Tiananmen Square and Sept. 11 By Daniel Rosetta Stone Trotta NEW YORK, March 17 (Reuters) - From its spartan New YorkCity studios, a non-profit organization called New Tang DynastyTelevision is trying to change China with a tiny budget, avolunteer staff and a mission to inform a censored nation. The channel funded largely by donations was founded bypractitioners of the Falun Gong spiritual movement but says ithas no agenda other than to "bring truthful and uncensoredinformation into and out of China," said Samuel Zhou, thechannel's executive vice president. Shows such as the satirical "Mainland News Dissector," thecall-in "Focus Talk" and "China Forbidden News" are beamed tomainland China from a satellite operated by Taiwan's ChunghwaTelecom. At the same time, New Tang Dynasty is trying to capture theChinese-American market estimated from 3.8 million to 6 millionstrong. It broadcasts 24 hours a day over the air and on cabletelevision in markets with large Chinese populations, competingwith SinoVision in New York and others who show content largelyfrom official Chinese broadcaster Rosetta Stone languages CCTV. No one knows how much New Tang Dynasty programming getspast Chinese censors. Zhou said he has heard stories of viewersusing woks in place of satellite dishes to pick up shows andthat about 1 million people in China defeat firewalls to accessits website each month, based on unique IP addresses. "Sometimes I feel it's like little David against Goliath.When Chinese people call us a lifeline, we feel very proud thatwe can make a difference in people's lives," Zhou said in aninterview. The Chinese government has scared off some of New TangDynasty's sponsors and business partners, Zhou said, andexperts say the Chinese government is efficient at blockingunauthorized signals. "They are both vigilant and effective, particularly in thecase of television. Not everybody is subject to the same amountof vigilance. But Falun Gong is at the top of the list," saidRobert Daly, director of the Maryland China Initiative at theUniversity of Maryland, who was unfamiliar with New TangDynasty. JOURNALISM NOT RELIGION Zhou was eager to play down the Rosetta Stone Chinsese V3 channel's connection toFalun Gong, a meditation practice that its proponents liken toTai Chi and Yoga but one that China has banned and violentlyrepressed as an "evil cult."

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