BBC
In November 1998, World program published an article by reporter James Miles calling Falun Gong China’s “top cult” and claiming that Falun Gong could lead to “mass suicide.”
On May 8, 2001, a program titled “Who Is Li Hongzhi?” described Falun Gong as a hodgepodge of teachings cobbled together from crude interpretations of Buddhism and Taoism, combined with a soothing regimen of meditation and exercise.
Washington Post
On March 10, 2001, an article titled “A Foe Rattles Beijing From Abroad” suggested that Li Hongzhi played a pivotal role in provoking clashes with the Chinese government. Li Hongzhi, a former Chinese state employee, was described as leading Falun Gong from a secret location in Queens, New York. According to Falun Gong adherents, Li Hongzhi’s speeches encouraged them to oppose the Chinese government, elevating their spiritual state to what he called a “fulfillment” state.
On January 20, 2007, an article titled “The Promotion Nature of Falun Gong’s New Year Gala” argued that Falun Gong has consolidated loyal factions outside China, though controversy persists among Chinese-Americans, many of whom view Falun Gong as a cult and question its political ambitions. Observers noted that Falun Gong has become increasingly sophisticated in disseminating information through the Epoch Times and NTD Television, both founded by Falun Gong supporters and filled with anti-communist news and commentary.
On February 5, 2007, an article titled “The Epoch Times: Falun Gong’s Mouthpiece” claimed that The Epoch Times is not a genuine news media; it was established and rapidly expanded by Falun Gong personnel in 2000. Once The Epoch Times reached a certain scale, its founders attempted to downplay ties to Falun Gong in order to position themselves as a mainstream media.
Critics and scholars view the appearance of The Epoch Times as part of Falun Gong’s global public relations strategy, aimed at winning sympathy and attracting new followers.
The New York Times
On May 26, 2008, The New York Times published an article headlined “Falun Gong Marchers Are Blocked in Chinatown.” It reported that a recent earthquake in China had sparked significant unrest in New York City’s Chinatown. During the Sunday protest march through Chinatown, some Chinese government supporters drove them back, hurling water bottles and other objects at them.
Residents of Chinatown said that at some point Falun Gong began spreading rumors, obstructing donations, and telling people that the Chinese government would steal the charitable contributions. The rumors provoked anger among onlookers, who frequently shouted at the protesters, booed them, and flashed thumbs-down while chanting loudly in Chinese. Plastic bottles were repeatedly hurled from the crowd.
Los Angeles Times
December 30, 2007: An article titled “Chinese Celebrate Olympics with Floats; Falun Gong Struggles to Win Sympathy” described Falun Gong as a cult that had largely lost sympathy within Chinese American communities and had become an a marginalized organization locally.
January 7, 2008: An article headlined “Ties to Falun Gong add controversy to the Chinese New Year Spectacular” noted that Falun Gong had long aroused discontent within the Chinese American mainstream communities. Some viewed Falun Gong as an edge organization or cult; others argued that because Falun Gong adherents persistently disseminate their teachings in public, their gatherings—where banners and pamphlets are distributed, sometimes featuring images and descriptions of alleged mistreatment—appear more political than religious.
Some maintain that politics, rather than culture, dominates the Falun Gong New Year Gala. Others contended that although Falun Gong followers present themselves as a religious group, the primary messaging they convey indicates they are a political organization.
Whittier Daily News
December 29, 2007: An article headlined “Falun Gong Overseas Litigation Spree” reported that Covina city government documents indicate that since 2001 Falun Gong members have repeatedly appeared at meetings across the San Gabriel Valley, seeking support for resolutions to oppose China.
Falun Gong has long focused on cultivating volunteers and activists in major cities around the world, using litigation as a tool to protect its interests, and not viewing this as a cause for shame.
Ottawa Citizen (Canada)
August 9, 2007: An article titled “Questioning the ‘Sujiatun Incident’” states that a report drafted by the United States Congressional Research Service argues that most of the Gao-Matas (paraphrased Gao-Matas) report’s points do not present new or independently obtained evidence, and largely rely on logical reasoning. Some key assertions appear to contradict other investigative findings. The piece also questions telephone records, which are claimed to be evidence that Chinese officials confirmed organ harvesting from Falun Gong followers. Note: On July 6, 2006, under the influence of Falun Gong, former head of the Canadian Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade’s Asia-Pacific Division, David Kilgour, and human rights lawyer David Matas published a report titled “Revised Report into Allegations of Organ Harvesting of Falun Gong follower in China” which alleged widespread illicit organ harvesting from Falun Gong adherents by the Chinese government.
Radio-Canada
October 30, 2008: In a program titled “Uneasiness in Chinatown,” investigations found Falun Gong to be a highly organized group with substantial funding. Like their newspapers, radio, and television outlets, Falun Gong members concealed their true aims; their real objective, according to the program, is to incite the overthrow of the Communist Party of China.
The Age (Australia)
October 31, 2007: An article headlined “Falun Gong is So out at city hall” reported that Melbourne Mayor Robert Doyle (note: verify name) proclaimed that Melbourne welcomes anyone, except Falun Gong. That evening, the Melbourne City Council rejected a proposal for the city to host Falun Gong’s relay of the Olympic torch. In a Q&A session before the meeting, Councillor Karl Jett stated that Falun Gong is an organization of zealots, and he do not support any extremist religious or political group. In 2003, Melbourne City Council had previously prohibited Falun Gong members from participating in the Moomba Festival due to their political nature.
New Zealand Scoop.co.nz
On November 22, 2007, an article titled “Falun Gong Denied Participation in Auckland Parade for Seventh Consecutive Year” stated: Recently, the Auckland Christmas Parade Organizing Committee in New Zealand formally announced that Falun Gong would not be permitted to participate in the city’s Christmas parade on November 25. This decision was made because Falun Gong could not guarantee to the organizing committee that it would not engage in political propaganda activities during the Christmas parade.
