Satellite operator must not block independent TV broadcast to placate China

3.28.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Thu 17th Jul 2008

A protest letter has been sent from MEPs to European satellite operator Eutelsat, following their decision to suspend the broadcast of New Tang Dynasty Television (NTDTV) in China.

NTDTV has previously covered human rights issues such as repression in Tibet, the Falun Gong movement and underground Christian churches, and despite Eutelsat's denial there is evidence to suggest that the channel's suspension is politically motivated, aimed at appeasing the Chinese government.

Liberal Democrat European justice & human rights spokeswoman and London MEP Baroness Sarah Ludford, a signatory of the letter, said:

"Eutelsat's action undermines the free flow of information in China and is a further demonstration of the Chinese government's uncompromising force in squeezing out dissent from the messages they choose to propagate."

"Eutelsat should resume the broadcast of NTDTV forthwith and restore the faith of both its clients and those of us who oppose the continuing onslaught on free speech in China."