Epoch Times: A Small Change Can Make a Big Difference

August 30, 2006

Ms. Ng Chye Huay (L) and Mr. Erh Boon Tiong held a protest across the Chinese Embassy on July 20. (The Epoch Times)

Clearwisdom.net) SINGAPORE--Singapore's biggest paper, The Strait Times, in an article yesterday incorrectly reported the key facts in the trial of two Falun Gong adherents. The heavy hand of the Chinese regime most likely lies behind this "error."

The Falun Gong adherents are being prosecuted by Singapore for carrying a banner alleged to be "insulting" to, and to constitute "harassment" of, the Chinese regime. The exact wording of this banner is of the greatest importance for understanding this trial.

The article "Lawyer in Falun Gong case alleges 'unfair treatment'" (8-29-06) states that the banner held by the two Falun Gong [practitioners] read in English, "7.20 stop prosecution of Falun Gong in China" and in Chinese "On hunger strike to protest the Chinese Communist Party's prosecution of Falun Gong practitioners."

The banner actually read, "On hunger strike to protest the Chinese Communist Party's inhumane persecution of Falun Gong practitioners" in Chinese, and "7.20 stop persecution of Falun Gong in China" in English. [July 20 is the date the persecution of Falun Gong began in China in 1999.]

The differences are small. One word was left out --"inhumane." And one incorrect word was used -- "prosecution" instead of "persecution."

The implications of these changes are huge. The entire context of the article is changed in a way grossly misleading to the reader.

In most instances around the world these errors would be embarrassing for any newspaper. However, when informed of the errors, The Strait Times editor seemed strangely unmoved.

Of course, it is just possible that this was a simple mistake and the journalist in question merely misheard what the rest of the court heard perfectly well. However, the facts suggest this was a deliberate ploy meant to mislead the public by a paper closely aligned with the state.

The meaning of the banner as it actually stands is straight forward: Falun Gong adherents are being brutally persecuted and they are appealing for it to stop. As it reads in the Strait Times article, the banner suggests Falun Gong adherents are being taken to court by the government in China rather than being persecuted.

That erroneous statement is harmful in itself. That it does not relay the truth of the situation in China is far more damaging, in giving the Singapore public the impression that the Chinese regime is operating under the rule of law in its dealing with Falun Gong -- the farthest thing from the truth.

The interpretation that The Strait Times intentionally mis-stated the facts is supported by the reporting of another paper closely aligned with the government. The Chinese-language daily Lian He Zao Bao also printed gross inaccuracies regarding the banner's wording. Lian He Zao Bao replaced "inhumane persecution" with "compassionate persecution."

Singapore and China historically have had close ties, and at this moment are negotiating a free trade agreement. The very fact of this trial of two peaceful individuals on unfounded and ridiculous charges suggests the government of Singapore understands its interest to be in cooperating with the Chinese regime's persecution of Falun Gong. In doing so, Singapore is setting aside the rights of its own citizens.

To their shame, two newspapers appear to be working to assure that the truth of the matter remains hidden from the Singapore people.

Source: http://www.theepochtimes.com/news/6-8-30/45459.html