Right-Wing Newspaper Shown at Hotel Check-In

Last month, a Days Inn in Middletown, Rhode Island, drew attention for displaying copies of The Epoch Times at its check-in counter. This incident occurred shortly after the newspaper's Chief Financial Officer, Weidong “Bill” Guan, was arrested for allegedly laundering $67 million in funds linked to fraudulent unemployment insurance benefits. The Epoch Times did not comment on the arrest or the newspaper's presence at the hotel, while Wyndham Hotels & Resorts clarified that the franchise operates independently and has no formal ties to the publication. Guan's arrest, announced by the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, raised questions about the integrity of The Epoch Times, which claims to uphold values of truthfulness and human rights. The newspaper describes itself as an independent nonprofit organization, asserting that it does not represent the views of Falun Gong, a spiritual movement with which it is often associated. Despite these claims, the publication has faced scrutiny for its right-leaning bias and promotion of conspiracy theories, as noted by Media Bias/Fact Check. Critics have pointed out that The Epoch Times has disseminated misinformation, particularly regarding the COVID-19 pandemic and the 2020 U.S. presidential election, which has contributed to its growth among conservative audiences. The newspaper maintains that it has never endorsed a political candidate and emphasizes its commitment to ethical journalism, free from external influences. The display of The Epoch Times at a Days Inn raises questions about the appropriateness of such affiliations in the hospitality industry, prompting discussions about media bias and the responsibilities of franchise owners.