Shen Yun accuses CCP of infiltrating American media

In the United States, Shen Yun Performing Arts, a performing arts company, faces a civil complaint filed by a former performer who left the group in 2019. This lawsuit includes allegations of exploitation and abuse towards the performers. However, the company claims that these allegations are part of a broader campaign orchestrated by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), intended to undermine Falun Gong’s presence overseas. This former performer reportedly has ties with a Chinese government entity and has been involved with media outlets that promote anti-Falun Gong narratives. Shen Yun states that her claims contradict her previous positive statements about her time with the company and suggests that external influences may have affected her current viewpoint. Furthermore, Shen Yun asserts that over the years, the CCP has conducted a smear campaign against them, which is allegedly tied to their objective of dismantling Falun Gong organizations abroad. The campaign aims at discrediting Shen Yun by manipulating certain media narratives and exploiting the grievances of a small number of former employees. As a result, threats against the performers have reportedly increased in recent months, indicating a dangerous escalation fueled by misrepresentations in the media. Shen Yun's latest statement highlights the cultural and religious bias present in mainstream media narratives, which they argue incite hatred toward their community and have real-life consequences, including threats of violence against their performers. Notably, they urge media outlets to fact-check claims made by former performers connected with the CCP, emphasizing the need for skepticism regarding the sources of these allegations. Therefore, Shen Yun calls for responsible journalism that considers the wider implications of reporting biased information.