About The Epoch Times
About Us
The Epoch Times is an independent media organization dedicated to delivering value-driven journalism that informs, inspires, and provides clarity.
We were founded in 2000 on the premise that truth and tradition are cornerstones of a thriving society. We have a deep commitment to freedom of the press, drawing inspiration from the experiences of our first reporters and editors in China, who faced state-sanctioned censorship, torture, and jail.
We have an unwavering commitment to stories that matter, in-depth reporting, and timeless values. Our goal is to serve our readers with reporting free from political agendas, corporate influence, and government pressure.
The Epoch Times is one of the fastest-growing media companies in the United States. Internationally, we publish in 22 languages across 35 countries.
The Epoch Times has received numerous awards for our reporting and design, including from the Society of Professional Journalists, the New York Press Association, and the Society for News Design.
Our Outlook
Our Mission
Our mission is to inform, inspire, and elevate our readers by delivering fact-based journalism rooted in tradition and integrity that encourages independent thought.
In a complex world, we seek to foster a deeper understanding of the issues that shape our lives, and offer information and insights to help our readers make intelligent decisions for themselves and their families.
Our Vision
To be the trusted source for news and insights, while restoring clarity, wisdom, and tradition in an age of noise and confusion.
Our Values
We pursue facts with rigor and present them with honesty, striving always for accuracy and clarity.
We answer to our readers. Our journalism is free from political, corporate, or special interest influence.
We seek to uphold the highest ethical standards in our reporting.
We honor timeless values and wisdom, believing they provide guidance and grounding in a changing world.
We shine light on issues others ignore, standing up for human rights and freedom of thought.
Our Editorial Team
The Epoch Times was founded in 2000 with a clear purpose: to uncover and share the truth amid a human rights catastrophe in communist China. Since then, our focus has expanded internationally and our editorial team has grown and strengthened around a shared goal, to provide high-quality, unbiased news and information.
Jasper Fakkert
Editor-in-chief
Joshua Philipp
Senior Investigative Reporter
Jan Jekielek
Senior Editor
Channaly Philipp
Life and Tradition, Travel Editor
Charlotte Cuthbertson
Senior Reporter
Sharon Kilarski
Arts and Culture Editor
Petr Svab
Reporter
Learn more about us below.
Our Story
(Left) Staff at the print shop that prints the Hong Kong edition of The Epoch Times react to a fire started by four masked men on Nov. 19, 2019. (Right) A CCTV screenshot shows intruders dressed in black, one wielding a sledge-hammer, damaging printing press equipment at the print shop of the Hong Kong edition of The Epoch Times on April 12, 2021.
Having witnessed events like the Tiananmen Square massacre and the persecution of the spiritual group Falun Gong, and at great risk to themselves and their loved ones, a group of Chinese Americans started publishing The Epoch Times in the Chinese language in the United States in the year 2000. Our reporters and editors in China were soon arrested. Some were given prison sentences of up to 10 years and suffered severe torture.
Our first English-language edition was published online in 2003, followed by the first print edition in 2004. Our beginnings have instilled in Epoch Times staff an unwavering commitment to integrity, truthfulness in reporting, and respect for human rights and freedom.
We regard the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) as the gravest threat to the Chinese people—and the world’s people—and highlight in our reporting the distinction between the CCP and the people of China. Exposing the CCP's human rights abuses in China and its ongoing campaign to subvert Western societies is a focus of our reporting.
While The Epoch Times was founded by followers of Falun Gong from diverse backgrounds and perspectives, it is an independent nonprofit organization and does not—and indeed could not—speak on behalf of Falun Gong or the followers of the spiritual practice.
Falun Gong is a spiritual practice based on the universal principles of truthfulness, compassion, and tolerance. Followers come from a variety of nationalities, backgrounds, and political persuasions.
From its earliest days, The Epoch Times has been targeted by the CCP for our reporting on the regime’s crimes against humanity. Our reporters have been attacked, jailed, and defamed. Our Hong Kong press has been targeted with break-ins and arson; our staff members have been assaulted; and our newsstands have been vandalized, well beyond China’s borders.
Our 2004 editorial series “Nine Commentaries on the Communist Party” inspired a grassroots movement for Chinese people to quit the CCP and its affiliated organizations. To date, nearly 450 million people have quit. Despite being banned in China, The Epoch Times is the premier news source for millions of Chinese who use virtual private networks to circumvent the regime's Great Firewall.
Amid the CCP's tight control of information, we rely on a network of trusted sources from all levels of society to relay accurate information to us. In spite of the full force of the CCP apparatus working against us, The Epoch Times has become a multinational media company that spans 35 countries and 22 languages.
Why Readers Trust The Epoch Times
Readers trust The Epoch Times because our commitment is to them. More than 90 percent of our funding comes directly from subscribers, not advertisers or outside interests. We are transparent about our values and our mission. Our reporting is guided by rigorous standards, a respect for tradition, and a belief in the dignity of every individual. In a world where media trust is at historic lows, our readers know they can rely on us for honest, thoughtful journalism that puts their interests first. We help our readers see the world clearly, think independently, and make informed decisions.
Editorial Independence
1. Truly Independent
The Epoch Times is a totally independent nonprofit organization. We're not
affiliated with any of the six major corporations that own the vast majority
of media in the United States.
Our mission is inspired by our founders’ personal experiences in communist China and their efforts to bring honest, uncensored news in the face of oppression and violence.
You can read more about that here.
2. Rated as 'Center' in the Allsides Blind Bias Survey
In September 2021, Allsides released the findings of its August 2020 Blind Bias Survey, in which more than 2,000 people across the political spectrum rated the media bias of five different news outlets blindly, seeing only their content and editorial choices.
The Epoch Times was rated against four major media outlets: The New York Times, The Associated Press, the BBC, and Bloomberg.
Final bias ratings are typically arrived at via a combination of methods, including surveys, editorial reviews (conducted by a team that includes a balance of people from the left, center, and right of the political spectrum), third-party data, and independent research.
Below are visualizations of the data collected.
3. The Epoch Times Has Never Endorsed a Political Candidate
The Epoch Times has built a team of reporters who are dedicated to seeking and reporting the truth regardless of whether what they find conflicts with their personal biases.
The Epoch Times is so committed to this principle that it has never endorsed a political candidate for office.
Journalistic Credibility
The Epoch Times practices traditional journalism.
Our reporters are required to get all sides of a story and allow someone who is being criticized to respond.
Our reporters are guided by the highest code of conduct and ethics in their reporting.
The Epoch Times’ commentary can only be found in a distinct “Opinion” section.
The Epoch Times strives to maintain accuracy and uphold journalistic integrity by following our editorial guidelines on source verification and our editing process. When errors are discovered after publication, The Epoch Times promptly issues corrections or clarifications.
Recognition and Awards
Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) Sigma Delta Chi Awards:
The Epoch Times won this prestigious award in 2012 in the category of "Non-Deadline Reporting" for its work on a series of reports on the Chinese Communist Party's atrocity of forced, live organ harvesting.
New York Press Association (NYPA) Awards
The Epoch Times has been recognized by NYPA for its excellence in various categories.
Asian American Journalists Association (AAJA) Awards:
The Epoch Times has received recognition from the AAJA for its contributions to journalism.
CONTENT 2020 Awards
The Epoch Times and EpochTV's "Crossroads" program won awards in the News & Journalism category—the Truth in Journalism Award and the Best Video Magazine Award, respectively—at the CONTENT2020 media summit.
Readership and Audience Trust
The Epoch Times receives constant feedback from grateful readers. Here are some examples:
Knowing the truth and having something like Epoch Times that brings it forward to people I think is fantastic, and I subscribe.
–Tony Robbins, Author, coach and speaker
I think your coverage is thoughtful and balanced in a way that I haven’t seen elsewhere, and I say this, by the way, as a former senior vice president of CBS News. I would say that I know a lot about media and journalism.
–Jeff Ballabon, Former SVP, CBS News
They are the folks who are out there promoting the truth. [...] They are real news. They are what we used to call journalists. They are not asserting their opinions. They are telling you what it is and letting you make your own decisions. [...] We not only enjoy The Epoch Times, we also want to support The Epoch Times because they are real journalists who are taking the truth and bringing it to the masses, [...] not just here in America but around the world.
–Chris Widener, NYT & WSJ Bestselling Author, Motivational Speakers Hall of Fame
Our Reach
Epoch Media Group is a global media company. Besides our media products in English, it has other 22 language editions distributed in 35 regions and countries. Our branches or news centers are located in
United States
Manhattan, Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Detroit, Miami, Houston, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, San Diego, San Francisco, Seattle, Washington D.C.
Canada
Calgary, Edmonton, Montreal, Ottawa, Toronto, Vancouver
Latin America
Mexico, Brazil
Asia
Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Singapore, Taiwan (Taipei, Taichung, Tainan, Kaohsiung)
Oceania
Australia (Adelaide, Canberra, Melbourne, Perth, Sydney, Queensland), New Zealand
Europe
France, Germany, Nordic region (Sweden, Denmark, Norway), UK
Our Products
Epoch News
The Epoch Times is the fastest-growing independent news media in America. We are nonpartisan and dedicated to truthful reporting.
We are free from the influence of any government, corporation, or political party—and this is what makes us different from other media organizations. Our goal is to bring our readers accurate information so they can form their own opinions about the most significant topics of our time.
We don’t follow the unhealthy trend of agenda-driven journalism prevalent in today’s media environment.
Instead, we use our principles of Truth and Tradition as our guiding light. We highlight in our reporting the best of humanity, the valuable lessons of history, and traditions that are beneficial for society.
TheEpochTimes.comEpoch TV
EpochTV is a streaming platform for our exclusive programming, which covers not only investigative news analysis, in-depth interviews, award-winning documentaries, but also lifestyle and entertainment videos.
Epoch Health
At Epoch Health, we strengthen our readers in mind, body, and soul.
We blend holistic insight and timeless wisdom with practical guidance to help each reader build better habits, develop a stronger character, and live a healthier, more meaningful life.
Our journalists cover topics that matter—whether it’s widely used yet risky food ingredients, the silent epidemic of smartphones, the unexpected consequences of artificial intelligence, or conventional and holistic perspectives on common diseases.
We also revive timeless yet often overlooked aspects of well-being—from the healing power of virtues, classical art, and traditional habits, to traditional Chinese medicine, China’s holistic medicine before communism.
Our journalists talk to experts, highlight the best medical research from the most influential journals, and seek the big picture and the root causes.
Our Experts & Reporters:
TheEpochTimes.com/healthNewspaper
In addition to dedicated news and opinion sections, which are separate categories in our daily and weekly newspapers, we also feature sections covering Life and Tradition, Mind and Body, and Home.
Mind & Body
Sharing the expertise and successful protocols of a large pool of researchers and doctors for information, the Mind & Body section provides readers with key insights into their bodies, mental acuity, and well-being.
Life & Tradition
We feature stories of individuals who work toward enhancing our communities, as well as provide helpful tips to support your family and improve your quality of life throughout the year.
Home
From DIY projects to gardening guides, money management advice, and clever household hacks; this section offers practical tips, expert advice, and ideas to help you cultivate a peaceful, comfortable, and contented living space.
American Essence Magazine
This is a magazine for Americans who love their nation. It is a magazine that focuses on traditional American values and great American stories. It tells the stories of real Americans who take individual initiative to make their lives and the lives of others better. It offers stories of heroes and regular folks from the past and the present who took the high road. These are stories of generosity and goodness that inspire us to look at things in a better light.
The magazine’s main content focuses on the best of America. Regular features include stories of the Founding Fathers, great Americans, small farms, beautiful landscapes, small-town living, American artists, historical buildings, Made in America products, and people who exemplify achievement, creativity, and enterprise.
Leadership & Governance
Board of Directors
- Janice Trey, CPAChairman of the Board
- Samuel Zhou, Ph.D.President and Chief Executive Officer
- Chin-Hua Chang, Ph.D.Emeritus Professor & Chair of Journalism, National University of Taiwan
- F. Christina Yuan, CFARetired VP, Morgan Stanley Investment Management
- Alejandro Centurion, M.D.Neurology, American Board of Psychiatry & Neurology
Ownership & Funding
The Epoch Times is a nonprofit organization dedicated to delivering independent and trustworthy news. As a nonprofit, it is not owned by any individual or group but is governed by a Board of Directors that provides strategic oversight, and an executive team that manages daily operations. The organization’s funding comes primarily from its readers, with more than 90 percent of revenue generated through its news subscription business. This model ensures that The Epoch Times remains accountable to its mission of serving the public with factual and unbiased reporting, supported by the people it serves.
Q & A