ICC Note:
Christians in China have reported that podcasts on a mobile app that contains religious materials are being deleted. China is having the podcasts removed in a bid to reduce the influence of “foreign religions.” A Catholic layman said that most of the podcasts he had shared had been removed. When the app was questioned as to why the podcasts were being removed they responded that they have received instructions from a “higher level” to remove any religious content. This move is just another in Beijing’s attempts to stamp out religious movements within China.
3/1/2017 China (UCA News) – Christian users of a podcast website and mobile app in China fear the deletion of their online religious programs is part of a movement to suppress “foreign religions.”
Across the country, Christians have reported the removal of religious programs from Ximalaya FM since Feb. 27 and many are concerned it is related to the State Administration for Religious Affairs plan for 2017 to strengthen the management of online religious output.
Paul, a Catholic layman in Hebei province, listened to and shared programs on Ximalaya including homilies, religious lectures and church news. “Most of the audio clips I shared from the site have been blocked and only very few remain,” he told ucanews.com. “Someone asked Ximalaya what happened and they said they received notification from a higher level to block all religious content,” Paul said.
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