BBC World News banned from airing in China in tit-for-tat with Britain’s media regulator
Beijing says BBC World News’s China-related reports harmed its national interests and undermined national unity.(Reuters: Henry Nicholls/File Photo)
British television channel BBC World News has been barred from airing in China, a week after Britain’s media regulator revoked Chinese state television’s broadcast licence.
Key points:
- BBC World News is not included in most TV channel packages in China
- A British media regulator revoked China’s CGTN’s licence to broadcast in the UK
- It comes after BBC reported systematic rape against women in China’s internment camps
In a statement issued on the stroke of the Lunar New Year, China’s National Radio and Television administration said an investigation found BBC World News’ China-related reports had “seriously violated” regulations, including that news should be “truthful and fair”, had harmed China’s national interests and undermined national unity.
The channel therefore does not meet requirements for foreign channels broadcasting in China and its application to air for another year will not be accepted, it added.
China’s move was condemned by British Foreign Minister Dominic Raab, while the BBC said it was “disappointed”.
“China has some of the most severe restrictions on media and internet freedoms across the globe, and this latest step will only damage China’s reputation in the eyes of the world.”
‘Troubling’ restrictions amid misinformation
At a regular news briefing, US State Department spokesman Ned Price condemned the decision.
“It’s troubling that as [China] restricts outlets and platforms from operating freely in China, Beijing’s leaders use free and open media environments overseas to promote misinformation,” he said.
Earlier this month, the State Department said it was “deeply disturbed” by reports carried by the BBC of systematic rape and sexual abuse against women in internment camps for ethnic Uyghurs and other Muslims in China’s Xinjiang region and said there must be serious consequences for atrocities there.
China denies accusations of abuses in Xinjiang and said the BBC report was “wholly without factual basis”.
English language BBC World News is not included in most TV channel packages in China but is available in some hotels and residences.
Two Reuters journalists in China said the channel had gone blank on their screens.
“We are disappointed that the Chinese authorities have decided to take this course of action,” the BBC said.
“The BBC is the world’s most trusted international news broadcaster and reports on stories from around the world fairly, impartially and without fear or favour.”
On February 4, British media regulator Ofcom revoked China Global Television Network’s (CGTN) licence to broadcast in the United Kingdom after an investigation found the licence was wrongfully held by Star China Media.
China criticised the ruling as politicised and warned it reserved the right to make a “necessary response”.
Reuters
