Chinese regulators banned BBC World News on Thursday, claiming that the global network “seriously violated” the country’s broadcasting rules.
The National Radio and Television Administration cited “the requirement that the news be truthful and accurate” and “not harm China’s national interests.”
Therefore, the channel does not meet the requirements for foreign channels broadcasting in China, and its request for broadcasting for another year will not be accepted, he added.
Chinese regulators have removed BBC World from the air
BBC World News in English is not included in most TV channel packages in China, but is available in some hotels and residences.
“We are disappointed that the Chinese authorities have decided to take this course of action,” the BBC said in a statement.
“The BBC is the world’s most trusted international news broadcaster and reports on stories around the world fairly, impartially and without fear or favor.”
British regulators ban Chinese state television
China’s move comes a week after British regulator Ofcom revoked British license for Chinese global television network (CGTN)
An investigation found that an entity called Star China Media Limited was wrongly licensed for the network.
Ofcom said it had no “editorial responsibility” for the channel’s exit and therefore “did not meet the legal requirement to have control over the licensed service.”
Star acted as a distributor, rather than as a news channel provider, he added.
The UK regulators also rejected a CGTN proposal to transfer the license to a new entity.
They found that it would eventually still be controlled by the Chinese Communist Party and therefore disqualified under British law.
Britain: “This will damage China’s reputation”
Later on Thursday, the British government described China’s decision to ban the BBC as “unacceptable”.
British Foreign Minister Dominic Raab said on Twitter: “China’s decision to ban BBC World News in mainland China is an unacceptable restriction on press freedom.”
“China has some of the most severe restrictions on media and internet freedoms in the world, and this latest step will only affect China’s reputation in the eyes of the world.”
jf / dj (AFP, Reuters)