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China-Japan-Koreas
BBC World News barred from airing in China
2021-02-12
More decoupling from China.
[AlAhram] British television channel BBC World News was barred on Friday from airing in China, a week after Britannia's media regulator revoked Chinese state television
... and if you can't believe state television who can you believe?
's licence to broadcast in the United Kingdom.

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 the country'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 would not be accepted, it added.

English-language BBC World News is not included in most TV channel packages in China, but is available in some hotels and residences.

Two Rooters journalists in China said the channel had gone blank on their screens.

China’s move was condemned by British Foreign Minister Dominic Raab and the U.S. State Department, while the BBC said it was "disappointed".

"China’s decision to ban BBC World News in mainland China is an unacceptable curtailing of media freedom," Raab said.

"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."

At a regular news briefing, U.S. State Department front man Ned Price condemned the decision, adding:

"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."

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 Uighurs and other Moslems 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".

The BBC said it was disappointed by the decision of the Chinese authorities to bar BBC World News from broadcasting.

"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," the BBC said.

On Feb. 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 Ltd.

China criticised the ruling as politicised and warned it reserved the right to make a "necessary response".
Posted by:trailing wife

#5  One was tempted to tune in today
To listen to un-Katty Kay,
Oft observed in the breach
As she fights for free speech --
Or some book-burning mouse
Back at Broadcasting House,
Pitch a hissy... but one hates to pay.
Posted by: Maggie Hupomp2614   2021-02-12 18:43  

#4  What hypocrisy for the current US regime to even mention "free and open media environments"!
Posted by: Bubba Lover of the Faeries8843   2021-02-12 14:00  

#3  Yeah, it's a bit hard to see how BBC wasn't red enough for the CCP.
Posted by: M. Murcek   2021-02-12 12:10  

#2   I wish it was banned in the US.

Posted by: Bigfoot Lover of the Texans1888   2021-02-12 11:50  

#1  I wish it was banned in the US.
Posted by: Spoter B   2021-02-12 07:21  

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