China barred Britain's BBC World News from its television networks on Friday and Hong Kong's public broadcaster said it would stop relaying BBC World Service radio, a week after Britain revoked Chinese state television's broadcast licence.
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China has banned the broadcast of BBC World News in Mainland Chinese on Thursday. The decision comes in wake of BBC s coverage on various issues in Xinjiang and how the broadcaster reported the country s handling of COVID-19, ANI reported.
The National Radio and Television Administration issued a statement ahead of the Lunar New Year, saying the ban was imposed after an investigation found BBC World News in violation of regulations that harmed China s national interests and undermined national unity, Reuters reported.
In view of this, the channel s application to renew its airing rights for another year stands rejected. This could also be seen in response to British media regulator Ofcom revoking China Global Television Network s (CGTN) s broadcasting licence in the UK earlier this month. But the reason for Ofcom s decision was based on an investigation that found the license was wrongfully held by Star China Media Ltd
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China s move was heavily criticised by British Foreign Minister Dominic Raab.
He said: China s decision to ban BBC World News in mainland China is an unacceptable curtailing of media freedom. 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.
It comes after Ofcom revoked China Global Television Network s (CGTN) licence on February 4.
Two journalists in China said the channel had gone blank on their screens. (Image: GETTY)
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The ban meant the channel was unable to broadcast in the UK after an investigation found the licence was wrongfully held by Star China Media Ltd.