China Bans BBC World News From Broadcasting

BBC World News loses broadcasting permit in China soon after their coverage on the COVID-19 pandemic and Uighur Muslims. (Creative Commons)

China’s Radio and Television Administration (NRTA) enforced a nationwide ban on the broadcasting of BBC World News on February 12. The administration issued the ban within days of media regulator Ofcom’s removal of China Global Television Network's (CGTN) license to air content in the United Kingdom. 

The motivation behind Ofcom’s revocation of CGTN’s license was its alleged wrongful ownership by Star China Media Limited. While the BBC ban can be seen as solely a reaction to this, evidence suggests that China’s decision was based on the content aired by BBC as well. China repeatedly criticized BBC’s take on the country’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as its portrayal of China’s persecution of Uighur Muslims.

A spokesperson for the NRTA said in an official statement that BBC World News reports regarding China were discovered to "seriously violate" broadcast guidelines, including "the requirement that news should be truthful and fair" and not "harm China's national interests."

In response, the British Broadcasting Service expressed its disillusionment with the poorly thought-out decision and declared, "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 dynamics between China and the UK have worsened over the last year, especially due to the Chinese government’s implementation of contentious security laws in response to the surge of a pro-democracy movement in Hong Kong. The international community, including the United Kingdom, has repeatedly criticized the Chinese government for silencing the voice of minorities, and the ban on BBC has further strengthened their stance against the country’s policies.