BBC World barred from airing in China

BBC World News has been barred from airing in China, the Chinese state media CGTN said early on Friday, citing the National Radio and Television Administration.

In a statement issued on the stroke of the Lunar New Year, the 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 has criticised the BBC for its reporting on the deadly coronavirus pandemic and the persecution of ethnic minority Uighurs and lodged a protest with the British broadcaster.

"As the channel fails to meet the requirements to broadcast in China as an overseas channel, BBC World News is not allowed to continue its service within Chinese territory. The NRTA will not accept the channel's broadcast application for the new year," NRTA said in a statement.

China's ban followed British media regulator Ofcom revoking state broadcaster CGTN licence to broadcast in the UK.

Ofcom's decision to revoke the license of CGTN came after it found that the Chinese state television licence was wrongfully held by Star China Media Ltd.

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

The BBC said it was "disappointed" with the move, which applies to mainland China, where the channel is already censored and restricted to international hotels.

"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," a BBC spokeswoman said.