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UK regulator Ofcom revokes broadcast licence of China's CGTN UK regulator Ofcom revokes broadcast license of China’s CGTN
(32 minutes later)
Broadcasting regulator Ofcom has revoked the China Global Television Network's (CGTN) licence to air its programming in the UK according to a statement issued Thursday. According to a statement issued on Thursday, the broadcasting regulator Ofcom has revoked China Global Television Network's license to air its programs in the UK.
An Ofcom investigation found that the license used by CGTN had been wrongfully held by Star China Media Ltd.  An Ofcom investigation found that the license under which CGTN was operating had been wrongfully held by Star China Media Ltd (SCML). 
In a statement, Ofcom reiterated that "licence holders cannot be controlled by political bodies." In a statement, Ofcom reiterated that “licence holders cannot be controlled by political bodies.”
Star China Media Limited (SCML) was found not to have editorial control or responsibility for CGTN's programming and therefore did not meet the requirement to hold a broadcasting license. It said SCML does not have editorial control or responsibility for CGTN’s programming, and therefore did not meet the requirement to hold a broadcasting license.
Its investigation found that CGTN is controlled by CCTV which, as part of the China Media Group, is "controlled by the Chinese Communist Party and therefore disqualified from holding a broadcast licence under UK." Its investigation found that CGTN is controlled by Chinese Central Television, which, as part of the China Media Group, is “controlled by the Chinese Communist Party and therefore disqualified from holding a broadcast licence under UK laws.”
The regulator claims that it was unable to transfer the license to CGTN directly as "crucial information was missing from the application" adding that even if said information had been provided, the fact that CGTNC is controlled by the Chinese Communist Party would preclude it from holding a licence in the UK anyway. The regulator claims it was unable to transfer the license to CGTN directly as “crucial information was missing from the application,” adding that, even if said information had been provided, the fact that the Chinese Communist Party controls CGTN would in any case preclude it from holding a license in the UK.
"We are unable to approve the application to transfer the licence to China Global Television Network Corporation because it is ultimately controlled by the Chinese Communist Party, which is not permitted under UK broadcasting law," a spokesperson for Ofcom said in a statement.  SCML was found to be the distributor but not “the producer” of the service, and none of CGTN’s key stakeholders and senior editorial personnel were found to be employed by SCML, Ofcom said.
SCML was found to be the distributor but not "the producer" of the service and none of CGTN's key stakeholders and senior editorial personnel were found to be employed by SCML, Ofcom said.
The broadcaster will likely also face separate sanctions over its coverage.The broadcaster will likely also face separate sanctions over its coverage.
"We expect to conclude separate sanctions proceedings against CGTN for due impartiality and fairness and privacy breaches shortly," the statement said. “We expect to conclude separate sanctions proceedings against CGTN for due impartiality and fairness and privacy breaches shortly,” the statement said.
The regulator acknowledged that "the revocation of a broadcast licence is a significant interference with a broadcaster’s right to freedom of expression" and claims it afforded CGTN sufficient time to come into compliance but failed to do so after a September 2020 application failed.  The regulator acknowledged that “the revocation of a broadcast licence is a significant interference with a broadcaster’s right to freedom of expression,” and claims it afforded CGTN sufficient time to comply, but it failed to do so after its September 2020 application was rejected. 
Ofcom concluded its statement by criticising CGTN's coverage of the Hong Kong protests which were found to be in "serious breach" of fairness and privacy rules, for which it is now considering the sanctions it alleges are separate from Thursday's decision to revoke the agency's broadcasting license.  Ofcom concluded its statement by criticizing CGTN’s coverage of the Hong Kong protests, which it said was in “serious breach” of fairness and privacy rules. It is now considering sanctions in that regard that would be separate from Thursday’s decision to revoke the agency's broadcasting license. 
CGTN has yet to issue a statement in response to the Ofcom’s decision.   CGTN has yet to issue a statement in response to Ofcom’s decision.  
Meanwhile, the Chinese Foreign Ministry claimed it had made "stern representations" to to the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) over what it described as "fake news" coverage of the Covid-19 pandemic and called on the British state broadcaster to apologise.  Meanwhile, the Chinese Foreign Ministry claimed it had made “stern representations” to the BBC over what it described as “fake news” coverage of the Covid-19 pandemic, and called on the British state broadcaster to apologize. 
A spokesperson said the BBC had "linked the pandemic to politics" and "rehashed theories about covering up by China," shortly after the Ofcom decision was announced. Shortly after the Ofcom decision was announced, a ministry spokesperson said the BBC had “linked the pandemic to politics” and “rehashed theories about covering up by China.”
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