In the statement, China’s NRTA alleged that BBC World News had broadcast reports about China that “violated the principles of truthfulness and impartiality in journalism.”
On February 4, China’s Foreign Ministry filed a stern representation with the BBC criticizing the broadcaster for reporting China’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic, denouncing their reports as “fake news.”
‘We are disappointed that the Chinese authorities have decided to take this action. The BBC is the world’s most trusted international news channel, reporting honestly, impartially and without fear or favor on stories from around the world, ” a BBC spokesperson said in a statement to CNN Business.
Beijing has also repeatedly expressed frustration at the BBC’s coverage of China’s “re-education camps” for Uyghurs. The BBC claims that women have been systematically raped, sexually assaulted and tortured in the camps. China accuses the BBC of “spearheading explicit falsehoods about Chinese policy in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region”.
The BBC defended its journalism in a statement at the time, saying they stand behind their accurate and honest reporting on events in China.
It is unclear how much of an impact the Chinese ban on BBC World News would have in the country. The BBC has never been allowed to broadcast in mainland China or in Chinese homes. BBC World News was only available in international hotels.