Hong Kong public broadcaster RTHK’s ban on BBC programming sparks questions over press freedom and ‘one country, two systems’
- RTHK’s ‘worrying’ move to follow Beijing’s lead in banning BBC programmes threatens the ‘free flow of information’ on which Hong Kong has thrived, one advocate says
- The move also raises concerns other private operators would be forced to adopt similar ban
The decision by RTHK to stop broadcasting BBC’s World Service and News Weekly starting from 11pm Friday night also prompted concerns that private TV operators could be pressured to follow suit. At least one network, however, told the Post it would continue to offer BBC programming for now.
In the early hours of Friday, RTHK announced it would no longer relay the BBC programmes, shortly after China’s National Radio and Television Administration banned the British public broadcaster “within Chinese territory”, citing its failure to meet broadcasting requirements.
The BBC had recently broadcast stories critical of Beijing on the coronavirus pandemic and internment camps for ethnic Uygurs and other Muslims in its far western Xinjiang region. China had rejected those claims and described the facilities as “vocational training centres” helping to stamp out extremism and give people new skills.
02:25
China bans BBC World News over Xinjiang report and after China state broadcaster loses UK licence
Beijing said BBC reports had damaged China’s interests and ethnic unity. But the ban came after Britain revoked the broadcasting licence of China Global Television Network (CGTN) last week, after it said the state-owned Chinese channel was ultimately controlled by the Chinese Communist Party and therefore violated British laws.
RTHK had previously aired BBC World Service daily from 11pm until 7am, and the Cantonese-language radio show BBC News Weekly every Sunday at 7am.