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'Seriously violated': China fires back at BBC after broadcast licence revoked

British television channel BBC World News has been barred from airing in China, the National Radio and Television Administration has said, a week after the UK media regulator revoked Chinese state television's broadcast licence.

In a statement issued on the stroke of the Lunar New Year, the administration said an investigation concluded that BBC World News' China-related reports had "seriously violated" regulations including that news should be "truthful and fair," had harmed China's interests and undermined national unity.

Visitors wearing masks are seen at Qianmen in Beijing, China. Source: AAP
British television channel BBC World News has been barred from airing in China. Source: AAP

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.

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

Two Reuters journalists in China said the channel had gone blank on their screens.

An entrance to the headquarters of the publicly funded BBC in London. Source: AAP
The move comes one week after the UK media regulator revoked Chinese state television's broadcast licence. Source: AAP

The BBC did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

On February 4, British media regulator Ofcom revoked China Global Television Network's (CGTN) licence to broadcast in the United Kingdom after an investigation concluded the licence was wrongfully held by Star China Media Ltd.

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