UK media regulator revokes CGTN broadcasting licence

4 February 2021

UK media regulator revokes CGTN broadcasting licence

UK media regulator Ofcom announced on 4 February that it has withdrawn the licence for CGTN to broadcast in the UK. The regulator gave details of its decision, stating that “…after its investigation concluded that the licence is wrongfully held by Star China Media Limited.”

Ofcom’s statement on the affair said:

“China Global Television Network (CGTN) is an international English-language satellite news channel.

In the UK, broadcasting laws made by Parliament state that broadcast licensees must have control over the licensed service – including editorial oversight over the programmes they show. In addition, under these laws, licence holders cannot be controlled by political bodies.^[1]

Our investigation concluded that Star China Media Limited (SCML), the licence-holder for the CGTN service, did not have editorial responsibility for CGTN’s output. As such, SCML does not meet the legal requirement of having control over the licensed service, and so is not a lawful broadcast licensee.

In addition, we have been unable to grant an application to transfer the licence to an entity called China Global Television Network Corporation (CGTNC). This is because crucial information was missing from the application, and because we consider that CGTNC would be disqualified from holding a licence, as it is controlled by a body which is ultimately controlled by the Chinese Communist Party.

We have given CGTN significant time to come into compliance with the statutory rules. Those efforts have now been exhausted.

Following careful consideration, taking account of all the facts and the broadcaster’s and audience’s rights to freedom of expression, we have decided it is appropriate to revoke the licence for CGTN to broadcast in the UK.

We expect to conclude separate sanctions proceedings against CGTN for due impartiality and fairness and privacy breaches shortly.

Ofcom’s investigation

Our investigation found that SCML does not have editorial responsibility for selecting or compiling CGTN’s programme schedule. It is the distributor of the CGTN service in the UK, rather than “the provider” of the service.^[2]

In addition, none of the employees involved in CGTN’s decision-making, or day-to-day running of the channel, appear to be employed by SCML. CGTNC confirmed that its Global Editorial Board is the ultimate decision maker over the selection and organisation of programmes for the CGTN service and exercises editorial control.

CGTN’s licence transfer application

In response to our enquiries, CGTN accepted that SCML did not control the channel and should no longer hold the licence. But it confirmed its intention to restructure to separate the CGTN division from China Central Television (CCTV) – which is ultimately controlled by the Chinese Communist Party and so disqualified from holding a UK broadcast licence^[3] – and apply to transfer the licence to an entity which did control the channel.

Given the revocation of a broadcast licence is a significant interference with a broadcaster’s right to freedom of expression, we considered it appropriate to allow CGTN a reasonable period of time to come into compliance.

An application to transfer the licence to CGTNC was submitted in September 2020. However, we were unable to properly assess it. Crucial information was missing from the application, while the restructure that CGTN had signalled had not, and still has not, taken place.

CGTN has since repeatedly failed to respond to important questions necessary to our assessment of its application to transfer the licence, or to offer any update on progress with its restructure.

Links between CGTNC and CCTV

Having considered the available evidence, we have decided we are unable to grant the application to transfer the licence from SCML to CGTNC.

Correspondence from CGTN submitted during the course of our investigation makes clear that CGTNC is controlled by CCTV, which is also the sole shareholder of CGTNC.

Given CGTNC 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 broadcasting laws – we consider that CGTNC would be disqualified from holding a licence.

An Ofcom spokesperson said: “Our investigation showed that the licence for China Global Television Network is held by an entity which has no editorial control over its programmes. 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.

“We’ve provided CGTN with numerous opportunities to come into compliance, but it has not done so. We now consider it appropriate to withdraw the licence for CGTN to broadcast in the UK.”

Other CGTN cases

In 2020 we found CGTN in breach of the Ofcom Broadcasting Code for failing to preserve due impartiality in its coverage of the Hong Kong protests, and also found a serious breach of our fairness and privacy rules.^[4]

Due to the seriousness of these breaches, we told CGTN that we would consider imposing sanctions.

Today’s decision does not affect these sanctions proceedings against CGTN, and we expect to reach our decisions shortly.

We have three other fairness and privacy investigations about content on the CGTN service which also remain ongoing, pending further consideration.”

CGTN has been monitored still broadcasting to the UK via the Freesat platform at the headquarters of the AIB at 1530GMT on 4 February.

UPDATE: The service ceased on Freesat at 1638GMT.

NHK WORLD February programme highlights

3 February 2021

NHK WORLD February programme highlights

Art is trash without social impact

February 6

23:10 / 5:10 / 10:10 / 17:10

“I don’t have talent like Picasso,” says Matsuyama Tomokazu. Yet, he’s acquired quite a following since moving to the U.S. in his 20s. His work is in numerous collections, including that of Bill Gates. 2020 was supposed to bring a triumphant return to Japan, with projects at Meiji Shrine and Shinjuku station. However, the Olympics were postponed and other projects during his stay were interrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The program tracks 300 turbulent days in which Matsuyama struggled to keep his team together.

Zeroing in: Carbon Neutral 2050

People are reducing their carbon footprint for a sustainable future. This series is produced in partnership with Northern California Public Media.

Episode 3: Climate Resilient Farming

How we tend the land has a great impact on our climate system. Instead of ploughing, some California farmers are working with soil microbes to grow food and retain carbon.

Episode 4: Living on Renewable Energy

California aims to reach carbon neutrality by 2045 while achieving economic growth. We look at how businesses in the state are turning to renewable energy to power their operations.

Miracle Body

Breaking Limits With Hyper-Adaptability

February 13th

15:10 / 21:10 / 3:10 / 9:10

Tatyana McFadden is a Paralympian who has won multiple gold medals competing in marathons and more. We see how her brain rewired itself to achieve such feats in a phenomenon called hyper-adaptability.

Side by Side

Wednesdays

1:30 / 7:30 / 10:30 / 19:30

Working together. Inspiring stories of Japanese people working with communities in developing countries to help solve issues and create opportunities.

AIB Annual Review 2020 published

28 January 2021

AIB Annual Review 2020 published

The Association for International Broadcasting has published its 2020 Annual Review

The Annual Review reports on the work of the AIB during 2020 and explains how the Association has worked to maintain its services to Members around the world during the pandemic. In spite of the restrictions imposed, the AIB continued to work on areas as diverse as media freedom, cyber security, regulatory affairs, spectrum management and celebrating success in journalism and factual productions with the annual AIBs.

“It has been important for the AIB to continue to support and serve its international Membership,” says AIB Chief Executive Simon Spanswick. “This Annual Review explains how we tackled the challenges that everyone faced in 2020 and how we continued to deliver measurable impact in a wide range of areas. It was really ‘business as usual’ for the AIB, although of course we were unable to stage live events and visit our Members. We found ways to continue to operate our full complement of activities and indeed expanded the range of work to include pandemic-specific work. It’s testament to the dedication and flexibility of all the AIB’s staff.”

You can read the Annual Review online here.

New leaders at US international broadcasters

24 January 2021

New leaders at US international broadcasters

The United States Agency for Global Media (USAGM) Acting Chief Executive Officer Kelu Chao has replaced the heads of the three U.S.-funded international broadcasting grantees. Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL), Radio Free Asia (RFA) and the Middle East Broadcasting Networks (MBN) now have leadership that will promote democracy and other American values abroad.

“I have great faith in these leaders in ensuring the highest standards of independent, objective, and professional journalism,” said Acting CEO Chao.

In addition, Acting CEO Chao named new corporate board directors for the three grantees, replacing the board directors named by former CEO Michael Pack just days before he resigned at President Biden’s request on January 20. The new directors are Ambassador Karen Kornbluh (chair), Ambassador Ryan Crocker, and Michael Kempner.

“Now more than ever,” said Kornbluh, “U.S. international media must serve as an accurate, reliable source of news and information in places where illuminating truth is needed the most.”

The new leaders at the three grantees are now:

Daisy Sindelar as Acting RFE/RL President, replacing Ted Lipien; a permanent president will be named shortly.
Bay Fang returns to her post as RFA President, replacing Stephen Yates.
Kelley Sullivan as Acting MBN President, replacing Victoria Coates.

President Joseph R. Biden named Chao as Acting CEO on January 20, 2021.

USAGM CEO Michael Pack names Board of Directors

20 January 2021

USAGM CEO Michael Pack names Board of Directors

Pursuant to the provisions of the William M. Thornberry National Defense Authorization Act, new boards of directors consisting entirely of independent directors have been appointed for Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Radio Free Asia, and Middle East Broadcasting Networks.

The diverse boards bring exceptional skill in the fields of journalism, language, technology, broadcasting, and diplomacy that are essential to the work of the three surrogate broadcast networks, which provide a lifeline of factual news for those living in places where a free press is denied to them by repressive government.

Blanquita Cullum, the chairwoman of the three boards, remarked, “From my previous service on the Broadcasting Board of Governors, I understand the importance of delivering objective, accurate news about America and the world to combat our adversaries’ misinformation campaigns and to shine the light of truth into those dark corners where access to a free press is denied. The other board members and I will fight to ensure these networks and their journalists have the tools and support they need to perform their difficult but essential work, which itself is crucial for our national interest.”

The new boards each consist of the following five members:

Blanquita Cullum, Chairwoman. Host, producer, and writer for “The Hard Question.” Recently inducted into the Texas Radio Hall of Fame and was named “Champion of Radio” by the Multicultural Correspondents Association in 2016. She is a co-founder of Voices Against Trafficking. Previously a Governor of the Broadcasting Board of Governors from 2002-2010, Chairwoman Cullum has had a long and distinguished career in radio and television broadcasting.

Jonathan Alexander, Director. Senior Counsel for Governmental Affairs, Liberty Counsel. Has worked extensively on religious liberty issues and was previously Assistant General Counsel at Massachusetts Family Institute, a Fellow at the Army’s Judge Advocate General’s Legal Center and School, and a Scholar-in-Residence at the Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs.

Amanda Milius, Director. Founder of 1AMDC Productions. Formerly Deputy Assistant Secretary of State in the Bureau of Global Public Affairs and Project Manager for the White House Office of American Innovation.

Roger Simon, Director. Novelist, journalist, and Academy Award-nominated screenwriter. Founder of PJ Media. Previously served as president of the West Coast branch of PEN, a nonprofit organization that works to defend and celebrate free expression in the United States and worldwide through the advancement of literature and human rights. He was also a member of the Board of Directors of the Writers Guild of America, and was on the faculty of the American Film Institute and the Sundance Institute.

Christian Whiton, Director. Senior Fellow at the Center for the National Interest. Previously served at the State Department as a Speechwriter, Senior Advisor for Strategic Communications, and Deputy Special Envoy for North Korean Human Rights Issues. He is the author of “Smart Power: Between Diplomacy and War.”

(Source: USAGM press release)

Learning in lockdown: DW offers digital learning packages

9 January 2021

Learning in lockdown: DW offers digital learning packages

Students are at home due to Corona, with some facing a lack of digital teaching materials on environmental topics. DW’s Global Ideas project offers seven learning packages for students and teachers.

These support children and young people between 12 and 16 years of age as well as teachers. Multimedia-based, playful and interesting, the materials can be used free of charge for non-commercial educational purposes.

“We deliver exciting and modern educational content that inspires, is multimedia and interactive,” says DW Editor-in-Chief Manuela Kasper-Claridge. “For this project, we draw on image-rich video footage and reports from our correspondents, as well as graphics and in-depth texts and photos.”

DW’s Global Ideas project is funded by the International Climate Initiative (IKI) of the German Federal Ministry for the Environment. Games, films, articles and interactive worksheets provide comprehensive information and solutions on the respective topic. Children and young people can relate to their living environment and are given ideas for experiments and building instructions. For teachers, there are instructions for teaching units.

There is great international interest in the teaching and lesson materials, which are available in German, English and Spanish. They are used worldwide in classrooms and also as part of project days at schools or in environmental groups or associations.

The first learning package on “Plastic waste and the consequences for the environment” was published in 2017. “A few years ago, the problem was not as present in the media as it is today,” says Kasper-Claridge. “Now there are seven learning packages that can support digital school lessons even in the pandemic.”

(Source: DW press release)