INTERNATIONAL peace group No Cold War has condemned Ofcom’s decision to revoke China Global Television Network (CGTN’s) broadcasting licence.

Ofcom announced that it would remove the licence on Thursday, saying that CGTN is “ultimately” controlled by China’s ruling Communist Party.

It had launched an investigation into the network last year, saying that CGTN’s coverage of protests and riots in Hong Kong in 2019 lacked impartiality.

But No Cold War’s organising committee said: “Ofcom states that holders of a broadcasting licence in Britain must not be controlled by political bodies. However ... the BBC, which routinely broadcasts criticism of China, is clearly controlled by a political body – the British state.  

“Indeed, so tightly is the BBC controlled by the British state that since its earliest days its staff were directly vetted by MI5.”

The group, which was set up to oppose the escalating cold war between the US and its allies and China, pointed out that “it is well known and publicly acknowledged that CGTN is a Chinese state broadcaster and viewers can take this into account. As a state broadcaster CGTN’s status is similar to that of the BBC, France Televisions and others.

“Ofcom’s action is not merely a clear violation of free speech, but it is directly dangerous. The world faces the threat of a new cold war. At such a moment it is crucial to build understanding and to accurately understand the positions of the chief actors in the global situation.”

CGTN said it was disappointed by the ruling, pointing to its 18-year record of broadcasting in Britain without violating any laws. 

China’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin condemned Britain’s “ideological” decision and said Beijing was looking at appropriate retaliation.