CGTN set to return to European screens, but French regulator warns about future conduct
- The Chinese broadcaster receives approval to transmit its English-language programming out of France
- Network is subject to legislation that ‘guarantees respect for human dignity as well as honesty, independence and pluralism of information’
Having been removed from British airwaves because of its Communist Party ownership and a row over licensing, Chinese broadcaster CGTN has been approved to transmit its English-language programming out of France.
But French regulators issued what industry watchers described as an “unusually stern” statement regarding the rules under which CGTN will be governed.
“In accordance with its missions, the CSA will be particularly attentive to ensuring that CGTN ensures compliance with these legal requirements,” the statement by the Superior Audiovisual Council said.
“Just because they have relocated and are able to get themselves back on [European satellite operator] Eutelsat does not necessarily mean that they aren’t subject to intense scrutiny by the French regulator,” said Rupert Earle, a partner specialising in media law at the London firm of Bates Wells.
02:24
China attacks BBC a day after UK revokes licence of Chinese state broadcaster CGTN
The regulator issued an automatic ruling that, with Britain having left the European Union, CGTN’s application to be governed under French law was technically legitimate.