Mainland China’s state-backed English-language news channel, China Global Television Network (CGTN), says it is “disappointed” with U.K. regulator Ofcom’s ruling on issues of bias.

The response follows Ofcom findings that CGTN repeatedly breached Britain’s broadcasting standards with its coverage of Hong Kong’s pro-democracy protests. 

Sanctions could include a fine, which Ofcom is entitled to impose because CGTN holds a U.K. broadcasting licence through Star China Media Limited. The Chinese broadcaster may also have its licence revoked. 

CGTN has reafirmed its commitment to “providing accurate, timely and objective news and information with diverse and balanced views for our global audience”. 

“As a Chinese media network that has been broadcasting in the U.K. for over 17 years, we have responsibility to present Chinese viewpoints and perspectives in our news reporting, which is what our viewers expect,” the network said in a statement on 29 May.

Three days earlier, on 26 May, Ofcom called out a “serious failure of compliance” in the late 2019 coverage, which failed to present all sides of the situation in Hong Kong and actively promoted a pro-Beijing viewpoint. 

CGTN defended its position by saying, among other things, that anti-Beijing activists were reluctant to speak to them on camera. 

Ofcom’s investigation focused on news magazine show The World Today and China24 between August and November last year. 

CGTN said it had “noticed that some media are not objective in reporting violent protests in the HKSAR. CGTN has provided more voices to the global audience and made it possible for them to understand the whole picture”.

“CGTN has attached importance to complying with the local regulations ... and looks forward to continuing to cooperate in a just, fair and transparent way with Ofcom,” the network said.