World Service blocked in China, BBC says

English broadcasts from the BBC World Service are being jammed in China, the BBC has claimed, suggesting the Chinese authorities are to blame.

It comes after the BBC World Service TV Channel was blocked last year after broadcasting stories regarded as sensitive.

U.S. state-funded radio stations VOA and Radio Free Asia have also made similar complaints.

In a statement, the broadcaster said: “The BBC has received reports that World Service English shortwave frequencies are being jammed in China. Though it is not possible at this stage to attribute the source of the jamming definitively, the extensive and coordinated efforts are indicative of a well-resourced country such as China.

“The BBC strongly condemns this action which is designed to disrupt audiences’ free access to news and information.”

Peter Horrocks, director of BBC Global News adds: “The jamming of shortwave transmissions is being timed to cause maximum disruption to BBC World Service English broadcasts in China,” said Peter Horrocks, director of BBC Global News.

“The deliberate and coordinated efforts by authorities in countries such as China and Iran illustrate the significance and importance of the role the BBC undertakes to provide impartial and accurate information to audiences around the world.”

Source: Reuters