Yahoo TV

British television channel BBC World News was barred from airing in China on Friday.

This came just one week after Britain’s media regulator revoked Chinese state television CGTN's license to broadcast in the United Kingdom.

China’s National Radio and Television Administration said an investigation found BBC World News’ China coverage had harmed the country’s national interests and undermined unity.

The agency added that the channel “seriously violated” regulations and its application to air for another year would not be accepted.

The English-language news channel is not prolific in China and only appears in some hotels and residences, but two Reuters journalists in China confirmed the channel had gone blank on their screens.

The BBC said it was “disappointed” and defended its news reporting as impartial, fair and “without fear of favor.”

British Foreign Minister Dominic Raab condemned China’s move, calling it an “unacceptable curtailing of media freedom.”

He added, “This latest step will only damage China’s reputation in the eyes of the world.”

At a regular news briefing, U.S. State Department spokesman Ned Price commented, "It's troubling that as (China) restricts outlets and platforms from operating freely in China, Beijing's leaders use free and open media environments overseas to promote misinformation."

Last week, Britain revoked CGTN’s license to broadcast in the U.K. after finding it was wrongfully held by Star China Media.

China criticized the ruling as politically motivated and said they reserved the right to make a “necessary response.”