International NGO "Chinese State Media Deliberately Spreading False Information Should Be Sanctioned"

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Cho Hyun-ui] An international non-governmental organization (NGO) has requested the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to sanction the Chinese state-run broadcaster CCTV.

An FCC spokesperson said on the 22nd (local time) that "we have received a petition from Safeguard Defenders alleging that CCTV is spreading false information and have begun reviewing it," according to the Wall Street Journal.

Safeguard Defenders, headquartered in Spain, led the effort earlier this year for the UK government to revoke the broadcasting license of CGTN, a subsidiary of CCTV.

Safeguard Defenders claimed that CCTV knowingly broadcast false information dozens of times through news and other programs over seven years since 2013. The false information also included expressions of regret or guilt.

The FCC stated, "CCTV broadcast misleading information worldwide, including in the United States, for propaganda purposes." For example, a Chinese-American claimed that Chinese authorities forced him to confess to crimes he did not commit on CCTV broadcasts, which were then aired globally. He served two years in China on charges of illegally collecting personal information along with his British husband.

It is reported that Safeguard Defenders first submitted the petition to the FCC around the end of 2019. The organization said, "False information deliberately spread by the Chinese government is increasing day by day," adding, "especially much of it is hostile to the United States."

Some Western governments, including the United States, have already begun efforts to reduce the influence of Chinese state-run media.

The Wall Street Journal reported, "The Donald Trump administration designated CCTV as a foreign government-related entity last year and notified it to reduce the number of employees in the U.S." It added, "Twitter has also shown similar moves," noting that "CCTV accounts currently carry a label stating 'Chinese state media.'"

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.