CGTN

Chinese state media

Background

CGTN traces its roots to CCTV International, an English-language channel launched by China Central Television (CCTV) in 2000, later renamed CCTV News in 2010. On January 1, 2017, six of CCTV's international language channels were rebranded under the CGTN name. In 2018, CGTN was absorbed into the newly created China Media Group, a CCP-controlled holding company that unified state broadcasting assets. In 2018, the U.S. Department of Justice ordered CGTN America to register as a foreign agent under the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA); it complied in February 2019, after which several senior U.S.-based staff were recalled to Beijing. In February 2021, Britain's media regulator Ofcom revoked CGTN's UK broadcast license after determining that the nominal license-holder lacked genuine editorial control, and that the actual controller — the CCP — is legally barred from holding a UK broadcast license. Ofcom separately fined CGTN £225,000 in 2021 for biased coverage of the 2019–20 Hong Kong pro-democracy protests, finding repeated breaches of impartiality requirements. Researchers and press-freedom groups, including Reporters Without Borders, have characterized CGTN as a vehicle for promoting Chinese government positions internationally, describing its approach as 'surface neutrality' on domestic U.S. politics while pushing a strongly pro-Beijing line on issues touching China's interests.

Sources

1. China Global Television Network – Wikipedia
2. CGTN (TV channel) – Wikipedia
3. China Global Television Network – Media Bias/Fact Check
4. Ofcom revokes CGTN's licence to broadcast in the UK
5. UK broadcast regulator Ofcom revokes licence of China's CGTN – Al Jazeera
6. Chinese State-Run Media Company Registers Under FARA – Wiley Law
7. CGTN poll: Global dissatisfaction with Trump administration's first year hits 84%
8. CGTN Poll: Over 90% respondents say Trump's tariff policy a failure
9. A 65-language megaphone: how CGTN is shaping global narratives – RSF
10. Ownership and control of Chinese media – Safeguard Defenders

Profile compiled 2026-06-30; refreshed when ownership, funding, or the administration changes.

← Back to track record