China orders blackout of BBC show

China has ordered a news blackout on a first ever mainland broadcast by the BBC’s flagship political debate programme Question Time, so...

China has ordered a news blackout on a first ever mainland broadcast by the BBC’s flagship political debate programme Question Time, sources said on Wednesday.

The show will be broadcast from Shanghai in English tomorrow with guests both critical and supportive of China’s ruling Communist Party. David Dimbleby, who last month called the broadcast ‘‘a breakthrough’’, will host. Former Hong Kong Governor and EU External Affairs chief Chris Patten and Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesman Liu Jianchao are scheduled to take part.

However the programme, which was expected to cover important political issues affecting China and its relations with the rest of the world, will receive no coverage in China.

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‘‘We received an official notice half-a-month ago that we are not allowed to report on this,’’ a Chinese journalist who requested anonymity, said.

Another Chinese journalist planning on participating in the programme cancelled her registration after being advised not to take part. ‘‘Our boss said it is too sensitive,’’ said the Shanghai Daily Reporter.

At a press conference today, BBC producers insisted the programme would spare no punches. ‘‘The programme is on our terms,’’ insisted Nick Pisani, the programme editor. —PTI

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