CNN Segment Apparently Blocked in China

By The Associated Press | The New York Times
March 10, 2007

HONG KONG (AP) -- China on Saturday apparently blacked out parts of a CNN interview with Hong Kong's leader when he began discussing moves toward democratic reform in the territory.

During CNN's ''Talk Asia'' program, Donald Tsang was talking about his plans to consult the Hong Kong public on how to bring universal suffrage to the territory, which is ruled by China but has a wide degree of autonomy. He said he was eager to address the democracy issue if he wins a second term as chief executive of Hong Kong later this month.

The show then abruptly went to commercials, after which the screen blacked out momentarily. When the show resumed, Tsang was speaking about his relationship with Beijing state leaders.

A CNN spokeswoman in Hong Kong said she was not aware that parts of Tsang's interview were blocked but the station was looking into it. The spokeswoman did not give her name, per company policy.

The show will be broadcast again as scheduled over the weekend, she added.

China restricts foreign television channels such as CNN and the British Broadcasting Corp.'s BBC World to hotels and apartment buildings where foreigners live. Officials monitor the signals and routinely black out broadcasts on sensitive topics.

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