Muscatelli gives interview to sanctioned Chinese TV network

The outgoing Principal has been interviewed by Chinese state-media during his last few months at the University of Glasgow. 

Principal of the University of Glasgow, Sir Anton Muscatelli, has given an interview to Chinese Global Television Network (CGTN), a television news organisation banned by the UK broadcasting regulatory body Ofcom. 

Ofcom withdrew CGTN’s license to broadcast in the UK in February 2021, after finding that it was “controlled by a body which is ultimately controlled by the Chinese Communist Party”. 

British broadcasting laws make it mandatory for broadcast licensees to have editorial control over the media which they broadcast. The laws also stipulate that the licence holders can not be under the control of political bodies.

Ofcom went on to say: “Following careful consideration, taking account of all the facts and the broadcaster’s and audience’s rights to freedom of expression, we have decided it is appropriate to revoke the licence for CGTN to broadcast in the UK.”

Muscatelli announced the news of his interview via LinkedIn earlier today. The post, which is only viewable by the Principal’s connections reads: “I was pleased to be interviewed by CGTN as International Finance Forum (IFF) Academic Committee co-Chair. 

“We discussed the recent announcements by the US on tariffs, the risks to the world economy, and how other G20 countries might respond.”

Muscatelli currently serves as Academic co-Chair of the International Finance Forum and spoke at their annual conference in November of last year. 

The IFF also posted about Muscatelli’s interview on X, saying: “Sir Anton Muscatelli, Academic Committee Co-Chair and University of Glasgow Principal, joins CGTN’s BizTalk for a deep dive into the Trump admin’s tariff policies—and their ripple effects across the global economy. 

“Full interview airs late March 2025 on CGTN’s BizTalk. Stay tuned!”

Published 27 February 2025