Popular Vietnam cable TV provider drops CNN, BBC over decree requiring Vietnamese translation

HANOI, Vietnam – A popular Vietnamese cable television provider has stopped providing CNN and BBC, saying the channels don't have the licenses needed under a law stipulating that much content on foreign channels must be translated into Vietnamese.

Foreign governments and a leading pay TV trade group have urged the Vietnamese government to modify the decree, saying it is tantamount to allowing it the right to censor.

Last week a small provider cut 21 foreign channels. On Sunday, one of the largest providers, VTV CAB, also cut CNN and BBC.

The BBC said last week it was trying to resolve the issue with the government.

Leading regional pay TV trade group CASBAA said the current situation was "unclear" although the government had told the body it didn't want to exclude foreign news.