Olympics: Journalists labeled ‘troublemakers’
Many Hong Kong papers ran a story about the ill-advised remarks of Regina Ip, the former secretary of security for Hong Kong, and a candidate in September’s elections for a seat in the Hong Kong Legislative Council (Legco). Ip said the “neck-shoving” techniques used by Beijing police to roust Hong Kong reporters covering the July…
Olympics: The Games Aren’t Political?
Last week’s dispute over Internet access for foreign reporters is still reverberating, only partially resolved. More Web sites have become available to reporters inside the Olympic Games’ Main Press Center and around the country, although plenty remain blocked (those perceived as being backed by the Falun Gong and those supporting Tibetan independence most notably). Amnesty…
Olympics-China Media Watch: News on the news
The media is in the news. The official Xinhua News Agency chimes in on the fracas over Web access for foreign journalists in the Olympic press center. In a commentary headlined “Do not let ‘press freedom’ supersede Chinese law” Xinhua defends the government’s policy of blocking sensitive Web sites, repeating the justification Games spokesman Sun…
Some Internet limits remain at GamesCPJ urges Olympic officials to continue open-access efforts
Some Internet limits remain at Games CPJ urges Olympic officials to continue open-access efforts New York, August 1, 2008—Internet censorship at the Olympic press center eased today, but officials with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) acknowledged that the full access once promised was not being delivered. Foreign journalists reported they could see some formerly inaccessible…
Olympics: IOC says Internet access ‘on the table’
Facing massive outcry over Internet restrictions at the Olympic press center, the International Olympic Committee says it met today with Beijing organizers and that “the issues were put on the table.” In a statement issued this afternoon, the IOC says it has not made any deal that allows Internet restrictions to be imposed at the Main…
Olympics-Chinese Media Watch: Fading memories of a recent disaster
With the Olympics preparations crowding the headlines, news related to the deadly May earthquake in Sichuan province has faded. There is still plenty to report, including the recovery effort and the bitter resentment of grieving parents who believe that faulty construction played a role in their children’s deaths. But a search of recent Chinese news on the quake…
IOC meetings on Internet access must be followed through with action
New York, July 31, 2008–The Committee to Protect Journalists is encouraged by the International Olympic Committee’s statement today that it has met with organizers of the Beijing Games about Internet censorship at the Main Press Center and that “the issues are on the table.” But CPJ urged the IOC to continue to pursue all avenues…
Olympics-Chinese Media Watch: Checkpoints at Tiananmen and online
Chinese President Hu Jintao yesterday stressed the importance of a secure Olympics, calling the responsibility as heavy as Mount Tai. But while Chinese media today reported on the new checkpoints guarding access to Tiananmen Square, no mention was made of a security measure on the minds of many visiting journalists. Olympic officials today admitted that…
China, IOC backtrack on Olympic Internet access
New York, July 30, 2008–The Committee to Protect Journalists is deeply disappointed by the International Olympic Committee’s admission that China would not provide open Internet access at the Main Press Center in Beijing despite earlier assurances to the contrary. Kevan Gosper, chairman of the IOC’s press commission, said today that the organization had entered into…