China promises censor-free Olympic media

Unmolested net and TV for foreign agencies

By Lester Haines • Get more from this author

Posted in Government, 3rd April 2008 16:24 GMT

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The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has confirmed that international media will have "access to uncensored internet" during the 8-24 August sportsfest in Beijing and that TV transmission of the games will not be subject to a delay.

According to Reuters, the IOC's chief inspector said that, despite the Chinese regime's routine censorship of net content and penchant for delaying or censoring TV signals, this would not affect the 30,000-strong foreign media expected to cover the games.

Hein Verbruggen told a press conference concluding the committee's final inspection of the games: "We were satisfied by the assurances we received across a number of areas - media service levels, including internet access ... and the live broadcast feed."

Verbruggen dismissed claims that the Beijing Olympic Broadcasters controlling the TV output had mooted a transmission delay, assuring: "There will be a live feed and it is up to every broadcaster to do with it what they want to do."

Verbruggen concluded: "BOCOG [The Beijing Organizing Committee for the Games of the XXIX Olympiad] is progressing well with all of its operations and we are confident that our Chinese friends will put on a great Games for the athletes of the world.

"The IOC noted an increased level of support from the government authorities for the organizing committee, which will undoubtedly help reinforce BOCOG's excellent work." ®

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