Beijing limits journalists’ web access
31 July 2008
Despite earlier promises that foreign journalists covering the Olympic Games would have unrestricted internet access, China is blocking sites it considers sensitive, the Financial Times reports. China blocks its own citizens from viewing sites it deems politically sensitive. But earlier this month Jacques Rogge, head of The International Olympic Committee, said China had promised free access to journalists at the games. However, on Wednesday the Beijing Games organizing committee (BOCOG) said it had never promised full freedom. "During Games-time we will provide sufficient and convenient internet access," said BOCOG spokesman Sun Weide. He said access was already sufficient, even though journalists have complained about blocks on websites of Amnesty International and Falun Gong. Kevan Gosper, chairman of the IOC's press commission, suggested that some IOC officials negotiated with the Chinese without his knowledge to allow some sensitive sites to be blocked on the basis they were not considered Olympics-related.