Communist Summer Games

Tell me again why civilized democratic nations are participating in the Beijing Summer Olympics? 

“WE WILL give the media complete freedom to report when they come to China.” So promised one of the most senior Chinese Olympic officials, Wang Wei, in 2001 on the eve of the International Olympic Committee awarding Beijing the 2008 Games.

Seven years on, and the issue that has always been a concern to international journalists: the extent to which the Communist Party would allow the world to freely opine – has become a fissure of dissent between the IOC and Chinese authorities.

[...] 

It’s not looking good. Many media can’t even get into the country. Visas are being so restricted, many television and radio networks are rejigging plans. Channels Nine and Ten have spent more than a year satisfying the paperwork for 30 or so technical and support staff. They are due to leave next week, but still do not have the necessary invitations from the Chinese government for the visas to be issued. Reporters Without Borders has received similar complaints from European journalists.

[...]  Most importantly, the reliability of transmission, particularly during any sensitive riots, protests or other such sensitive activities is a concern. The Chinese state television “live” feed, for instance, will have a 10-second delay, so any uncomfortable moments such as an athlete demonstrating, will be able to be edited out.

[...]…the Chinese view is the Games must be protected at all costs, and that might mean upsetting some political foes and tightly controlling who is in the city for the Games.

This is all so, so wrong.

via Hot Air