Olympic Broadcasters Get Tiananmen Rights
Friday, 20th June 2008 ~ Maggie ~ Link ~ Comments (3)
TV networks with Olympic broadcasting rights seem to have re-secured the right to broadcast live from Tiananmen Square. According to Canada's CBC News, broadcasters held two days of negotiations with BOCOG officials late last month. NBC is declining comment on the story.
Aside from this news, it's been a somewhat rocky period of late for BOCOG's international media relations. Here are some of the things that are frustrating the foreign press here to cover Olympic preparations:
Foreign broadcasters say they are facing more red tape than at previous games, making it difficult for them to get their equipment into the country and begin logistical set-up.
Non-Chinese journalists are saying they were only allowed limited viewing of the actual torch relay in Xinjiang this week. BBC correspondent James Reynolds' blog includes some observations on the relay in Urumqi (Xinjiang's capital), as well as some background on the historical issues in the region. A few foreign journalists have been invited to watch the relay in Lhasa Saturday.
More Beijing-based journalists are complaining about the lack of access they have had to Chinese athletes. Instead of meeting athletes, they are touring venues and watching "mei nu" practice presenting medals.
Tags: BOCOG, foreign media, torch relay