[LINK] SMH: 'Reporters vent fury at great firewall of China'

[Roger Clarke]

Reporters vent fury at great firewall of China
Date: July 28 2008
The Sydney Morning Herald
Jacquelin Magnay in Beijing
http://www.smh.com.au/text/articles/2008/07/27/1217097058479.html

BEIJING Olympic Games organisers bore the brunt of international 
media frustration yesterday as key global internet sites were shut 
down and the speed of the internet connections reduced to levels not 
seen for a decade.

In a double-barrelled attack, the BOCOG officials were also quizzed 
about the ongoing thick pollution that has enveloped Beijing. Games 
organisers had based their entire Games strategy on Green Olympics, 
Hi-tech Olympics and Peoples' Olympics, but two out of three elements 
were failing, the reporters claimed.

Journalists from international publications protested about internet 
speeds "10 times slower than at the Sydney Olympic Games eight years 
ago" and the apparent censorship of websites, especially those from 
other news organisations.

Organisers had repeatedly claimed that internet would not be censored 
during the Games but at the press conference a Wall Street Journal 
journalist produced his laptop and showed that sites such as the BBC 
in China and Hong Kong's Apple Daily were being restricted. BOCOG 
media director Sun Weijia initially said the problem lay with the 
journalist, and claimed all websites and pages were available.

"There is no problem or issues," he said. But when confronted by a 
large gathering of Western media all making the same complaint, he 
said: "I will look into it and get back to you."

Sun had earlier elaborated on the freedoms of the media for the Games.

"Beijing is open to all the media. According to the laws and 
regulations of the Chinese government, registered foreign media can 
conduct interviews with any individuals and institutions as long as 
they have permission from them. There is no restriction. This policy 
will not be changed."


-- 
Roger Clarke                  http://www.anu.edu.au/people/Roger.Clarke/
			            
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Visiting Professor in Info Science & Eng  Australian National University
Visiting Professor in the eCommerce Program      University of Hong Kong
Visiting Professor in the Cyberspace Law & Policy Centre      Uni of NSW