Why is China trying to censor foreign media during the Olympic games?

by Wylwyn Reyes

Chinese police have been arresting and deporting pro-Tibet protesters like they were selling hotcakes. Well it looks like they have now moved on to reporters.
I thought China was offering free and unrestricted reporting during the games just as any foreign reporter would do in a democratic country. Well, just as suspected a free lunch never tastes as good as it looks.

John Ray, an accredited reporter for Independent Television News (ITN) was arrested near the "Bird's Nest" Olympic stadium and dragged to a nearby restaurant, where Chinese police threw his shoes in the corner and sat on his arms. This happened shortly after nearby foreign protesters unfurled a pro-Tibet banner. The reporter who had suffered mild abrasions and some bruising later said: "I wonder how this fits in with their solemn promise of free and unrestricted reporting... it was a wrestling match".

The pro-Tibet group Students for a Free Tibet, said two of its protesters who unfurled Free- Tibet banners were arrested while six other members were also detained for protesting nearby. They included six Americans, an Israeli-American and a Japanese National.

Beijing Olympic organizers said they were introducing three "protest parks" near the stadium where anyone could express their beliefs unless it would harm "national unity" and "national, social or collective interests of China".

Well, Ji Sizun, 58, a legal advocate from the coastal province of Fujian who came to Beijing to demonstrate against corruption was arrested after he applied for a permit in one of these designated "protest parks"to hold a protest that would call for greater participation of Chinese citizens in political processes.

So it would seem any speak of Tibet, Xinjiang, or even insinuating corruption in the Chinese government would result in a breif to 24 hour detainment followed by your foreign privileges getting revoked with an intensive interrogation and finally topped off with a sprinkle of deportation. Not to mention a little slam dancing with your new friends the Chinese police.

Imagine what happens to Chinese Nationals if they attempt to protest. Does anyone remember the Tiananmen Square protests of 1989?




More articles on protests during the games in China.

Tibet protesters deported from China
Protester hurt during pro-Tibet demonstration

For more on "Students for a Free Tibet" click here.
For more on John Ray click here.



photo from Tibet Will Be Free // A global blog by Students for a Free Tibet