China's reversal of its pledge to offer complete media freedom during the games is only the latest repudiation of its commitment to Olympic ideals and human rights (it was revealed last week that the government would not allow live TV shots of various landmarks-- including Tiananmen Square).
Sun Weide, spokesman for the Chinese organizing committee, confirmed that the government would be censoring the internet used by foreign media during the games. "During the Olympic Games we will provide sufficient access to the Internet for reporters," he stated. He confirmed, however, that journalists would not be able to access information or websites connected to the Falungong spiritual movement which is banned in China. Other sites will also be unavailable to journalists, he said, but didn't specify which ones.
No one should have believed that China would live up to Olympic ideals or any of the other promises it made when it was awarded the games seven years ago. NBC/General Electric should be ashamed to be broadcasting the Beijing Olympics and providing such ready-made propaganda for the hypocritical and oppressive Chinese dictatorship.
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