- China has been criticized for its media approach ahead of the Winter Olympics.
- A group of international journalists said the country had “continuously thwarted” reporters trying to cover the games.
- He provided examples such as journalists being reprimanded for reporting on human rights issues and blocking access.
China has been criticized by a group of international journalists for its “lack of transparency” after denying foreign media access to coverage of the 2022 Winter Games.
The games will start in February in Beijing, but the country has been accused of thwarting attempts by foreign media to cover both the preparations and the tournament itself.
In a statement released on TuesdayThe Foreign Correspondents’ Club of China (FCCC), which acts on behalf of foreign media in the country, has raised concerns about a “lack of transparency” regarding China’s treatment of media ahead of the games.
“Over the past year, the foreign press has been continuously hampered in its coverage of the preparations for the Winter Olympics, denied participation in routine events and prevented from visiting sports venues in China,” he said.
—Foreign Correspondents Club of China (@fccchina) November 2, 2021
“Repeated inquiries from our members to the Beijing Olympics Organizing Committee (BOCOG) on how international media can report on the Games have received conflicting responses or been completely overlooked.”
The club also said China’s behavior violated the International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) Olympic Charter.
“With less than three months before the start of Beijing 2022, there is still huge uncertainty about how and if foreign correspondents will be able to cover the Games.”
“We call on BOCOG and the IOC to improve international reporting conditions before and during the Games.”
China last hosted the Summer Olympics in 2008.
Wu Diansen/VCG via Getty Images
Along with the statement, the FCCC listed its members’ experiences on their attempts to cover the games.
One example involved a journalist for an international broadcaster who said he was shouted at and threatened after airing a story that some athletes were considering boycotting the games because of China’s human rights record.
Another, an American journalist, was approached by police and security guards after taking pictures of some Olympic venues, while a third was only allowed to film an empty ice rink after asking for permission. access to the Olympic ski fields.
Workers clear snow at Genting Snow Park, the venue for freestyle skiing and snowboarding matches at the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics.
Wu Diansen/VCG via Getty Images
The FCCC called on BOCOG and the IOC to improve access to international media.
“Resolving these issues is of utmost importance before thousands of international print and broadcast journalists prepare to enter China to cover the upcoming Olympics in February,” he said.
