Foreign journalists covering the 2008 Beijing Olympics will be able to travel
freely throughout China and have unrestricted access to the
Internet, the event organizers guaranteed yesterday.
"We've no restrictions on travel for foreign journalists in
China," Sun Weijia, head of media operations for the Beijing
Organizing Committee for the Games of the XXIX Olympiad (BOCOG),
told the Olympic World Press Briefing. "They can travel anywhere in
China."
Liu Qi, president of BOCOG, said detailed, new
regulations on the operation of foreign media would be in place
early next year. "The new rules will consider the norms of the past
Games and the needs of the media," Liu explained. "The Chinese
government will honor our promises and commitments made during our
bid to host the Games."
Media services head Li Jingbo said Internet access provided to
news services during the Games would be unrestricted.
Organizers also explained that the foreign media would have
access to the Chinese team, although journalists would require to
apply three weeks in advance to secure interviews.
Measures taken to ensure a sound working environment for foreign
journalists are contained in a regulation that exempts those with
Olympic identification and accreditation cards from having to hold
visas. Instead their Olympic identity cards will allow them to make
multiple entries to China during the Games.
Journalists will be able to secure temporary entry permission
for overseas vehicles and provision will be made for them to apply
for temporary driving permits. They will also be able to rent
apartments and offices through local real-estate agencies.
The Press Commission of the Chinese Olympic Committee will
assist foreign journalists arrange interviews with Chinese
athletes. Foreign media organizations will be able to install their
own radio systems during the Games and can bring their equipment
into the country tax-free.
They'll also be able to apply for permission to film cultural
relics through the BOCOG which will acquire permission from the
State Administration of Cultural Heritage on their behalf.
And the BOCOG will help organizations wishing to film Olympic
events from the air get permission from the relevant
authorities.
Another new policy will regulate the foreign media's employment
of Chinese citizens during the Games.
(China Daily September 28, 2006)