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Dubai: Following the controversy surrounding the Olympic torch relay, the organisers of the Beijing Games are faced with another rapidly brewing storm. Differences among at least nine television broadcasters, each of which has paid for the rights to broadcast the Olympics globally, and the organisers could ensure that the telecast of the Games is hit hard.
The Olympics are set to begin in the historic city of Beijing on August 8.
The differences vary: from televising their reports from Tiananmen Square, a site from which all sorts of "potentially loaded" messages could be beamed, to allegations that freight shipments of broadcasting equipment are still held up in Chinese ports awaiting clearance from the authorities.
The current standoff with the TV companies - most notable among them being NBC - has left their plans months behind schedule, thanks mainly to the lack of commitment by the organisers.
This would mean that if cleared at the last minute the broadcasters would be forced to compromise on their original plans.
Visa rules 'tightened'
It is also believed that the Chinese government has started tightening up visa regulations with an aim to deter potential activists and students.
Many TV executives from high profile companies are worried that there may not be telecasts from Tiananmen Square and this is a change from two months ago when International Olympic Committee officials in Beijing stated that China had agreed to telecasts.
Additionally, telecasts from the Forbidden City could also be affected. Scott Moore, executive director of Canada's CBC Sports, told the Associated Press: "For us to potentially not be able to do live reports from Tiananmen, the most iconic place in China, is a disgrace. I've been told that to do business in China, you have to have patience. We don't have time to have patience. The Games have begun for us already."
Relaxing the rules and allowing Olympic broadcasters to avoid government censorship was one of the concessions China had made to bid successfully for the Games in 2001.
Is China well within its rights to impose restrictions on broadcasting? Do you think such restrictions overshadow the spirit of the game? How, do you think, this will influence the broadcasting industry?Tell us at letter2editor@gulfnews.com or fill in the form bellow to send your comments.
Your comments
It is only the westen people who get used to two different standards. For safety reasons, almost all the countries carry out special rules during important events, as in USA. For the visa policy, it is still easier than applying for visas to USA. All those who are friendly with Chinese are most welcome.
Xue
Beijing,China
Posted: June 10, 2008, 13:57
Games? What games? China didn't and does not deserve to host these games. Where next? Zimbabwe?
Markus
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: June 10, 2008, 06:11
Yes, any sovereign country is within its rights to impose restrictions in broadcasting. In every country there are places that are off limit to camera (if even NBC can impose a no-camera rule on visitors of their backlot and studios, how can they expect an independent country to bow down to their demand of unfettered access?).
The spirit of the game is not affected by not having "live" coverage of any particular place, especially where no sports activity takes place. Why the urgent need for live coverage when everything else is already tape delayed? Is there an ulterior plan which we have seen so many times in the past? (where news organization actually coordinates the news production?) Who's trying to play games with the spirit of the game? The broadcasting industry should respect the local law in which it operates. There is no such thing as extra-territoriality rights. This is the 21st century, not the 18th century.
Sam
New York,USA
Posted: June 10, 2008, 01:40
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