Taiwan Urges China To Respect Press Freedom

Foreign reporters encounter pressure in covering Beijing Olympics

In the run-up to the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, the Chinese government announced a temporary relaxation of foreign reporters' coverage regulations in January.

However, according to a poll conducted on August 1 by the Foreign Correspondents Club of China (FCCC), 95% of the surveyed foreign correspondents felt that China's news coverage environment is still not on par with international standards.

Other data indicates that 40% of the respondents reported encountering a certain amount of interference since January of this year.

Minister Shieh Jhy-wey of the Government Information Office said that news freedom is a "24-7" practice, not a "gimmick" like that sanctioned by the Beijing authorities to only allow foreign reporters, including those from Taiwan, a more leeway between January 1, 2007 and October 17, 2008, corresponding to the games and their preparatory period.

A Europa Press report also indicated that limits are set mostly on the coverage of Tibet and Xinjiang. Once foreign reporters arrive at the local hotels, they are under authorities' control, and are constantly followed as well as being denied interviewing privileges by the police.

In its citation of an FCCC statement, the report charges that when (Chinese) people are afraid of talking to foreign reporters out of the fear of the menace and attacks (of the authorities), it proves that China, as an Olympic Games host, does not live up to the worldwide expectations.

In its statement, the Paris-based Reporters Without Borders stated that although the Beijing Olympic Games boasts a slogan of "One World, One Dream", it is "all bitterness" in the ears of China's minorities.

As such, Minister Shieh called on the international community to take the issue seriously, saying that the world "should work together to urge the Chinese government to respect press freedom and the freedom of speech."

He advised the Chinese government to not only consider the commercial benefits of the games but also honor its pledge of improving press freedom when applying to host the games.

ENDS

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