Beijing Olympics 2008: Winning Press Freedom - World Press ...

Beijing Olympics 2008: Winning Press Freedom
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I will make the following points in my presentation:
• In China, media is tightly controlled by the authorities, and there are strict
guidelines as to what and what should not be reported; this is to insure that the
masses toe the party line on major issues, have confidence in the government and
are not influenced by foreign media.
• As far as foreign media is concerned, the authorities want to keep as strict control
as possible, and employ many tactics to do so, including jamming and blocking
output, denying visas to journalists, interference and harassment, and intimidating
people who dare talk to Western media.
• Yet, China is also increasingly concerned about how it is portrayed by foreign
media, and has been trying to project a more positive image in the world; foreign
media can also be used in this effort.
• In our dealing with the Chinese authorities, our status as a foreign media
organization that broadcasts and publishes directly in the Chinese language can
work against us or to our advantage, all depending on the wider political climate,
and what China wants to achieve in its cooperation with us.
• In this Olympic year, the government’s preoccupation is to have successful Games
and highlight China’s achievement; some short-term concessions might be given,
but we are yet to see if they represent real changes to press freedom.
Control of domestic media
Since embarking on opening up and reforms three decades ago, China has not only
achieved breathtaking economic successes and improved the living standard of hundred of
millions of people, but it has also loosened up control in many aspects of people’s lives, so
they are much freer to move around, to seek employment of their choosing, and to live a
lifestyle without state interference.
People are much freer to express their opinions, such as on corruption, legal reforms,
environment, social problems etc., but crucially, the authorities still control what can and
what cannot be reported on many issues, and anything perceived to question the
legitimacy of the government or the political system is not tolerated.
For instance, there are many taboo areas about which open public debate is not possible,
such as the 1989 Tiananmen student movement, the legacies of some former leaders, and
political campaigns. On other issues, such as Taiwan and Tibet, foreign policy, and Falun
Gong, the authorities don’t want the masses to stray from the party line, and those who
do so face severe consequences. A popular and liberal magazine, Freezing Point, was
suspended and its editor removed from the post simply because it carried some articles
considered to have crossed the line. Some dissidents have been sentenced to prison terms
for speaking out on political issues.
Control of foreign media
In this context, it is not hard to understand why the authorities want to exercise strict
control over foreign media; it is simply an extension of the control over the domestic
media, as they don’t want the people to know how these issues are debated inside and
outside China.