A year before the start of the 2008 Summer Games, a new survey of foreign correspondents in China shows that many feel the government has not yet met its Olympic pledge to give them complete freedom to report. Harassment of foreign reporters is common, despite improvements in some areas.
Forty percent of 163 respondents in a survey by the Foreign Correspondents Club of China (FCCC) say that since Jan.1, 2007, they’ve experienced some form of interference. They reported more than 157 incidents, including intimidation of sources, detentions, surveillance, official reprimands, and even violence against foreign correspondents, their staff and sources.
However, many correspondents, 43 percent, say that the reporting environment improved following China's decision to temporarily lift travel restrictions during the Olympics period from January 2007 to October 2008. The old regulations required foreign correspondents to seek local government permission every time they traveled away from their home base to report.
“We welcome the progress that has been made,” said FCCC President Melinda Liu. “However we urge the Chinese government to accelerate efforts to eliminate all media restrictions, and to ensure appropriate implementation of policies. We’re especially concerned
By many reports of intimidation of sources. A nation where citizens who speak to foreign correspondents face threats, reprisals and even bodily harm does not live up to the world's expectations of an Olympic host.”
