The Chinese government, who normally has rigid political censorship for their local press and Chinese websites, freely allowed reporters to lash out in sharp critique of foreign press and the bias that is shown for Tibetans. Violent images of riots and looting allegedly incited by Tibetans against Han Chinese in Tibets capital, Lhasa, have also been encouraged and posted by Chinese bloggers.
Meanwhile, China has cut off any access to information from foreign press and networks who mention any of the riots in Tibet or the Dalai Lama; these include CNN, BBC, YouTube, and just recently added to the list is the New Yord Times.
The Chinese government has barred any foreign press to go to Tibet or any surrounding provinces. Reporters that did manage to get in were quickly kicked out. All of this was done AFTER their government pledged that foreign press would be given greater access and press freedoms in the country during the months leading up to the Olympics.
This effort, on behalf of the Chinese government, is the clearest sign yet that it's concerned the Tibet unrest and antigovernment protests of Darfur could disrupt this year's summer Olympics that will be held in Beijing, China.
China continues to condradict itself. Their government is blocking foreign media for fear of biased reporting, yet has no problems with allowing their people to create biased blogs and journalism. Extremely hypocritical if you ask me.
There is greatness in growing up in a democratic society. Freedom of speech and thought are values journalist adhere to (here in the U.S.) in order not to be biased. This creed of honest and fair reporting helps the public to see both sides with a more clearly stated purpose. It breaks situations down for people into digestible pieces, helping them to make more informed decisions (even in opinion.)
If the Chinese don't get their act together, I believe that their decision will indeed have an effect on the atmosphere of the Olympic Games. Foreign journalist like freedom of press and the Chinese government begrudging this and aborting their pledge will not fair their image well.
Besides, aren't the Olympics a symbol of peace between nations? Don't nations bid for this years in advance? I would think, even if just as a ruse, the government might have tried to temporarily stifle and appease until after the Games were over.
That's what a great nation like the United States would probably do. Goodness, but I do love this country.
1 comment:
China, China, China. What are we going to do with this country?? It is as if they are digging themselves into a bigger hole as the years continue. It does not surprise me at all that they are behaving childish in a sense of hypocrisy. but what can we do about it?? Nothing really. I know the journalist must be having a fit. What is going on just screams like a good headliner and they cannot even cover it! Hopefully by the time the Olympics roll around they will loosen their grip a little, which I doubt.
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