IOC Admits it Let China Censor Web for Journalists Covering Olympic Games

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A senior International Olympic Committee (IOC) member admitted today officials made a deal to allow China to block websites, despite the country's international promises to allow unrestricted access to the Net.

Digital Journal -- Journalists working at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing are now facing one of their long-standing fears: censorship. Olympic organizers now admit reporters are being blocked access to some Internet sites in the Main Press Centre in China.

According to the Toronto Star, the blocked sites mean journalists are unable to access information about political and human rights stories because of government censorship.

For example, journos looking for information on Tibet are unable to gather info via the Web. Sites like Amnesty International's is being blocked in the press centre where about 5,000 print reporters are working.

The Chinese Foreign Ministry has confirmed the Web censorship, saying sites relating to Falun Gong have also been blocked.

Reuters is reporting the censorship was put in place after IOC officials cut a deal with China to block access. Kevan Gosper, chairman of the IOC's press commission, told Reuters:

"I ... now understand that some IOC officials negotiated with the Chinese that some sensitive sites would be blocked on the basis they were not considered Games related."

This comes after China promised it would let media freely gain access to information in the country, as part of their bid to win the Games years ago. Journalists arriving early in Beijing said sites deemed "sensitive" to the communist government are blocked.

As Reuters reports:

"I regret that it now appears BOCOG has announced that there will be limitations on website access during Games time," IOC press chief Kevan Gosper said, referring to Beijing's Olympic organizers. "I also now understand that some IOC officials negotiated with the Chinese that some sensitive sites would be blocked on the basis they were not considered Games related."

Organizers in the country say sites blocking these certain sites will not stop reporters from doing their job.

As The Register reports:

"We are going to do our best to facilitate the foreign media to do their reporting work through the Internet," BOCOG spokesman Sun Weide told a news conference. "I would remind you that Falun Gong is an evil, fake religion which has been banned by the Chinese government."

The IOC says it will investigate claims about reporters not being able to do their jobs because of website restrictions, and if necessary the organization will speak to Beijing organizers. There are 21,500 media accredited to cover the Games.