The Chinese have reneged on a promise to keep the Internet uncensored for journalists, throwing a giant middle finger to the world's media:
The Chinese have reneged on a promise to keep the Internet uncensored for journalists, throwing a giant middle finger to the world’s media:
Olympic organizers are backtracking on another promise about coverage of the Beijing Games, keeping in place blocks on Internet sites in the Main Press Center and venues where reporters will work. …
The blocked sites will make it difficult for journalists to retrieve information, particularly on political and human rights stories the government dislikes. On Tuesday, sites such as Amnesty International or any search for a site with Tibet in the address could not be opened at the Main Press Center, which will house about 5,000 print journalists when the games open Aug. 8. …
Cuban reporter Joel Garcia Leon, with the magazine Trabajadores, said he expected the censorship. But he was overwhelmed by other red tape.
“I’m surprised how tightly controlled and complicated everything is here,” he said. “To get a phone number from China Mobile, I have to give them a copy of my passport and my mother’s maiden name. This seems quite excessive and abnormal.”
When a Cuban journalist complains about censorship, you know it's bad.
