Originally published by the Voice of America (www.voanews.com).
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July 31, 2008

Internet Access Questioned for Beijing Olympics 
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http://enews.voanews.com/t?ctl=1D7A4AA:A6F02AD83191E160144A26C1EEF69CB798CBE7246176B735&
 
International Olympic Committee apologizes to foreign reporters for
misleading them into thinking they would have totally unrestricted
Internet access during Summer Games 
A senior official with the International Olympic Committee is
apologizing to foreign reporters in Beijing for misleading them into
thinking they would have totally unrestricted Internet access during the
Olympics. Stephanie Ho reports from the Chinese capital.Kevan Gosper
(File)The International Olympic Committee's media head, Kevan Gosper,
says he was not previously aware of an understanding between Chinese
officials and senior IOC executives, that access to some Internet sites
will continue to be blocked by China. On Thursday, he apologized to
journalists in Beijing for giving the impression that Internet access
during the Olympics would be completely unrestricted. "I am concerned
that the international media, who we rely on for reporting the games,
has been caught by surprise. That, for me, is unacceptable," Gosper
said.Another IOC member, Australian Olympic chief John Coates, also
expressed measured criticism."As I've said before, I was upset when I
heard about it !
 yesterday," Coates said. "I think it's a great pity, but if that's how
it's going to be, so be it."Accredited journalists go online at main
press center (MPC) for Beijing Olympic Games, 30 Jul 2008Beijing Olympic
Organizing Committee spokesman Sun Weide says journalists will have what
he called "sufficient and convenient" Internet access.Sun told reporters
Chinese authorities will - with the exception of websites the Chinese
deem illegal - provide full access to the Internet to facilitate their
reporting during the Olympic games.He says the Internet will continue to
be regulated according to Chinese law, which forbids anyone to spread
illegal information on groups such as Falun Gong or to use the Internet
to harm national interests - not exactly the "free access" some
reporters expected.


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