Foreign reporters from around the world have been promised the
same unrestricted access they've enjoyed at other Olympics when
covering the 2008 Games in Beijing. Organizers yesterday
said the government will follow international practices for
coverage by media organizations during the event.
A senior organizing committee official said the government had
already started amending relevant laws, formulating special
policies and simplifying administrative approval procedures to
ensure good working conditions for foreign journalists.
Speaking at the opening ceremony of the 2006 World Broadcaster
Meeting in Beijing yesterday, Liu Qi, president of the Beijing Organizing
Committee for the Games of the XXIX Olympiad (BOCOG) said the
government was taking action to improve the working environment for
foreign journalists.
Liu said: "Following international practices and the successes
of previous Olympics some specific actions are being taken or will
be taken."
New measures will include a regulation which will exempt foreign
journalists with Olympic identity and accreditation cards from
having to hold visas. Their identity cards will allow them to make
multiple entries into China during the Games.
Journalists will be permitted to get temporary entry permission
for overseas vehicles and apply for temporary driving permits.
They'll also be able to rent apartments and offices through local
real-estate agencies.
The Press Commission of the Chinese Olympic Committee will
assist foreign journalists set up interviews with Chinese
athletes.
Foreign media organizations will be allowed to install their own
radio equipment during the Games. And they can bring equipment into
the country tax-free.
They'll also be able to apply for permission to film cultural
relics through the BOCOG which will acquire permission from the
State Administration of Cultural Heritage on their behalf. And the
BOCOG will help organizations who want aerial film of Olympic
events to get permission from the relevant authorities.
Another new policy will regulate foreign media organization's
employment of Chinese citizens during the Games.
"The new regulations will be released and take effect in 2007
after going through legislative procedures," said Liu.
(China Daily August 11, 2006)