TV official warns about Olympic coverage

Non rights-holders face many of the same restrictions over where they’ll be allowed to set up satellite trucks and high-tech equipment.

“I’m seeing promises of progress, but I’m not seeing the progress,” said Sandy MacIntrye, director of news for AP Television News. APTN is the television arm of The Associated Press and a non-rights holder.

“I know the IOC is pushing them (Chinese) to get this stuff done,” MacIntrye added. “They (Chinese) have promised progress and we wait to see if they live up to the promises.”

Murray Needham, the general manager of sports at Television New Zealand, voiced similar concerns. TVNZ is a rights holder.

“I think many of us knew in the back of our minds that a China-hosted Games could throw up some unique difficulties and so it has proved,” Needham wrote in an e-mail. “The broadcasting fraternity holds its breath in nervous anticipation.”

Shaken by protests on international legs of the Olympic torch relay following the outbreak of deadly rioting March 14 in Tibet, China’s authoritarian government seems to be backtracking on promises to let reporters work as they have at previous Olympics.

A law enacted 18 months ago gave reporters freedom to move around the country, although Tibet has been off limits. The law generally has worked, although reporting remains a problem in the provinces.

In recent months, the government has tightened visa rules, particularly targeting foreign students. The government fears many would side with activist groups if protests break out.

China is on the record promising unrestricted coverage.

In a 273-page guide to coverage for the foreign press, the introduction says: “The Chinese government will honor its commitments in the bid process ... to provide quality and convenient services to the media in accordance with international practice and the successful experience from previous games, so as to satisfy the demands of the media covering the Olympic Games in China.”

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