China's Media Freedom Is in Name Only

Chinese authorities have ordered a 10-second broadcast delay to avoid "undesirable" incidents — such as protests or anti-Chinese slogans — being seen by the domestic masses, according to Hong Kong's Ming Pao daily, a Chinese-language newspaper.

But technically the 4 billion viewers around the world should be able to see everything live — including any protests — under China's promise to give the foreign media "complete freedom to report when they come to China". This was to include uncensored internet access.

But with only 25 days until the opening of the Games, China's pledge of media freedom is sounding distinctly Orwellian.

Read the rest of this Sydney Morning Herald article .
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