OLYMPICS REPORTING:

Six veteran sports journalists gave their views to the FCCC

The FCCC asked six veteran sports correspondents from six countries to comment on their experiences covering Beijing’s preparations for the Olympics.  All have covered previous Games, and are currently stationed in Beijing.

The reporters said that, overall, BOCOG (Beijing Organizing Committee for the Olympic Games) propaganda officials are relatively progressive and open compared to those in most other Chinese government agencies.

However, the reporters found that access to spokespersons and newsmakers remains a major obstacle. Even when authorities provide an interview or speak at a press conference, the quality of statements and data is inadequate. Compared to previous Olympics, the journalists said the biggest difference is access to athletes and training camps, with some suggesting athletes are surrounded by secrecy.

Here is a selection of their comments:

OVERALL:

"Working on the Olympics is very much like doing everything else as a journalist in China. [Authorities] are suspicious about you. But I think BOCOG officials are quite progressive in some ways, and I think that some people in the foreign ministry are progressive. They want to give you as much information as possible but they can't give you enough.  My general impression is: frustrating but positive."  -- A reporter for a French media organization

"In some cases, I don't think BOCOG is trying to restrict information.  I think they just don't understand the process of how journalism works, and how quickly responses are needed on news stories.”  -- A sports reporter who’s been in Beijing for more than a year

"There is an ingrained suspicion of foreigners. The old view still persists: 'why should we talk to the media?'”  -- A European news agency reporter

ON ACCESS TO ATHLETES:

"Athletes are not available to the media. I have requested visits to training camps several times but have always been turned down."  -- Francesco Liello, La Gazzetta dello Sport, Italy 

 "I’ve had more access to American athletes here [in China] than to Chinese athletes."     -- A reporter for a French media organization 

"Getting hold of a Liu Xiang (champion hurdler) would be difficult anywhere in world. But even if want to talk to young wrestlers or a weightlifter, you have to call the sports ministry.  An official then passes you on to the weight-lifting department, which requests a fax, which often ultimately leads to a reply that an interview is 'not convenient.' "  -- A European news agency reporter  

 ON ACCESS TO OFFICIALS: 

"I know who to call, but I don't get any answers."  -- A European sports reporter 

"There are an adequate number of press conferences, but no valuable information is given, ever."  -- Francesco Liello, La Gazzetta dello Sport, Italy  

"Even for casual inquiries, such as how many seats [there are] in a stadium, you have to go through a huge rigmarole. Very straightforward information -- like how much are they spending on the Olympics -- is almost impossible to find out.”  -- A European news agency reporter 

"In Athens it was the case, too, that there were a lot of questions but not many answers.  But here the information barrier is bigger and stronger. They are not used to dealing with the foreign media…They don't really have the feeling that they have to answer questions."  -- A reporter for a French media organization 

ON SATISFACTION WITH QUALITY AND RELIABILITY OF DATA:

"Absolutely none. Data varies according to department.  [Some officials] mix apples and pears. BOCOG often just picks up Xinhua News Agency reports, which are unreliable. They throw around estimates. Nailing down a figure doesn't seem to be remotely important."  -- A European news agency reporter

“Veracity is very low. I just don’t believe what they say. I don’t believe the statistics…BOCOG’s spokesmen just don’t have much credibility. I can’t verify anything.” –  A sports reporter who’s been in Beijing for more than a year.