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IOC Admits Internet Censorship Deal With China

Posted by CmdrTaco on from the shut-up-it's-patriotic dept.

Dave writes "BEIJING (Reuters) — Some International Olympic Committee officials cut a deal to let China block sensitive websites despite promises of unrestricted access, a senior IOC official admitted on Wednesday. Persistent pollution fears and China's concerns about security in Tibet also remained problems for organizers nine days before the Games begin. China had committed to providing media with the same freedom to report on the Games as they enjoyed at previous Olympics, but journalists have this week complained of finding access to sites deemed sensitive to its communist leadership blocked. 'I regret that it now appears BOCOG has announced that there will be limitations on website access during Games time,' IOC press chief Kevan Gosper said, referring to Beijing's Olympic organizers. 'I also now understand that some IOC officials negotiated with the Chinese that some sensitive sites would be blocked on the basis they were not considered Games related,' he said." But yet somehow the mainstream media will ignore this because the Olympics are patriotic or something.

14 of 380 comments (clear)

  1. Why... by Leuf · · Score: 3, Funny

    Do you need to access the Amnesty International website to cover the Olympics?

  2. Also... by FlyingSquidStudios · · Score: 4, Funny

    The IOC has agreed to China's restrictions on soup with buffet.

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  3. The IOC lied? My God, I'm shocked! by hyades1 · · Score: 5, Funny

    When it comes to pure, mealy-mouthed, underhanded douchebaggery, it's difficult to beat your basic European upper class snob. The IOC, of course, is completely infested with the creatures.

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  4. Re:Mainstream media is covering it. by Otter · · Score: 3, Funny

    The freaking link is from Reuters, which meets most people's standards of "mainstream media".

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    What I'm listening to now on Pandora...
  5. IOC and China are a perfect match by Neil+Watson · · Score: 5, Funny

    One is ruled by ruthless despots. And so is China.

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    UNIX/Linux Consulting
  6. My Mother Tried This Approach With Me In 1964 by strelitsa · · Score: 4, Funny

    "Son, there are certain books in the library in this house that you are not allowed to read. We are the parents and know more than you do, so we get to make these kind of decisions and you have no recourse other than to shut up and agree.

    Now then, I am locking the books you are not allowed to read in this cabinet. Your father and I have the only keys to it. So that is that."

    To this day, I'm glad that How To Pick Locks and other tomes of that kind weren't locked in that cabinet. And I hope that the suits at NBC and other media outlets had a mother like mine.

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  7. Re:Not Patriotism... Money by coren2000 · · Score: 3, Funny

    NBC Sports would continue Olympic coverage even if Chinese soldiers were making a public show of bludgeoning dissidents to death in the street.

    Gives a whole new meaning to the 100m dash.

  8. Re:IOC: Its OK To Block Bad Religions by techiemikey · · Score: 5, Funny

    Who would do better at the 100m freestyle, Jesus or Mohammad?

    Jesus, he would sprint to the finishline.

  9. I gotta remember that trick by wiredog · · Score: 3, Funny

    When I want my kids to start reading I'll do that to them too. "Don't read these Evil Books!"

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  10. Re:Not Patriotism... Money by popeye44 · · Score: 2, Funny

    Yes, It could be the 100m BASH... since you mentioned bludgeoning I assumed I'd help out :-]

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  11. Re:Not Patriotism... Money by MightyMartian · · Score: 3, Funny

    If the Wichita Weekly Sentinel ain't reporting it, it ain't news!

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  12. Nice summary... not by Quiet_Desperation · · Score: 2, Funny

    But yet somehow the mainstream media will ignore this because the Olympics are patriotic or something.

    Huh? Someone sprained an ideology tendon or something.

    Anyway.

    China: We want to censor web sites.
    IOC: OK.
    China: Now, don't argue with- wait... what?
    IOC: We said OK.
    China: ... Oh.
    IOC: (blank smile)
    China: Can we censor phone calls and email?
    IOC: You got it!
    China: Our guards would like to strip search the athletes.
    IOC: OK!
    China: Hourly.
    IOC: No problem! Deep cavity searches?
    China: Um, yes?
    IOC: Agreed.
    China: Make them wear ball gags, tie their hands behind their backs, jump around and shout "squawk squawk squawk" after singing the My Little Teapot song.
    IOC: Yessir!
    China: Of course our athletes are exempt from this.
    IOC: Okey Dokey!
    China: (pause) Can we put nipple clamps on you and kick you all in the crotch?
    IOC: That would be just tickey-boo! With pants or without?
    China: Sweet!

  13. Re:Well Said! by mrdoogee · · Score: 2, Funny

    There is no distinctly American criminal class - except Congress.
    ~Mark Twain

  14. Re:IOC: Its OK To Block Bad Religions by mjwx · · Score: 2, Funny

    Who would do better at the 100m freestyle, Jesus or Mohammad?

    Jesus, he would sprint to the finishline.

    But the finish line would come to Mohammed.

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    Calling someone a "hater" only means you can not rationally rebut their argument.