The boss of the BBC World Service’s Cantonese- and Mandarin-language service has had her invitation to the Beijing Olympics opening ceremony withdrawn, the broadcaster confirmed today. Lorna Ball, the head of BBC Chinese, had been invited by state broadcaster China Radio International to the August 8 ceremony but will not now be travelling to China. BBC spokesman Mark Gardner said: “The invitation was withdrawn and we have not received an explanation.”
Ball often hosts talks on media freedom in China, including a forum at the London School of Economics last November, which was attended mainly by British-based Chinese students. The BBC spokesman said that one BBC Chinese journalist had been granted accreditation to cover the Olympics.
- (Source: AFP)
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on Jul 30th, 2008 at 17:00
Based on the news item indicating that the IOC has basically given the Chinese authorities carte blanche to impose restrictions and censorship on journalists covering the olympics, I’d say your reporters will have their work cut out for them.
on Aug 8th, 2008 at 09:45
News freedom is not equal to create fake or false news. BBC is already shamed for its “unbiased” report of the Tibet Riot. Will UK welcome a Free Ireland program on their network? or a Free Scotland program? or a Free Wales program? London is a foreign country 2000 years ago. Please read your own history. Every country has their problem but it is not the concern of any person from the nation that invaded Iraq for oil.