Beijing Olympics 2008

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang on Thursday urged foreign press members to do their part to create a favorable news coverage environment in China.
To honor its commitment in the bid for the right to host the Olympic Games, the Chinese government started on January 1, 2007 to implement the “Regulations On Reporting Activities in China by Foreign Journalists During the Beijing Olympic Games and the Preparatory Period.”
With a serious attitude toward the implementation of the Regulations, concerned government agencies and local governments have made great efforts to earnestly carry them out. “Any unbiased journalist will feel that a freer press coverage environment is available to foreign journalists now and they enjoy more facilities and services in China today,” Qin said at a regular press conference.
Generally speaking, he noted, the Regulations have been carried out well since they were put into force, and the move was commended by the international community, including foreign governments and media. However, there were some problems, Qin said, explaining that it takes time to carry out the Regulations in depth as conditions vary in different places in view of the country’s vast territory and big population. On the other hand, some foreign journalists need to rethink profoundly about their behaviors. Many cases of resistance to press coverage were caused by violations of the Regulations by some journalists, or their insistence for interviews against the interviewees’ will.
In violating journalistic ethics, Qin said, some media members even distorted facts and fabricated stories. “So both of us need to do our best to efficiently carry out the Regulations with an aim at improving press conditions in China and making news coverage acceptable to more organizations,” Qin added.

from: http://en.beijing2008.cn/news/dynamics/headlines/n214268530.shtml