Beijing Olympics 2008: Winning Press Freedom - World Press ...

Beijing Olympics 2008: Winning Press Freedom
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Being the BBC Chinese Service
Because we broadcast and publish in Chinese, sometimes we are treated more harshly by
the authorities; but other times, we have better opportunities than our English-language
colleagues.
The BBC has a bureau in Beijing, with two British reporters and some Chinese researchers,
but our numerous requests to have a Chinese producer in China have all been rejected.
In 2006, a BBC team went to Guangdong to do some live programs, and in the team there
were two Chinese producers and some producers and reporters from other language
services. Our two producers were closely watched, their blog was read every day and
commented on by the government minders, and when they interviewed local people, they
were closely watched. More than 10 officials were present when our producer went into a
peasant’s home, making it very difficult to conduct a frank interview.
But sometimes being able to communicate directly in Chinese gives us unique
opportunities that our English-speaking colleagues can’t enjoy.
Over the years, we have worked with Chinese broadcasters to organize debates on social
issues - either broadcast or web cast - which are broadcast by us and our local partners.
We have covered AIDS, smoking and health, the environment, traffic problems and even
press freedom.
The fact that these debates can take place at all shows progress in China, but
considerable differences still exist about the way we approach these issues and the
manner of the debate, and we have to be very resilient and flexible to pull it off.
A very interesting example was a debate on Beijing’s preparedness for the Olympic Games
that took place last August. The issues included what the Games would bring to China, to
Beijing and to ordinary Chinese people, and how would the successes be judged.
Our partner this time was Beijing Sport Radio, part of Beijing Radio. They wanted to use a
well-known international brand as a platform to give good publicity to the Games, and we
wanted to hear some frank views. The plan was to present the debate jointly and
broadcast it live, and we invited some high-profile guests to appear as panelists.
When our production team arrived, however, Beijing Radio was deeply embroiled in a
scandal over adulterated dumplings, which brought down the radio's director, and the
atmosphere was noticeably tense. The station wanted to exercise strict control over the
debate, and the plan to broadcast it live was scrapped; a high-ranking official who had
been invited changed his mind about appearing, so we had to frantically search for a
substitute.
Before the debate, when our presenter and their presenter sat down to go over the
questions, we were told that the debate should not touch on certain areas, such as the
budget, medal hopes for China, or if people outside Beijing would benefit from the Games.
In the end, those questions were asked anyway by our presenter in a very skilled way,
and the guests did give their views. The show was web cast live, and the professionalism
and skills of our production team won high praise from the Chinese side.