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

Beijing Olympics 2008: Winning Press Freedom
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itself has provided the framework by which the success of these Games should be judged.
The media plays, and will continue to play, an important role in reporting on Beijing's
delivery on those commitments.
We identify below some key concerns related to the promises set forth in the Beijing
Olympic action plan.
Green Olympics. “By 2008, we will achieve the goal of building the capital into an
ecological city that features green hills, clear water, grass-covered ground, and blue sky.”
A green Olympics cannot be expensive cosmetics for just the city of Beijing at the expense
of the surrounding provinces (for example, access to water) or the rest of the country. A
green Olympics by definition must also be responsible for longer term sustainable impacts
on air pollution and protection of water resources. While China's government has taken
some environmental steps, such as planting more trees in Beijing, it has far to go in
tackling major environmental challenges.
Much media attention has focused on the impact of pollution on the athletes participating
in the Games. Rogge has warned that events could be postponed if conditions are
unhealthy, and some athletes say they plan to arrive in Beijing as late as possible to
minimize exposure to pollution, or have refused to participate in certain events altogether.
In assessing a green Olympics, there needs to be greater attention on the serious impacts
of pollution on China's own people. A World Health Organization report estimates that air
and water pollution in China causes some 750,000 premature deaths every year, and
China is home to 16 of the 20 most polluted cities in the world.
Beijing's neighboring provinces have faced a decade-long drought. Now Olympics
demands are diverting water to Beijing, threatening the lives of millions of peasant
farmers, according to a senior Chinese official. Olympic preparations have already
exacerbated this precarious water shortage crisis. How will these farmers cope in the final
leadup to the Games and after?
These examples reflect the complex challenges that require long-term solutions, and the
cooperation of other governments, regional organizations, transnational corporations, and
ordinary citizens, as well as the Chinese government itself.
High-Tech Olympics. “We will make all-out efforts to guarantee the security during the
Olympic Games on the basis of a sound social order, reliable public transport and fire
fighting systems, safe medical and health structures, and well planned supporting
measures.”
High-tech Olympics must strike an appropriate balance between security and respect for
human rights required by international standards. This challenge is particularly critical in
light of China's repressive security, censorship, and surveillance system.