The
International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) condemns China’s continuing restrictions on media
coverage of issues related to the Olympics and Tibet,
after limits were placed on what could be reported about the relay of the
Olympic torch through Tibet
at the weekend.
Several
foreign journalists reported to the IFJ that their movements were tightly
controlled. After the torch relay had finished at an open public area in Lhasa, Tibet’s
capital, on June 21, authorities would not permit the journalists to leave
promptly. No reason was given, the journalists said.
A
scheduled media visit to Lhasa’s
Jokhang Monastery, which was badly damaged during civil unrest on March 14, was
cancelled suddenly without explanation on June 22, the journalists said. The
monastery in Barkhor Square
is listed as a UNESCOWorld Heritage Site.
The
media visit to Lhasa, involving about 50 foreign
journalists, was the second such visit organised by authorities since protests
against Beijing’s rule erupted in Lhasa and elsewhere in
March.
Foreign
journalists are forbidden to enter the region independently.
“The
controls on media reporting from Tibet are contrary to internationally
accepted standards of press freedom and rights,” IFJ Asia-Pacific said.
“Once
again, China’s authorities
have stage-managed reporting related to the Olympics and Tibet. In so doing, they break China’s promise – made in 2001 when Beijing won the right to host the Games – to respect and
uphold media rights and freedom in China.”
For further
information contact IFJ Asia-Pacific on +612 9333 0919
The IFJ represents over 600,000 in
122 countries worldwide