Online Tibet briefing blocked by Beijing

AAP | Friday, 01 August 2008

An online media conference about freedom for Tibet was blocked in China today, confirming that internet access continues to be censored for international media at the Beijing Olympics.

Students for a Free Tibet held the live broadcast via their website, to update the situation in Tibet and outline plans for global action during the Olympic Games.

AAP was unable to access the website from Beijing. Each attempt to connect resulted in a note that the webpage could not be displayed.

However, journalists in Australia could participate in the conference without difficulty.

The governing body of the Olympics today said it never entered into a deal with Chinese authorities to censor the internet during the Beijing Games.

In a statement released today, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) said it had always encouraged organisers of the Beijing Olympics to provide media with the fullest access possible during the Games, including internet access.

"The IOC would like to stress that no deal with the Chinese authorities to censor the internet has ever in any way been entered into," the statement said.

However, China's foreign ministry yesterday said it would continue to censor the internet during the Games, despite an international outcry.

"We are determined to implement the regulations," said foreign ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao.