There has been a lot of interest in the international media regarding the International Olympic Committee’s disclosure “that some of its officials had struck a deal with Beijing organisers, allowing the Communist authorities to block sensitive internet sites” as reported by The Times.

Many may already know this, but as part of their censorship, China also censors domain names by keyword. So any domain name, or URL, that includes ‘Tibet’ will not be allowed access by Chinese internet users, as well as those journalists or anyone else in China for the Olympic Games.

“Journalists at the main media centre in Beijing found the BBC Chinese language site was blocked, as was the website of such human rights organisations as Amnesty International and Reporters Without Borders, whose welcome page currently shows the five Olympic rings replaced with interlocking handcuffs. US broadcaster Radio Free Asia and German radio station Deutsche Welle are also out of bounds.

“Kevan Gosper, the IOC press chief, confirmed that some IOC officials had agreed to Chinese demands that some sensitive sites be blocked on the grounds they were not related to the Olympics. ‘I regret that it now appears BOCOG [Beijing Organising Committee for the Games] has announced there will be limitations on website access during Games time.’”

To read this article from The Times in full, see www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/olympics/article4431162.ece.