A curated selection of public diplomacy-relevant news from a global cross-section of English-language media outlets, including independent, corporate-owned, and state-sponsored sources. The stories featured don't necessarily represent CPD's views nor have they been verified by CPD.
Beijing’s troubling Olympic deception
Media companies that have paid for the rights to broadcast the Games are now being told they will not be able to film live in iconic locations like Tiananmen Square. Chinese officials fear protesters will be visible in the shots and fear an international backlash if cameras catch police violently engaging the protesters.
Fahey backs China to nab Olympic cheats
Drug cheats have more chance of being caught at the Beijing Games than at any previous Olympics, World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) president John Fahey says.
Beijing gets ground-to-air defense
China has stationed a battery of ground-to-air missiles just 300 yards from a Beijing Olympic venue, the latest sign of tightening security with the games just 6 1/2 weeks away. The fenced-off military compound has been set up just south of the Olympic Sports Center Stadium, a venue for soccer and modern pentathlon. It's also within a half mile of the Water Cube and the Bird's Nest National Stadium, the $450 million showpiece venue of the games.
Alhurra Paid Former White House Aides, Washington Journalists
Alhurra, the U.S. government-funded Arabic news channel, paid former Bush and Clinton administration officials, lobbyists and high-profile Washington journalists tens of thousands of dollars in U.S. taxpayer money to appear on the network as commentators, according to interviews and a review of company records.
A Constructive Look at Al-Hurra and Its Critics
The following blog entry provides two critiques -- first of the oddly framed arguments in CBS's coverage of Al-Hurra, and second of the government's rejoinder. Basically, while the CBS report brings up important organizational and strategic deficiencies surrounding Al-Hurra and its 'mission' -- its criticism only highlights the fact that Al-Hurra has been conferred conflicting (and perhaps contradictory) objectives and lacks a political constituency in the government. The U.S.
Olympic flame moves people as torch relayed on International Olympic Day
The Olympic torch was relayed along the Qinghai Lake on Monday, the second stop of its Qinghai leg in "Journey of Harmony". Compared with the flame's travel in many big cities, its arrival in the pastoral Qinghai Lake is a special event for local Tibetans and other ethnic residents. Many of them came to the lakeside one or two days ago, waiting for the flame.
China’s Visa Policy Threatens Olympics Tourism
With the Beijing Olympics less than two months away, hotel operators, travel agencies, and foreign businessmen say new Chinese visa restrictions are proving bad for business, casting a pall over Beijing during what was supposed to be a busy and jubilant tourist season leading up to the Olympic Games. Chinese authorities acknowledged putting new visa restrictions in place in May — after foreign embassies reported fewer visas being granted and tighter, sometimes seemingly arbitrary, restrictions.
Al Hurra Missteps Echo Other U.S.-Backed Media
Recent missteps by Al Hurra, the U.S.-sponsored Arabic-language television network, recalls the mixed history of other U.S. radio and television networks created for foreign audiences. Broadcasts by Radio Marti and others have also been controversial.
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