It's our duty to shine a light on China
Tuesday, April 22, 2008 | 11:15 PM ET
Covering the Olympics is a huge responsibility. I’ve already done seven of them, but directing CBC’s coverage carries with it great responsibility. People expect not only a high level of sports coverage, but also a very high level of journalism. Those expectations are heavy, but also positive. Especially this year.
There has been no shortage of opinions on China as host of the Games and its record on human rights; its treatment of Tibet; its position on Darfur and many other issues. I’ve come to the conclusion that my opinion on those issues is not important, but our network’s coverage of them is essential.
More than ever, I believe staging the Games, participating in them, and supporting them is positive in many ways. And I think China playing host can be good for the world, and good for the Chinese - if their government keeps its promise to allow the world press to report without constraint.
This is an area on which the IOC has continued to press Chinese officials. It is the most important issue for us at the CBC and, I believe, it is the issue that will determine whether the 2008 Olympics plays a role for positive change.
The common refrain is that the Olympics and politics don’t mix. That’s wrong. They do, and they must, in many ways. What is actually correct is that politics and the IOC shouldn’t mix. The IOC is a sports organization. It runs a great sports event that brings athletes, media and others together in peace for 16 days. The IOC should worry about organizing great games. In doing so, it will inevitably create controversy. In my opinion, the IOC is right to try to stay out of that controversy. Leave that to others.
The IOC awarded the 2008 Games to China for any number of reasons. Among them was to expose the ideals of the Olympics and the power of sport to the largest nation on earth. But in awarding Beijing the Games, the IOC immediately provided an important stage not only for athletes but for great debate - debate that will help us understand China better and even perhaps improve life there for the average citizen.
There are some who would like the CBC, as well as Olympic sponsors, to join the debate directly. I can’t speak for sponsors, but I do not believe that is our role. It is our responsibility to provide journalistically sound coverage of what happens on the stage that has been provided, both athletic and political.
Exposure can spark change
These Games will be historic. Apart from what happens on the field, they will either be a coming out party for China, or they could be something totally different.
Whatever happens, 25,000 media members will be in China covering what occurs inside and outside the lines. The IOC’s phrase is that the world’s media will be “shining a light” on China and its actions before and during the Games. That is what the press does. Often it leads to change.
In fact, do we think the issues of Tibet and Darfur would be getting the amount of international exposure and discussion they currently are without the Olympic “stage?” If the answer is “no”, then the positive effects of these games are already being felt.
To those who want to protest, that is their right. In fact, people should be encouraged to peacefully stand up for what they believe in. As the Olympics are being held, they will be sharing the stage.
But for those who say we should not cover the games, or sponsors should not support the Games, I ask: what will that accomplish, other than to deny Canadians coverage of their athletes at the games, and take the exposing spotlight off of China?
Lord Sebastian Coe, the great distance runner, was on the British Olympic team that went to Moscow in 1980. He has said that he believes the exposure the Russian people received from the Western world went much further in creating significant and lasting change in Russia than did the American-led boycott of those games.
Olympic sporting events may not create positive political change in China. But the stage and spotlight that they create may do what sport itself can’t.
It’s our responsibility to cover all of that. And we will, with the high journalistic standards of the CBC.
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About the Author
Scott Moore is Executive Director of CBC Sports.
Prior to coming to CBC in 2007, Mr. Moore held various senior positions at CTV, TSN and Sportsnet.
As a producer, his credits include seven Olympic Games, Stanley Cups, Grey Cups, world junior championships, figure skating and auto racing, as well as various news and entertainment specials.
Recent Posts
- "You should be hung for treason"
- Monday, June 16, 2008
- It's our duty to shine a light on China
- Tuesday, April 22, 2008
- We love Montreal. We really do.
- Wednesday, April 16, 2008
- Thank You Curling Fans
- Friday, April 11, 2008
- An Open Letter to Curling Fans
- Thursday, April 10, 2008
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Comments
William
Surrey
Personally, I think the Olympics is an extravagant, obscenely expensive spectactle that has been turned into a political event like no other and has long outlived its usefulness (if it ever had any).
However that is neither here nor there and I realize my opinion counts for nothing. I am only one of the masses whose sole purpose is to help pay the bills for all the leeches living off such events.
I will though point out that the Olympics will not make one bit (zero) of difference to China's human rights record. Anybody who thinks it will will be sadly disappointed.
Posted June 16, 2008 06:49 PM
Rachel
China
Human abuse is something I think Chinese are working to resolve-- it is very traditional for this nation to be strict in putting discipline or action that it finds as a treat to its society. While Tibet, China also done possitive assistance in creating a better living and economy for that region. Looking back, comparing other countries in Asia, I think Chinese gov't and its people have done alot to improve its country status and also sometimes assisting neighboring countries. I can't think much of which strong powered country having possitive approval rating recently. No matter what, I do believe that this country is improving itself and it does want to shine. As for Olympic, it is really difficult for politics not to get involve in the picture but I dont believe in boycotting will do any good except to prove that those who do are just plain insecured. There is a time to discuss certain issues but pls, set clear that this is Olympic and we should just let it be...
Posted April 24, 2008 09:56 AM
simon
In the words of the elite sportsman Helmut Vasher...'Stand proud, polish your batons and get ready to blow your trumpets, because it's time to rise to the occasion and let the Olympic spirit come to town'.
Posted April 23, 2008 11:43 PM
Mike
How very patronizing of you....Why not shine a light on your own backyard before you take it upon your "white man's burden" self to enlighten and liberate the Chinese "heathens". Do you seriously think all this disgusting behavior attacking the Olympic torch, and the not so subtle attempts at humiliating the Chinese will get you any results? The Chinese people, both inside and outside China have rallied around the flag and their government....the government that you so despise is more powerfulnow than ever. I think Beijing will have the last laught. I am not much of a Beijing supporter in the past, but I am now.
Mike
Milton, MA USA
Posted April 23, 2008 06:34 PM
Bob
Indiana
Ugh - you claim that it 'is not the CBC's role to join the debate directly' yet in the same article state that the 'issues of Tibet and Darfur' ... 'getting the international exposure they currently are' ... 'is a positive effect'.
Saying that these are issues and ones that deserve international exposire is taking a side in the debate. Ask the people on bulletin boards, forums, & comments sections of Chinese language sites throughout the internet if they think that the 'issue of Tibet' is something worthy of international exposure and is a 'positive effect'.
Hypocrite.
Posted April 23, 2008 03:33 PM
bill
China
What you said is absolutely correct. Seeing is believing. No matter how you view China. Come here and prove yourself.
Posted April 23, 2008 09:30 AM
Tim in PA
You might have a point of helping China with its improvement. But the way of boycotting and lecturing without understanding the feeling of Chiense will never work. China will change, maybe on the pace of nobody can predict... but it will follow its own way.
Posted April 23, 2008 09:22 AM
Peter
USA
Then let us shine some light on Human Rights for Native Canadians in 2010 Winter Olympics in Canada as well. Justice and Duty does not go only one way toward outside
Posted April 23, 2008 08:33 AM
Iewgnem
Toronto
There are two things one has to keep in mind when "shining the light"
One, be careful not to get dazzled by the reflection, the Olympic might look like a wonderful target for shinning the light, but it also tend to reflect it if you don't do it properly, as you've seen by recent events.
Two, sparking change does not mean it will always be a change for the better, it has been and will be a terrible mistake to think, and act toward sparking a change with using the wrong target, with the wrong methods. The Olympcis is not viewed by Chinese as a goverment event, when you target it, no matter how much you say you are just targeting the goverment, nobody will listen because they personally feel connected to the event. As many have undoubtfully witnessed, the only "change" sparked by the protesters has been to drive Chinese nationals closer, not farther, away from Chinese goverment, regardless of where they are in the world.
The west is playing a dangerous game with the Olympics, it holds too high an importance in the Chinese public and the backlash seen in recent days should be a warning so a reconsideration toward the western approach could be considered, least not to destroy the west's, and wester politically active journalists' image any further.
Posted April 23, 2008 08:29 AM
Jeremy Calow
Michigan
The title of the article represents the condescending and patronizing attitude foreigners find hypocritical in light of our and our allies' historical or recent abuses and human rights violations.
Posted April 23, 2008 08:08 AM