MEDIA FREEDOMS IN CHINA

Early day motion 476, tabled 5 December 2007 by Lord Foster of Bath (Liberal Democrat). Signed by 55 members.

That this House notes with concern that the Chinese government has not granted domestic journalists the freedom to travel and report at liberty during the 2008 Olympic Games; further notes that the media liberties granted to foreign journalists are due to expire on 17th October 2008; recognises concerns expressed by foreign journalists that they are still being searched and interrogated by Chinese officials; further notes that the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games Bid Committee promised when it was bidding for the Games that there would not be any restrictions on media reporting or the movement of journalists before and during the Olympics including in occupied Tibet; and calls on the Government to urge the International Olympic Committee to put pressure on the Chinese government to ensure that both foreign and domestic journalists are granted the complete liberty to report the truth at the Beijing Olympics without fear of intimidation or detention.

Signatures by party: Liberal Democrat 23, Labour 20, Conservative 6, Social Democratic and Labour Party 2, DUP 1, Plaid Cymru 1, Scottish National Party 1, UUP 1.