CBC Says China’s Olympics Sway Did Not Cause Docu Decision

The CBC, which will broadcast the ’08 Beijing Olympic Games in Canada, “denies it suddenly dumped a controversial new documentary on China’s Falun Gong movement because of pressure from the Chinese government,” according to Jim Bawden of the TORONTO STAR. However, CBC spokesperson Jeff Keay acknowledged that the CBC “received calls from the Chinese embassy in Ottawa and from the consulate in Toronto” about “Beyond The Red Wall: The Persecution of Falun Gong” (TORONTO STAR, 11/8). Toronto-based Ryerson Univ. Journalism School Chair Paul Knox said, “Was the CBC concerned [airing the program] might jeopardize it pulling off the coverage of the Olympics? Possibly.” But Keay “rejected any connection" between the Olympics and the decision to drop the documentary (N.Y. TIMES, 11/9). However, former Canadian Cabinet Minister David Kilgour said, “I’m sure the Chinese threatened the CBC that running Red Wall would jeopardize the CBC’s coverage of the Beijing Olympics. It’s their style” (TORONTO SUN, 11/8).