Reporters complain of harassment, interference in run-up to Olympics

The International Olympic Committee will investigate censorship of the Internet service of reporters covering the run-up to the Beijing Olympics, Reuters reported.

The action comes at the same time that reporters are starting to complain about individual cases of harassment, including incidents involving Hong Kong journalists who were attacked by a crowd as police stood by, or by police themselves. In some incidents, police confiscated footage or demanded that the journalists delete it.

China had promised to allow international journalists full freedom to cover not just the Olympics, but also any stories in China during a long period before, during and after the games. Numerous incidents have already marred the promise of that pledge before the games have begun.