Presentation at 10+3 Media Cooperation Forum
By Gao Changli
Director of the Sports News Department of Xinhua News Agency
Member of the International Olympic Committee press commission
Ladies and Gentlemen, Dear Friends, Good afternoon,
As BOCOG Deputy Director of Media Operations, I’m very honored to be here and to brief you on the latest progress on the Media Operations Preparations for the Beijing Olympic Games.
(Slide)
My presentation consists of five parts, respectively
●Facts and figures of the Olympic Games
●Introduction on BOCOG Media Operations Department
●Key deliverables of Media Operations
●Paralympic Games Media Operations
●Administrative Matters related to the coverage of the Olympic Games by international media
(Slide) Part One
Before my presentation on Media Operations, I’d like to give you some general information about the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games.
Firstly, on some facts and figures of the Olympic Games .
As you know, the Olympic Games Opening ceremony will take place on August 8 ,2008, and the Olympic Village will officially open on July 27 ,2008.There will be 28 sports including three hundred and two (302) events ,with in total ten thousand seven hundred and eight (10,708) athletes competing for 302 gold medals. Besides, there will be seventy thousand (70,000) volunteers from both China and abroad. The Host Broadcaster will be Beijing Olympic Broadcasting Co., Ltd ( BOB ).The total accreditation for written press and BRC will be twenty one thousand six hundred (21,600).
Items Description
Olympic Games Opening ceremony August 8 ,2008
Olympic Village officially opens July 27 ,2008
Sports/ events 28/302
Gold Medals 302
Athletes 10,708
Olympic Games Volunteers 70,000
Host Broadcaster Beijing Olympic Broadcasting Co., Ltd ( BOB )
BOB staff 4,000 (four thousand)
Accredited Written Press & Photographers 5,600 (five thousand six hundred)
Rights Holding Broadcaster staff 12,000 (twelve thousand)
(Slide)
Here is a picture showing the Olympic Venues’ location.
For the 28 sports of the 2008 Olympic games, BOCOG will provide 37 competition venues, 31 of which are located in Beijing, five in other mainland cities (Football in Shanghai, Tianjin, Shenyang and Qinhuangdao, Sailing in Qingdao) and one in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) (Equestrian). The venues in Beijing are relatively concentrated in the following 4 clusters: the Olympic Green Cluster, the Western Community Cluster, the University Area Cluster and the North Scenic Area.
(Slide)
Another picture shows the Olympic Green Plan.
The Olympic Green covers an area of about one thousand one hundred and thirty-five (1,135) hectares, which includes a forest park of about six hundred and eighty (680) hectares and a central area of four hundred and five (405) hectare. It includes 10 competition venues like National Stadium, National Indoor Stadium, National Aquatics Center, etc, and six non-competition venues like MPC, IBC, Olympic Village, etc.
(Slide) Part Two
Now, I’d like to make a brief introduction about BOCOG Media Operations Department. The mission of our department mainly goes as follows:
▲ To provide convenient working conditions and good services for both the press and broadcasters;
▲ To deliver all facilities and services for the five thousand six hundred (5,600) accredited written and photographic press and RHB at the IBC/MPC, all competition venues, Olympic Village, Media Villages, the IOC Hotel and co-host cities;
▲To play a role of interface between BOCOG and the accredited media;
▲To coordinate with BOCOG’s relevant functional areas and governmental authorities to assist the media for their coverage;
▲To be responsible for the coordination with the host broadcaster—BOB.
All these are aimed at contributing to enable all accredited media to execute their best possible coverage of the Olympic Games to the widest possible audience all over the world.
(Slide) Part Three, on Key deliverables of Media Operations.
My department is responsible for both press operations and broadcasting coordination.
As for Press operations, we have five divisions respectively responsible for the delivery of the Main Press Center, Venue Media Centers, Olympic News Service, Photo Services, and Media Services as well.
(Slide) MPC
Firstly, on Main Press Center
The Main Press Center (MPC) is the central work place for the five thousand six hundred (5,600) written and photographic press accredited for the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, providing them with 24-hour comfortable support facilities, news and information services .It is also the headquarters of the BOCOG and IOC Press Operations.
The MPC will also be used as the MPC of the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games. Located at the west flank in the Beijing Olympic Green, just opposite to the International Broadcast Center (IBC), MPC provides accredited press with an easy access to the National Stadium, the National Aquatics Center, the National Indoor Stadium and other 7 competition venues as well as the Olympic Village in the Olympic Green.
(Slide)
With a total floor area of sixty thousand (60,000) square meters, the three-storey MPC building will be the largest ever in the Olympic history.
For the first time in the Olympic history, there will be two media hotels within the building of the MPC, one three-star rated and the other, five-star, which will provide the most convenience for representatives of media organizations. According to the requirements of the IOC technical manual, the MPC will officially open one month before the Games.
(Slide)
Inside the MPC, there will be the following Facilities and Services:
A Main Lobby with information desks and commercial outlets will be established.
A Main Press Workroom which accommodate nine hundred and eighty (980) workstations .
Rental office spaces for over 120 news organizations, NOCs and future OCOGs will also be provided for media at Games-time.
Press conference area with five rooms of large, middle and small sizes, together with photo work area and Kodak image center, rate card service center, technology support with results and information services, as well as catering areas will be set up separately for media services at Games-time.
(Slide)
Facilities and Services outside the MPC are as follows:
A media transport hub will be set up shared with the IBC, providing transport services for media between IBC/MPC and venues, Media villages and official media hotels, etc.
Rate card vehicles and Vehicles Access and Parking Permits (VAPPs) will be provided for the media and reserved through rate card only, and Rate Card Parking with 300 parking lots will be ready for Press and 800 for Broadcasters at Games- time.
The Media Accreditation Centre (Guest Pass Office) nearby the MPC and IBC which is dedicated for accredited media will be operating at Games-time.
Taxi ranks will also be set up to provide paid taxi services for the media at Games-time.
(Slide)
This slide shows the MPC location within the Olympic Green
(Slide)
This is a perspective drawing of the MPC Complex.
(Slide)
MPC Operations Timelines is listed here for your reference.
(Slide) Venue Media Services
Now, let’s come to the Venue Media Services
Venue Media Services aim to provide a standard level of facilities and services for accredited press across all the 37 competition venues, both in Beijing and other co-host cities, as well as the Olympic Village, Media Villages and IOC hotel.
Following the design and construction process of each VMC while planning all necessary resources, we will ensure a successful Games-time VMCs services consistent with requirements of IOC Media Technical Manual and successful experiences of previous Games.
(Slide)
Facilities & Services for media in the venues will include:
▲Media vehicle and pedestrian access and flow
▲Press Work Room
▲Press Conference Room
▲Photo Work Room
▲Media Lounge
▲Press Tribunes: tabled and non-tabled
▲Mixed Zone
as well as broadcast related facilities including BRC compound, commentary positions, camera platform.
(Slide)Next is Olympic News Service (ONS)
ONS aims to provide INFO users with a balanced Games news file of professional wire service standards written in clear concise language.
ONS will keep the media informed of Games developments in order to help them achieve the best possible coverage.
ONS news will be presented without bias or favor and independent of all external influence in accordance with the Olympic Charter.
(Slide)
ONS is responsible for providing media with comprehensive Games information services, including pre-Games information, such as athlete biographies and historical results and records, and the Games-time news service，such as Games preview and review, flash quotes, press conference highlights, and media communications as well.
ONS reporters and flash quotes collectors will interview and write stories in English at Games-time.
The stories are to appear on the INFO2008 terminals in 3 different languages, namely English, French and Chinese.
All these ONS services will ensure the fullest possible coverage reach the widest possible audience in the world.
(Slide) The following is Photo Services Photo Services is responsible for planning, providing and managing the facilities and services dedicated to around one thousand one hundred (1,100) accredited photographers, to ensure they are able to capture the best possible images of sports, ceremonies and related events.
Key tasks of Photo Services include:
▲To provide the best possible photo positions at each competition venue;
▲To deliver efficient venue and photo services operational planning at Games time;
(Slide)
▲To Staff and manage the photographic services and facilities at the MPC and all competition venue;
▲To ensure that the technology meets the demands of the digital photography age;
▲And to guarantee photo service level consistent with previous Games.
(Slide)
Photo services will be provided at MPC and all the other venues at Games-time.
At the MPC, BOCOG has reached an agreement with Kodak to integrate the Kodak Image Center and the photo work area. The current design of the Image Center provides photographers with a full open space in the workstation and full functions of the Image Center.
(Slide)
At the venues, exclusive photo workrooms with spacious workstations, lockers, transmission connection, INFO 2008, CATV, pigeonholes as well as logistics services will be available for photographers.
Venue access and traffic flow for photographers will be provided at their most convenience
Clearly designated photo positions with an unobstructed and direct view of the athletes both at FOP and in the Killed seats when appropriate within venues.
(Slide)The last key deliverable of Press Operations is Media Services, of which the mission goes as follows:
▲ To look after such vital media services provided by FAs within BOCOG as Accommodation, Accreditation, Transportation, Telecommunications & Technologies, Rate Card, Publication, Specialist Media Volunteer Program, Language Services, etc. and ensure that media needs are understood and met.
(Slide)
▲To liaise with news organizations on behalf of BOCOG FAs and helping them with advice on press requirements.
▲To keep a close working relationship with BOB and IOC Media Operations to oversee the delivery of all services to media
▲To coordinate relevant Chinese governmental authorities for specific policies for media coverage before and during the Olympic Games
(Slide)
Here I list some key Progress & Timelines of Media Services for your reference.
(Slide) Next part is on Broadcasting Coordination
As another part of Media operations responsibility, the mission of Broadcasting Coordination includes:
▲To serve as a contact point among BOCOG, various Chinese governmental departments, BOB, Rights-Holding Broadcasters and other relevant parties
▲To coordinate delivery of services by BOCOG to BOB and RHBs
▲To assist BOCOG in fulfilling its obligation under agreements and
▲To establish a mutually rewarding relationship with each RHB and BOB
(Slide)
Here, I’d like to give you a brief introduction on BOB.
As the host broadcaster for the 2008 Olympic Games and the 2008 Paralympic Games, BOB has officially come into operation in September, 2004.
BOB is a Sino-foreign cooperative joint venture founded and established by BOCOG and OBS in accordance with the law and regulations of the People’s Republic of China.
Media Operations Department is the liaison point between BOB and BOCOG
(Slide) Part Four
The fourth part is about Paralympic Games Media Operations
The following are some plans and achievements on Paralympic Games Media Operations Preparations:
▲We will remain the same service level as Olympic Games ,while with a smaller scale during the Paralympic Games.
▲While planning services and facilities for media across all venues, we take special requirements into consideration from media representatives with disability.
▲All accessibility facilities will be completed before Olympic Games so as to decrease works during transition period and meet requirements of media representatives with disability during the Olympic Games
(Slide)
▲We will make use of the same MPC & IBC for the Paralympic Games .
▲Media Service plans for Paralympic Games have been initiated in terms of accreditation, accommodation, transport, etc.
(Slide)Part Five
The last part of my presentation is Administrative Matters
Over the past years, China’s relevant government authorities have made great efforts to facilitate the coverage conducted by foreign journalists in China and some legal actions are being taken or will be taken in this connection.
One important approach is the Regulations on Reporting Activities in China by Foreign Journalists During the Beijing Olympic Games and the Preparatory Period which took into effect on January 1st this year.
And, up to now, we have already received very positive feedbacks from international community especially from international media.
(Slide)
Compared with the past practice, this regulation represents some major improvements as follows:
▲Visa application procedures for media representatives coming to China for the coverage at Games-time has been simplified;
▲Customs clearance for equipments for media representatives coming to China for the coverage at Games-time has been simplified;
▲ In accordance with the regulation, for reporting needs, foreign journalists may, on a temporary basis, bring in, install and use radio communication equipment and assistance will be provided in frequency coordination.
▲ In addition, foreign journalists may travel across China to carry out interviews and reporting activities without restrictions. To interview organizations or individuals in China, journalists need only to obtain their prior consent. Foreign journalists can carry out reporting activities not only on the Beijing Olympic Games and the preparatory period, but also on politics, economy, society and culture of China.
▲Foreign journalists may, through organizations providing services to foreign nationals, hire Chinese citizens to assist them in their reporting activities.
(Slide)
Furthermore, based upon the Olympic practice and the actual needs of the media, the Chinese government has also made efforts by adopting specific policies and streamlining procedures in various areas in order to provide better working conditions for the media.
These specific policies and procedures cover the sectors including:
Work Permit and Resident Permit
Filming at Historical and Cultural Sites
Interviewing Chinese Athletes
Reporting Public Emergency
Lease of Housing and Offices
Temporarily Import of Motor Vehicles
Temporary Driving License
Taxation
Insurance Purchase
Short-term Bank Account
Policy on Retail of foreign newspapers and periodicals
Foreign Satellite TV Programs
Policy on Internet Access
(Slide)
Based upon the regulations on news coverage by foreign media during the Beijing Olympics, as well as the preferential policies mapped by the Chinese government for the Games, an "International Media Service Guide " is being compiled by BOCOG.
The guide will provide detailed information and guidance on the implementation of policies and procedures on various issues in relation to the media coverage of the 2008 Games.
(Slide)
“One-stop” services
From July 1st 2007, “One-stop” services come into work in the Beijing Olympic Media Center, it aims to providing all necessary administrative permits and licenses as well as services by relevant Chinese governmental departments and to assist the international media in solving problems in the coverage during the Games and the preparation period.
(Slide)
Ladies and gentlemen, as the main contact point for accredited media, we, the BOCOG Media Operations Department, is committed to providing best services and working conditions to all the accredited media covering the Beijing Games in accordance with Olympic practice and IOC requirements.
In the coming years, we will as always try our utmost to offer quality and convenient services to foreign media and provide perfect media operations before and during the Games.
(Slide)
Thank you.
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