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Transcript/ScriptCHINA OLYMPICS JOURNALIST PRECAUTIONS
HEADLINE: Journalists Use Burner Phones to Protect Privacy at Beijing Olympics
TEASER: China has a long record of surveilling and restricting journalists in the country
PUBLISHED AT: Thursday, 02/03/2022 at 8:45 am
BYLINE: William Gallo
DATELINE: Seoul, South Korea
VIDEOGRAPHER:
PRODUCER: Jon Spier
SCRIPT EDITORS: Salem Solomon, Steve Hirsch
VIDEO SOURCES: News Agencies, Skype
PLATFORMS: WEB __ TV X RADIO __
TRT: 2:20
VID APPROVED BY: BR
TYPE: TVPKG
UPDATE:))
((INTRO))
[[Many foreign journalists at the Beijing Olympics tell VOA they have brought “burner” devices, such as phones and laptops completely wiped of personal data, to protect their digital privacy. As VOA’s Bill Gallo reports, that is because China has a long record of surveilling and restricting journalists.]]
((NARRATOR))
For reporters at the Winter Olympics, this is as much of China as they’ll see. In a bubble, sealed from the rest of Beijing.
COVID-19 policies aren’t the only challenge. Another is digital privacy and journalists are taking extraordinary steps to protect it.
((James Griffiths, Asia Correspondent for The Globe and Mail)) ((Male voice, In English)) ((Mandatory cg: Skype))
“I set up a burner computer, which is what we’re talking on right now. I have a burner phone. I even have a burner iPad with me just to be sure so none of my usual identities are on that. Most of my accounts aren’t logged into while I’m here.”
((NARRATOR))
It’s the cost of reporting in China, one of the world’s most hostile countries for journalists.
((James Griffiths, Asia Correspondent for The Globe and Mail)) ((Male voice, In English)) ((Mandatory cg: Skype))
“This is a very surveilled country and it’s run by a government that’s known to do a lot of state-sponsored hacking and gathering massive amounts of personal data, both internally and allegedly externally.”
((NARRATOR))
This week, the Foreign Correspondents’ Club of China warned media freedom is declining at “breakneck speed.” It cited growing threats of legal action and state-backed attacks against foreign journalists.
So far, those reporting from the Olympics bubble have reported no problems, even if they have limited mobility.
((Donna Spencer, Sports Reporter for The Canadian Press)) ((Female voice, In English)) ((Mandatory cg: Skype))
“We can operate as reporters in the closed loop without restrictions, but the restrictions inherent in the closed loop prevent us from doing the kind of reporting that someone who is a foreign correspondent here would do a year around.”
((NARRATOR))
It’s a necessary tradeoff, says Australian journalist Eryk Bagshaw.
((Eryk Bagshaw, North Asia correspondent for The Sydney Morning Herald)) ((Male voice, In English)) ((Mandatory cg: Skype))
“Essentially you’re submitting yourself to such total surveillance that there’s almost freedom in that. There’s cameras absolutely everywhere that you’re not looking over your shoulder wondering if you’re being tailed because you’re speaking to a Chinese dissident.”
((NARRATOR))
But even this kind of reporting has its challenges.
During our interview, Bagshaw was interrupted by authorities reminding him of a required COVID test.
((Eryk Bagshaw, North Asia correspondent for The Sydney Morning Herald)) ((Male voice, In English)) ((Mandatory cg: Skype))
“I just need to finish this video interview and then I’ll come down. I’ll be there in 10 minutes if that’s OK. Thank you very much. Bye… ((white flash cut)) ...there you go. Right on it.”
((NARRATOR))
Just another challenge of reporting during a pandemic in China.
Bill Gallo. VOA News. Seoul, South Korea
NewsML Media TopicsSport, Arts, Culture, Entertainment and Media
Topic TagsJournalists Use Burner Phones to Protect Privacy at Beijing Olympics
NetworkVOA
Embargo DateFebruary 3, 2022 17:15 EST
BylineWilliam Gallo
Brand / Language ServiceVoice of America - English
