China censoring the CBC

The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation has formally complained to China’s ambassador to Canada about the blocking of the public broadcaster’s websites in China. In a letter sent April 4 to Chinese Ambassador Lu Shumin, CBC president Hubert T. Lacroix wrote, “I am writing to request that you make formal and immediate enquiries as to why the sites have been blocked, and that you take steps to ensure that this policy is reversed.” CBC is the official Canadian broadcaster of the 2008 Summer Olympic Games, in Beijing in August.

Noted Lacroix in his letter: ” I took note of the remarks of Premier Wen Jiabao when he promised, in April 2007, that in the spirit of One World, One Dream, “the government will provide services of an Olympic standard to athlete, officials, spectators and the media in order to facilitate their participation and enjoyment of the Games.  The freedom of foreign journalists in their news coverage will also be ensured.” “

A CBC.ca story is here.

Here is a pdf of the letter.