Media Freedom in China Here to Stay?

Now that the world’s focus has faded from China, the country will revert to shutting out the media, right? Possibly not.

Jiang Yu, a spokeswoman for the
Foreign Ministry, said that her country would consider keeping in place rules that allow foreign journalists increased access to the country. “I think when the time comes [the laws expire on October 17], we will tell everyone what the arrangement will be,” she explained. “But I want to reiterate to everyone that the spirit of opening up will continue.”

The fact that the increased freedom would remain after the Olympics has been a possibility for some time. But just how long, you ask?

In December ’07, ministry spokesman Qing Gan said “China’s opening-up will be continuously pressing ahead. The door has been opened already. It will never be closed again.”

Given that China viewed the Beijing Games as something of a coming out party, it will be interesting to see how this story plays itself out. Perhaps soon the Beijing Deadspin Bureau can unmask itself.

Create a social media strategy, launch your campaign, and track the results in our Social Media Marketing Boot Camp starting February 16. The online event and workshop will feature speakers including The Onion‘s Baratunde Thurston (left), Facebook’s Morin Oluwole, and bitly’s Tim Devane. Register now.