Internet Access to be Uncensored during Beijing Olympics

President Hu Jintao said Friday that internet access would not be censored during the Olympics. However, in case China doesn’t honor this pledge, the Global Internet Freedom Consortium (GIFC) is making software available to journalists and tourists in China that will circumvent any censorship.

"The IOC Coordination Commission and BOCOG met last night and agreed," [IOC vice-president Gunilla Lindberg] said, referring to Beijing's Olympic organizers. "Internet use will be just like in any Olympics."

EDIT 01: As of today, reporters have found that some sites are still blocked. Not only that, but there is some debate over whether the IOC actually made a deal with BOCOG regarding Internet censorship, as reported earlier this week. Man, the IOC just seems to love drama.

EDIT 02: Yahoo reports that some sites are still blocked.

A statement by Chinese officials indicated they had gone as far as they intend to go. "Yes, we promised to provide free access to the Internet — except for a few that would jeopardize our national security and would not be good for the healthy growth of our young people," said Wang Wei, executive vice president of BOCOG, the Olympic organizing committee.

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