Reporter dragged away by Chinese security live on air during Winter Olympics opening ceremony

Footage from Dutch broadcaster NOS shows the reporter being dragged away while a worried colleague back in the studio watches on

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A television reporter was manhandled and dragged away by Chinese security live on air while covering the opening ceremony of the Winter Olympics.

In an incident that compounded concerns about press freedom at the Games, Sjoerd den Daas was accosted by a black-clad official wearing a red armband during a broadcast outside Beijing’s Bird’s Nest stadium.

Footage from Dutch broadcaster NOS showed Den Hass being dragged away while a worried colleague he had been speaking to back in the company’s studio watched on.

“Our correspondent was pulled away from the camera by security guards at 12:00 pm live in the NOS Journaal,” NOS wrote on Twitter.

“Unfortunately, this is increasingly becoming a daily reality for journalists in China. He is fine and was able to finish his story a few minutes later.”

Sjoerd den Daas was accosted by a black-clad official wearing a red armband during a broadcast outside Beijing’s Bird’s Nest stadium
Sjoerd den Daas was accosted by a black-clad official wearing a red armband during a broadcast outside Beijing’s Bird’s Nest stadium Credit: NOS

The International Olympic Committee admitted the incident had been “unfortunate”.

“Obviously, we have been in touch with the NOS, the state broadcaster, and it was an unfortunate circumstance,” IOC spokesperson Mark Adams said. “I think someone was being overzealous. He [the reporter] was able to, very quickly afterwards with the help of officials there, do his piece to camera.”

An NOS spokesperson said. “Neither NOS management, nor the chief editors of News and Sport, our Olympic team leadership in Beijing, or our correspondent himself has spoken to anyone from the IOC about yesterday’s incident.”

Games participants, including media, have been restricted to a “closed loop” during Beijing 2022 – which includes the venues, the media centre and the accommodations – as part of China’s health measures to minimise the risk of a coronavirus outbreak.

Speaking to reporters, Adams added of Friday’s incident: “These things do happen and I think it’s a one-off. I hope it’s a one-off and we will assure you that within the closed loop you will be able to carry on your work.”

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