Korean TV network SBS has seriously dampen its global reputation for leaking footage of a rehearsal for next Friday’s opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympics.
From what I understand… global media is now allowed to move freely in some venues to familiarise with the environment and to test their equipments, but the crews are required to sign confidentiality agreements to not reveal any specific details about the ceremony.
The Beijing Olympics organizing committee and the International Olympic Committee have both expressed their disappointment over the breach of rules, but didn’t mention anything about sanctioning SBS from the Beijing Games. It’s generally believed that SBS will walk away with a warning.
Chinese press and netizens are mostly unhappy about the leak, saying that it was spoiling the secrecy and excitement of the show. There are minor voices though, that there is no big deal with the issue and resembling it to movie teasers which could raise more interest for the opening ceremony.
KBS and MBC, other two Korean TV networks that share the Olympic broadcast rights with SBS, have both criticised SBS for their act. Western media is standing neutral on this matter though; with some opportunistic tabloids taking chances to leak ‘the leaked footage’.
Update – SBS have apologised to IOC and Beijing officials two days after the incident. They are barred from covering the opening show as punishment. [via Coolsmurf]
its funny how some papers are saying that sbs is bad but still share those photocuts.. thats total cowardness. at least sbs has the guts to break the rules.
kyon… true that. A local Chinese new paper here is throwing huge headline on SBS breaching media’s code of ethics, and yet they shared a page full of pages and stories about the leaked info. Such irony.
anyone know where the footage could be found? lol.
Most videos are already taken down. There are a few that are still circulating, but I’ll rather not share… try your luck searching online :p
since the footage is already leaked and circulated world-wide, chinese people have the rights to know what is actually leaked, therefore local newspapers reports it. if you think about it its no irony at all is it. also not only the chinese are criticizing sbs but also other 2 official korean media as well, chinese people are generally pissed cuz it showed a lack of respect from sbs , especially when there is a national effort to welcome foreigners for the Game
kyon// guts to break the rules?? are you kidding me?? think about thousands of people working their asses off for that one moment. SBS totally ruined their efforts and also ruined viewers’ experience as well – it’s like watching a spoiler.
SBS can go to hell. what an embarrassment. ban that freaking channel from ever broadcasting any world-wide event. what a freaking embarrassment.
kyon & Yein Jee
I seriously doubt your intelligence.
Tedina… where did I say that SBS is not wrong? Me and kyon were saying that some of the other press were just as wrong as SBS… they are leaking the footage just like SBS, and why are they not criticised for that?
SBS were robbing, and the other press were sharing the stolen footage, is that not wrong?
If you think that all other press that spread the video had done nothing wrong… fine, I accept that my intelligent is questionable. Else, think twice before criticising others next time.
what a shame