Journalists Banned From Using Smartphones At 2014 Sochi Olympics? 114
First time accepted submitter SlongNY writes in with a story that journalists may be banned from taking photos or videos with smartphones at the 2014 Olympics. "'Journalists using mobile phones to film athletes or spectators will be considered a serious violation and will result in cancellation of accreditation,' said Vasily Konov, head of the state-run R-Sport news agency, which controls accreditation at the games. According to Buzzfeed, Mr. Konov later denied that he had said the ban was in place. Radio Free Europe, however, also reported him as saying the same thing."
Re: (Score:2)
Steve Mann should not go to Sochi.
How is this a surprise? (Score:5, Informative)
The Olympic Committee has been pushing for YEARS that they be the sole source of any information, media or other materials originating from the events. It's only a matter of time before they ban external reporters altogether and simply provide their own press releases throughout the days from their own staffers.
Re:How is this a surprise? (Score:4, Interesting)
Which makes no sense. Because accredited journalists are the ones paying to be allowed to report the information.
It's iPhone-Joe who needs to be banned under that logic.
Re:How is this a surprise? (Score:5, Funny)
Well, as long as they make taking photos with a tablet an offense punishable by death, carried out on the spot, I don't have a problem with the rule.
Re:How is this a surprise? (Score:4, Funny)
Why?
I crack up every time, it makes me think of $Preacher holding $Sacred_book to honor $Deity, but 21st-century shallow.
Re:How is this a surprise? (Score:5, Insightful)
The Olympic Committee has been pushing for YEARS that they be the sole source of any information, media or other materials originating from the events. It's only a matter of time before they ban external reporters altogether and simply provide their own press releases throughout the days from their own staffers.
Good. Let it collapse under that bullshit rule then.
Go ahead and start banning something that we struggle every four years to continue to justify from every perspective. The cities left behind in the aftermath of hosting an Olympics would certainly agree. It's far from the financial whirlwind everyone wants to believe it is.
And the only thing I'm going to be surprised over with these games is if Sochi somehow doesn't turn it into a complete clusterfuck. Between their logistical planning to the anti-gay sentiment being broadcast over these games as if it were Nazi Germany again, I don't hold much hope for success.
Re: (Score:1)
Good. Let it collapse under that bullshit rule then.
*deep, annoyed sigh* Yes, yes, I'm certain THIS will DEFINITELY be the straw that breaks the IOCC. All the other backwards, selfish decisions they made in the past couldn't do it, but this one so certainly will. *eye roll* Come, my brothers, and prepare for the bonfire of the IOCC, as they finally die in our lifetimes, because we're more specialer than all those other people who got screwed by them in the past. *slow clap*
Re: (Score:2)
The Olympic Committee has been pushing for YEARS that they be the sole source of any information, media or other materials originating from the events. It's only a matter of time before they ban external reporters altogether and simply provide their own press releases throughout the days from their own staffers.
Good. Let it collapse under that bullshit rule then.
Go ahead and start banning something that we struggle every four years to continue to justify from every perspective. The cities left behind in the aftermath of hosting an Olympics would certainly agree. It's far from the financial whirlwind everyone wants to believe it is.
And the only thing I'm going to be surprised over with these games is if Sochi somehow doesn't turn it into a complete clusterfuck. Between their logistical planning to the anti-gay sentiment being broadcast over these games as if it were Nazi Germany again, I don't hold much hope for success.
Don't forget what global warming is doing to winters, too. I can easily see them trying to have their Olympics while Sochi is hitting 45-50F.
Re: (Score:2)
Yes and lets not forget the construction of these massive concrete venues, that don't see much post games use in many cases followed by millions of people jetting half way across the globe to attend is environmentally unconscionable.
I find it amazing the same ass holes who expect me to buy $10 light bulbs and support banning the conventional wood stove; are in most cases ardent supports of the disgustingly carbon intensive exercise that is the Olympic Games.
Re: (Score:1)
They do it because they get free tickets to EVERY event. Seriously, something like 20% of every event is reserved for the uber-people, who pay NOTHING for those tickets. And those tickets are the special prime seats, up front with the good view, and carefully cordoned off from the plebs.
Re: (Score:2)
Re: (Score:2)
Not a straw man and not a no true scottsman.
Its Obama's EPA that has done these things, and Obama clearly supports the games.
President Obama says no to a boycott of 2014 Sochi Olympics - Los ... ... ...
articles.latimes.com/.../la-sp-sn-president-obama-olympics-boycott-2013...âZ
Aug 9, 2013 - âoeWe fully support the comments today from President Obama rejecting calls to boycott the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games in Russia.
President Obama Supports Tax Exemption for Olympic Athletes
www.forbes.com/.../president-obama-supports-tax-exemption-for-olymp...âZ
Aug 6, 2012 - Olympics (Photo credit: ClaraDon) Even President Obama has Olympic fever, it seems. That's the only plausible explanation for the latest word
So there I can cite at least one example; no that a few moments of Goggling could not reveal at least 100's of others.
Re:How is this a surprise? (Score:4, Insightful)
Re: (Score:1)
It's far from the financial whirlwind everyone wants to believe it is.
Oh, it's a whirlwind alright. The big organizers, promoters and builders whirl in, scoop up all the money and whirl back out of town. Leaving the locals within some hundreds of kilometer radius holding out empty bags if not outright saddled with debt.
Re: (Score:2)
We're going to have to start using a new theme. In Olympic Russia, games report on journalists.
There's a difference (Score:4, Informative)
There's a difference between taking photos or video, and just posting text to social media. This sounds like a court type of thing, where cell phones are allowed but taking photos/video is not.
Follow the money (Score:4, Insightful)
If independent footage comes out, R-sport doesn't get paid for it. Gotta have that cash.
Re:Follow the money (Score:5, Insightful)
Exactly: the olympics is, to a large extent, about money in one way or another. I sometimes think that the IOC would quickly ditch the athletes if they could find a way of having the games without them.
Comment removed (Score:5, Insightful)
Re: (Score:3)
Create Olympics. Sell tickets. Create a stadium so large that even the closest spectator can't see shit without the help of a screen.
Make everything CGI so that there are no athletes required.
Re: (Score:2)
Then tie a bunch of balloons to the stadium and float it over to the next venue... it'll save a fortune in building costs!
ziss iss NOT permitted... (Score:1)
which could otherwise be stated as "if we can't intercept it first, no way." there is a strong tradition of, ahhhh, shaping the truth before, during, and after in Russia.
Re: (Score:2)
in this particular instance, the policy maybe pushed by the Olympic committee to better sell ad-time.
testing the waters? (Score:2)
Seems like they might be seeing what they can get away with on the international stage before the official rules come into public scrutiny.
Article Subject is WRONG (Score:1)
This has nothing to do specifically with smartphones... they aren't allowing any "non-professional" media recording devices for the media. They obviously can still tweet/text/call at the events. It's the same as telling your fast food employees not to take pictures of customers food in the back with their cell phones. If they pull put a professional camera it looks better and nobody would complain. This isn't news, move along...
Re:Article Subject is WRONG (Score:5, Interesting)
This has nothing to do specifically with smartphones... they aren't allowing any "non-professional" media recording devices for the media. They obviously can still tweet/text/call at the events. It's the same as telling your fast food employees not to take pictures of customers food in the back with their cell phones. If they pull put a professional camera it looks better and nobody would complain. This isn't news, move along...
There is everything wrong with this. With recording as with all things, handsome is as handsome does. I have a photojournalist friend, recently returned from Afghanistan, whose primary camera is a little Canon point-and-shoot. You could scoff and talk about Good Enough, except that he's used a similar camera to provide a nice two page spread in Vanity Fair. Yes, he also walks around with a vintage Leica pano camera and a few other bits of exotic kit as well, but when it comes to getting shots, sometimes the best camera is the one you have in your hand.
Re: (Score:3)
Re: (Score:2)
You'd be surprised how few people actually give a shit about the Olympics anymore
Re: (Score:2)
You're right. They are held every other year. Summer Olympics were just last year, so if the GP had seen them, it would have been within the "years" timeframe.
NBC wants it taped delayed covage to have good rat (Score:4, Insightful)
NBC wants it taped delayed covage to have good ratings
Re: (Score:2)
I have a solution to that... How about you do the event in a time zone closer to the audience with the most money? There are plenty of south American countries who would love to host the games.
On a serious note... If NBC wants exclusive coverage, they are going to have to outlaw all cameras and electronic devices except by credential reporters who have singed an NDA while strip searching the spectators to make sure nobody gets one in. Cell phone jammers might be a good idea too.
Re: (Score:3)
...except by credential reporters who have singed an NDA while strip searching the spectators...
Altogether now, key of E flat, ... "Proust in his first book wrote about wrote about, Proust in his first book wrote about...".
Re: (Score:2)
You get your wish: Rio is hosting the next summer games.
(I'm not entirely sure there's any city in South America large, snowy and mountainous enough to be suited to host the winter games... they mostly seem to be too warm or too flat. Santiago, Chile seems like the only one that might qualify.)
Re: (Score:2)
You get your wish: Rio is hosting the next summer games.
Let's see how they handle the world cup before we leap for joy at them having the Olympics. It's not a foregone conclusion that the cup will run anything near smoothly.
they mostly seem to be too warm or too flat.
Well, what with global climate change, the winter Olympics are going to have to add a whole bunch of snow-free sports if they are going to continue anyway. That's a boon to all those already hot countries -- they can now bid for the winter games, and snowbound ones like Antarctica can host the summer ones.
Re: (Score:1)
Or maybe NBC shouldn't spoil the results of the tape-delayed event that they're promoting.
Re: (Score:2)
And have lots of commercials! IIRC, BBC and others didn't have them?
The Olympics Trump All World Governments. (Score:5, Insightful)
Local customs and laws, charters, and regulations are ignored or flouted without so much as a "Sorry," and the great armies of renta-cops rule the roost.
Re:The Olympics Trump All World Governments. (Score:5, Insightful)
Yeah it sucks that only McDonalds can sell fast food on the Olympics venue, but can you really blame them for kicking out Joe the hot dog stand vendor? They paid the IOC huge bucks to become the official exclusive food sponsor. The IOC makes every right it sells exclusive if they can, because it makes a bidding war where they can extract the most money possible from the corporate sponsors. If you want to stop it, you need to put a leash on the IOC. Don't give them rights that infringe on the rights of pre-existing businesses. But cities are so desperate to host the Olympics they'll service the IOC like a $2 whore and and give the IOC anything it asks for.
When Pierre de Coubertin came up with the idea of the modern Olympics, he prohibited professional athletes because he didn't want money to get in the way of a competition where each individual was simply trying to do his/her best. Unfortunately he didn't foresee that the athletes weren't the only ones who could be corrupted by money.
Re: (Score:2)
Olympic Committee (IOC) > Olympic Corporation, which is by law above the law(it's stupid but thats the way it is).
the only way to fight it is to ignore it. ignore the problem for long enough and it goes away, because it's a publicity driven event. don't even know who the sponsors are...
Re: (Score:3, Insightful)
Yeah it sucks that only McDonalds can sell fast food on the Olympics venue, but can you really blame them for kicking out Joe the hot dog stand vendor? They paid the IOC huge bucks to become the official exclusive food sponsor.
That seems like asking whether we can really blame the RIAA for pursuing massive infringement penalties; after all, they paid Congress huge bucks to write the ridiculous laws.
Yes, you can blame McDonald's, and the RIAA, and Congress, and the IOC. They are all despots abusing power to
Re: (Score:1)
I still have a couple of Sanyo monitors from the 2010 Vancouver games with all trademarking obliterated by black sticky labels (almost impossible to remove, not that anyone but Sanyo would care). I saw the Trademark police sheds near the main sites where enforcers would go out and cover up things like the Crane trademark on stadium urinals/toilets and other ridiculous "infringements". Nothing surprises me about the Olympics juggernaut coming to town!
no free pass for Russia shill/rat (Score:1)
I love how your first statement established your credentials...then you drop the turd quoted above on us unsuspecting readers...
You're giving Russia a free pass...they could change this rule (and pretty much any rule) easily...
Russia sends punk rock activists to Siberia for 5 years, steals NFL team owner Super Bowl rings, bribes anyone in the world they nee
Re: (Score:2)
Re:Bash the Russians. (Score:5, Funny)
Was that your homework assignment for a rhetoric class or do you actually go around talking like that while people quietly wish you would go somewhere else?
Re: (Score:2)
Quietly wish he would go away? I actively sneeze at them and pretend I couldn't get my hand in front of my mouth fast enough...
Re: (Score:2)
Americans? Olympics have been a propaganda event at least since 1936.
If you like sports, practice them, with the least amount of money involved, preferably. All the rest is fluff.
Ought to be a real party (Score:5, Funny)
Oh yeah baby! (Score:3, Insightful)
It's the host country's responsibility to ensure the billions of dollars in exclusivity rights' value is not diluted via unauhorized production.
Witness UK's 00 agents neck-snapping unauthorized shop owners within 200 miles of London who put "Enjoy the Olympics!" signs in their windows.
This is, after all, a private, commercial enterprise.
Re: (Score:2)
The only better nexus of "stuff people love to hate" would be the Olympics(tm, and don't you forget it!!) in the USA.
Money (Score:5, Interesting)
This is about money and without money the Olympics will not survive.
Look at it this way, the hosting country is signing on for the following:
1. Massive infrastructure build.
2. Massive security costs. Thanks PLO and others.
3. Massive costs for accommodations and food.
4. Massive costs for transportation.
Add all that together and then realize that it all has to be recouped within the few weeks of the Olympics. It is easy to see why the IOC is very watchful of people infringing on their income streams. If you want the Olympics to continue the broadcast rights need to be worth paying for.
Re: (Score:2)
Been to Barcelona recently and seen what has become of the Olympic stadium? That's what is happening to London. That's what will happen again. IOC couldn't give a fuck so long as they get their billions.
Re: (Score:2)
IOC couldn't give a fuck so long as they get their billions
Which they then spend on the next Olympics.
Re: (Score:2)
IOC couldn't give a fuck so long as they get their billions
Which they then spend on the next Olympics.
Isn't that what the host city is for? I don't think the IOC actually spends any
money on the games themselves, on the contrary: It's their main cash source.
Re:Money (Score:5, Insightful)
At most the host city will benefit from some upgraded infrastructure, probably long overdue, but very rarely will the host come close to recouping the cost they have put in, and a lot of the money goes to waste, meaning that if they had spend the money purely on improving their citizens live, it would have gone much further. Supporters counter this by saying that the host will get more back in the long term from business promotion and tourism, but this claim is dubious at best, but being a very hard thing to quantify it's also impossible to refute, but considering it's mostly held in cities that are already some of the most popular tourist destination and business hubs, it's hard to see what real difference is being made.
At the end of the day, the Olympics have very successfully branded themselves as a must have event, however the only ones who really benefits are the sponsors who gets a venue where a country's normal safeguards and laws are completely nullifies, the politicians who get to stand on the grandest stage of all and proclaim how awesome they are and the of course the members of IOC who gets to take home fat bribes.
Again, fuck the Olympics. The great white elephant of the modern age.
Re: (Score:3)
More like the Olympics are the "Must Avoid" event.
All the hype over nothing, all the commercialism and greed suck.
Re: (Score:1)
Re: (Score:2)
As a Londoner, I'm proud to know that some poor sap had to use a black marker pen to cover over the manufacturer's (tiny) logo on every one of the 70,000 'pixels' they put in the seating in the main stadium. I'm proud that no visitor to the Olympics was tarnished by seeing the name of a company who wasn't a sponsor, even though there was no "official pixel provider" at the games.
Re: (Score:2)
Let's be clear about one thing: all the things that you list are things that the poor sods in the host country pay for, up front. The IOC does not pay for these things, The only people who ever really win are the IOC mem
Only smartphones are banned, not pro gear (Score:4, Informative)
TFA states that journalists can still use proper photography gear. This is likely to expand the loop between shooting and publishing so it can go through channels, which is kinda censorship-ish and creepy.
Although, this quote then makes absolutely no sense:
"Organizers won't be able to have any effect on normal spectators, but supporters will be banned from bringing reflex cameras and nonprofessional equipment to the competitions," Konov added.
"Reflex" cameras, as he calls them, are DSLRs (Digital Single Lens REFLEX), which *are* professional equipment, so methinks he doesn't know what he's talking about.
Assuming he got his jargon wrong and DSLRs are allowed, I do like the unintended consequence of increasing the overall artistic and technical quality of the photography. Smartphone cameras are shit.
Re: (Score:2)
What's even more stupid is DSLRs have built in wireless now. Unless they ban tablets, smartphones, and oh, computers, they're totally fscked. How silly. But totalitarians usually are.
Re: (Score:3)
Well, at the London Olympics they had cat^H^H^H wireless detectors to find people with personal hotspots - they had signs up at the entrances saying they were prohibited. I think it's because they'd conned a shit load of money from BT as the official telecoms sponsor. If they'd been allowed to set up mobile jammers, I'm sure they would have.. Seeing as this one is in Russia, it'll be interesting to see if the IOC and organisers to go more draconian.
Re: (Score:3)
"Organizers won't be able to have any effect on normal spectators, but supporters will be banned from bringing reflex cameras and nonprofessional equipment to the competitions," Konov added.
"Reflex" cameras, as he calls them, are DSLRs (Digital Single Lens REFLEX), which *are* professional equipment, so methinks he doesn't know what he's talking about.
I suspect that you are seeing a bad translation of what he actually did say. Remember, he's almost certainly speaking Russian. The Washington Times article was in English.
"Reflex" applies to more than DSLR, you know, and there are a lot of SLR cameras that are hardly professional grade equipment. It's your claim that "reflex *are* professional" that is questionable. But even so, the statement was translated as "reflex cameras and non-professional equipment", so your statement is not in any way contradicte
Re: (Score:2)
pro gear blocked too (Score:3)
Weird Nation (Score:2)
Russia's probably worried that gay people will use their smartphones to hook up with all the gay Russian athletes.
It's kind of interesting to see such a large and relatively modern society lose it's collective mind over gay people.
Re: (Score:2)
It's kind of interesting to see such a large and relatively modern society lose it's collective mind over gay people.
It's just another incident which maintains my faith in humanity... poor faith, perhaps, but faith nonetheless. I have faith that when things get difficult, people will look for anywhere to point a finger except at themselves.
Carpet bomb them (Score:1)
Problem solved. The entire event is a pointless waste of resources anyway.
The Olympics are merely a large circus. (Score:2)
I care as little about the coverage as I care about "reality TV".
It's a giant expensive distraction for the sheeple and best ignored.
Fuck the olympics (Score:2)
Seriously, these people are so full of themselves.
Eh. I'm boycotting Sochi anyway (Score:3)
Wake me up when someplace civilized is hosting.
Eye-Fi (Score:1)
Who cares? (Score:1)
Athletes and helpers are blocked too (Score:2)
evidence lockup (Score:1)
IOC and Russia (Score:1)
In Soviet Russia, games watch you!
Olympics Committee a tragically sad joke (Score:1)
I have not watched the games since I was ~15. That's 25 years of no-olympics for me. To me this means one thing: They are totally failing.
At this point I am so detached from the whole thing that I no longer care about it.