A Dutch reporter in the middle of a live broadcast was dragged away by Chinese security officials during the Winter Olympic Games opening ceremony in Beijing yesterday evening.
Footage from Dutch public broadcaster NOS showed how several security officials surrounded him and one of them forcefully dragged him away as he was standing not far away from the Bird’s Nest stadium in the Chinese capital.
The broadcaster had to interrupt the link with the reporter, leaving the studio anchor back in the Netherlands confused.
Whilst on air, reporter Sjoerd den Daas was interrupted by a guard, who implored: «Brother please move forward».
Mr den Daas replied asking him to «please wait» as they were live. The guard responded: «Go, this place does not allow (you to stay), you really cannot stay here, move over there.»
Mr den Daas then said: «We’re getting dragged away here at the moment, as you see. We were also sent away from another spot just before, so I fear I’ll have to get back to you later on.»
The outlet later said on social media: «Our correspondent Sjoerd den Daas was pulled away from the camera by security guards at 12:00 live on the NOS News.
«Unfortunately, this is now the daily reality for 3 in China. He is fine and could fortunately finish his story a few minutes later.»
Games participants, including media, are restricted to a «closed loop» during the Games, which includes the venues, the media center and the accommodations.
All participants must remain in that loop for the entire duration of the Games as part of China’s health measures to minimise the risk of any coronavirus spread during the Games, which run until 20 February.
There have been concerns over whether visiting media will be allowed to freely do their job in China during the Games.
The International Olympic Committee has repeatedly assured them that the contract signed with the Chinese hosts would allow every participant, including athletes and media, to speak freely within the loop.
In a reaction to the event, the IOC today said that it was an isolated event and will not affect foreign media’s reporting at the Beijing Games.
«Obviously we have been in touch with the NOS, the state broadcaster, and spokesperson it was an unfortunate circumstance,» IOC Mark Adams said.
«I think someone was being over zealous. He (the reporter) was able to, very quickly afterwards with the help of officials there, do his piece to camera.»