• Not Watching the Beijing Olympics

    June 6, 2008

    I just signed a pledge tonight, joining others that I would not watch the Opening Ceremony (or for that matter, any of the events) of the 2008 Bejing Olympic.

    The purpose of Not Watching Campaign is not about the Olympics or the people of China.

    This campaign is to protest against the human rights violations in Tibet by the Communist Government of China and their continuing economic support for the Janjaweed militias in Darfur and the military junta in Burma.

    We want to get the attention of the Communist Government of China and let them know that they cannot turn their backs on the human rights responsibilities a civilized nation should have and still enjoy the financial benefits of the civilized world.

    We are NOT watching the Beijing Olympics Opening Ceremony

    on which China is spending millions of dollars to showcase the world

    an event the sponsors and advertisers paid billions of dollars for advertising space!

    The Opening Ceremony is one of the largest television events in the World and advertisers around the globe pay huge fees to have their ads screened on networks that have also paid huge fees to screen the games. So, by switching off, if they can get thousands, hundreds of thousands of people to not watch - it sends a clear message, hurting the advertisers, networks and sponsors that we’re not happy they have partnered with the Chinese Communist Government.

    Go here to sign up, or go here to see the list of signatories so far, why not add your own to this pledge?

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    • Recent Comments

    • Alan Law said...

      1

      I noticed ur comment on Brian Heasley’s blog, so I thought I would drop by and say hello.
      Not sure about the Not Watching Campaign, the Olympics is a sporting occasion, it remains unclear why athletes should be expected to provide a solution for the world’s human rights atrocities, it’s a political problem which requires a political solution.
      How many items in our shops, our homes are produced in China? What about goods and services produced or manufactured in our own countries which are exported to China?
      There are better ways, afterall the TV rights have been bought and paid for by the TV companies using advertising revenue bought and paid for by the goods we purchase.

      06/8/08 12:17 AM | Comment Link

    • Niall said...

      2

      Thanks for dropping by Alan - made my morning! I love reading Brian’s blog - I wrote on an earlier post that I relate to what he is going through in some aspects. So thanks for dropping by - hope you can become a regular.

      Your comment about the boycott are true - however, I think that it is not the athletes who are the stars on the Opening Night of the Games. It is the Host Country. How often do we talk about the LA Opening Games etc. And by having low numbers watching, it sends a message to the networks that it’s coverage is not received well - this will in turn affect the advertising and ultimately what appears on the shelves. I admit that it is a long way from protesting and being a visible protest.

      I come from a marketing BG - and TV rating figures are valued like gold within the TV and advertising industries. It is the advertisers who stock these goods from China that are going to be affected by the boycott. My concern with this campaign that to be truly effective it needs VERY large numbers.

      But, I believe that this is one effort I can be part of, along with many other folk who feel somewhat powerless about the issues.

      Love to hear more of your thoughts!

      06/8/08 10:29 AM | Comment Link

    • Alan Law said...

      3

      Niall

      I will have to think about this, but I really doubt if I would boycott it (well atleast deliberately)…..remember Sydney now that was an opening ceremony……..anyway, I am going to add your blog to my blogroll and will drop by more often…..especially since I am hopefully moving to Adelaide from Ireland to study at Flinders!

      06/11/08 6:12 AM | Comment Link

    • Niall said...

      4

      Thanks for the Add Alan…. best of luck with the move - be sure to say hi when you do come to Oz. I have added your blog to my reader and list….

      06/11/08 4:48 PM | Comment Link

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