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Olympic civil liberties suppression

Vancouver Olympics: Part 2 – Civil Liberties & The Deal with the Devil_LONG

From: Adam Vaughn
Series: 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics
Length: 06:11

A look at how the British Colombian government has enacted Olympic-related legislation to quell protest and dissension. Critics claim these new bylaws violate their civil liberties and the Canadian Charter of Rights. Read the full description.

Piece Audio

Playing: Vancouver Olympics: Part 2 – Civil Liberties & ...
From: Adam Vaughn

Ubc_olympics_censorship_small  This is Part 2 of a 3-part series produced by Adam Vaughn that examines the disruption caused by the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympic Games. This piece focuses on the fight over what many Olympic critics have called a draconian violation of civil liberties. Shortly after Vancouver was awarded the Games, the British Columbian government passed a group of Olympic-related bylaws. These bylaws are intended to ensure that the estimated 3 billion viewers only see a modern and vibrant Vancouver. Additionally, the International Olympic Committee (or IOC) mandated these changes to law. Every host city must contractually agree to these changes. But protestors claim neither the IOC nor the BC government has the right to pass any law that violates the Canadian Charter of Rights (much like the US Constitution).

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Piece Description

This is Part 2 of a 3-part series produced by Adam Vaughn that examines the disruption caused by the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympic Games. This piece focuses on the fight over what many Olympic critics have called a draconian violation of civil liberties. Shortly after Vancouver was awarded the Games, the British Columbian government passed a group of Olympic-related bylaws. These bylaws are intended to ensure that the estimated 3 billion viewers only see a modern and vibrant Vancouver. Additionally, the International Olympic Committee (or IOC) mandated these changes to law. Every host city must contractually agree to these changes. But protestors claim neither the IOC nor the BC government has the right to pass any law that violates the Canadian Charter of Rights (much like the US Constitution).

Broadcast History

KBCS - 2/4/10. Will air on Free Speech Radio News - 2/19/10

Transcript

One of the oldest sporting events, known for spirited international athletic competition, has recently been described as anything but:

ACT 1: Chris Shaw (00:05)
“The Olympic Games are morally bankrupt.”

Chris Shaw is a professor at the University of British Columbia and part of the Olympic Resistance Network. Shaw decided to protest the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics when he learned that the International Olympic Committee (or IOC) mandates that a host country make changes to local law.

ACT 2: Chris Shaw (00:20)
“The IOC comes into your town and they basically start dictating what you are going to do for the next several years in terms of social policy. You will do the following things: you will change your civil liberties, you will change your financial structures, you will change all those things for their benefit. And supporting the Games is supporting this bankrupt morally in...
Read the full transcript

Timing and Cues

This piece is 6 min 10 sec.

Intro and Outro

INTRO:

The Winter Olympics are under way in British Columbia, Canada and one group hopes to reveal significant civil liberties issues behind the winter games. Protesters with the Olympic Resistance Network point to a number of new laws enacted just for the Olympics that violate civil liberties. In fact, critics say, the International Olympic Committee mandates a host city must pass these laws to protect sponsors and the image of the Games. And protesters fear they will be silenced from showing the public what they see as the true nature of the Olympics.

OUTRO:

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Production Information

Added to PRX ~3 years ago
Produced: Feb 04, 2010
Producers: Adam J. Vaughn

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