In reaction to a good deal of bad press about censorship of unrest in Tibet, China is promising not only to refrain from blocking the Internet to the media, but will not delay the live feed of the games and will allow shots of Tiananmen Square to be broadcast.

Previously, China had claimed it would delay shots and more recently said it would not allow Tiananmen Square to be shown, but has now apparently changed its mind about the censorship.

China has also opened up the English version of Wikipedia to Chinese Internet users. The Chinese language version of the site is still blocked, but English speaking Chinese, as well as the foreign press, will have access to the site.

Every few days, it seems like the goalposts are being moved in the amount of censorship China is going to attempt to in the upcoming Beijing Olympics. The question they have to ask themselves is what is more damaging: the truth or the appearance of trying to hide something. Obviously, the most important group for them to impress is Chinese citizens themselves. If a foreign presence shines too bright a light on China, it may cause many Chinese, who, for example, believe strongly in their government’s actions in Tibet, that there are other ways of looking at the world.

The fact that China has backed away from the tape delay is fairly significant as well. The Marathon will be starting in Tiananmen Square, and if it’s allowed to be shown, without a tape delay, ambitious protesters could potentially create a ruckus.

Also, is China showing their hand? If those who would protest know that for as long as the Olympics are in town there will not be significant Internet blockages, might they go all-out in an attempt to expose certain elements of China to the world?

It’s going to be fascinating, and the games themselves are looking increasingly likely to take a back seat to the political posturing.

Thanks to PC World for some of the info.

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