Beijing promises open media environment for Olympics

BEIJING, June 21 (Reuters) - This summer's Beijing Olympics will offer a "zero refusal policy" for media interview requests, state media said on Saturday, as China tries to deflect criticism about its press controls in the run-up to the Games.

Organisers promised complete media freedom when they bid to host the Games, and while the reporting environment has improved for foreign journalists, the country has not relaxed its grip over domestic reporters, a policy criticised by rights groups.

"BOCOG will apply a zero refusal policy for interview requests, which means that all requests for interviews will be replied to," the China Daily quoted Liu Qi, president of the Beijing Organising Committee for the Olympic Games, as saying.