Olympic organisers to charge journalists for internet access

Organisers of the 2012 Olympic Games have recently stated that they will be handing out bills to journalists who intend to cover the event.

It has been revealed in recent reports that the organisers of the Olympic Games are going to be handing out bills to journalists who attend to cover the event, as they are planning to make as much money as possible from the availability and provision of internet access.

Around ten thousand accredited journalists are expected to attend the event, and for two weeks internet access organisers will be handing them bills for one hundred and fifty pounds each. There will also be similar bills for internet access given to those covering the Paralympics.

Organisers want to make at least one and a half million pounds from providing and charging for internet access for journalists at the event, which is set to take place in less than two years time. The amount being charged is said to be many times the amount that their telecoms suppliers normally charge for broadband access for three months according to reports.

The organisers of the event said: “While some major events have indeed opted for free access we feel that this service, at an event the sheer scale of the Summer Olympic Games, is comprehensive, inclusive of many services not provided at such events and set at a price that is reasonable and non-profit making for LOCOG. There are many investments made by LOCOG and its suppliers, not least the extensive cabling mentioned above, to ensure this very important service.”

Source – Sports Journalists