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There are problems with some of the broadcasters being told they can't use air shots during the cycling races because China doesn't want its air pollution highlighted in the international arena. With American broadcaster NBC paying in excess of US$800 million for the event, they could take a bath if advertising clients see the value of their spend being diluted by restrictions.

Also in the firing line is internet access, with access to some web sites being denied, even though Beijing promised when it won the rights to host the games back in 2001, no such restrictions would be in place for foreign media. Even more worryingly, it seems authorities have gone one step further by demanding hotels use a spyware program to monitor foreign guests' use of the web.

Chinese insiders are suggesting hardcore Communist party members are having undue influence over the internet issue, while others are suggesting the sites being blocked only cover pornography, excess violence and matters of state security.