Introduction
Rationale of the study
The Beijing Olympics 2008, held from August 8 to 24, marked a historic milestone in the Olympic Games, receiving widespread acclaim from the media Featuring 11,468 athletes from 204 countries and regions, the event showcased the largest number of female competitors in Olympic history, supported by approximately 100,000 Olympic volunteers, 400,000 city volunteers, and 1 million social volunteers.
The Beijing Olympics stands as the most-watched television event in U.S history, according to NBC Universal The event was extensively covered by over 220 television agencies and more than 25,000 journalists Additionally, the International Olympic Committee's website experienced a significant surge in traffic, recording 5 million clicks during the Beijing Games, compared to just 2.8 million clicks during the Athens Olympics.
The opening ceremony of the Beijing Games attracted over 80 heads of state and government, making it a historic event Approximately 80 percent of the Chinese population and around half of viewers in the United States and Europe tuned in to watch, setting a record for viewership Such widespread attention is rare for global events.
The closing ceremony of the Beijing Olympics garnered extensive attention from U.S media, with many outlets lauding the Games as the most unforgettable summer Olympics to date, often referring to it as "the most memorable Olympics ever."
In a piece titled "Truly exceptional Games," NBC said the Beijing Olympics made history
U.S media outlets, including the Los Angeles Times, commended the Chinese volunteers at the Beijing Games for their exceptional friendliness and efficiency, highlighting their significant contributions to the event's success.
The BBC (British Broadcasting Corporation) and CNN (Cable News Network) are the world's largest and most recognized broadcasters, particularly among English-speaking audiences The BBC operates in over 200 countries and reaches more than 274 million households globally, making it the oldest and most internationally known news organization In contrast, as of June 2008, CNN is available in over 93 million U.S households and boasts broadcast coverage extending to more than 890,000 locations.
American hotel rooms, and the U.S broadcast is also shown in Canada Globally, CNN programming airs through CNN International, which can be seen by viewers in over 212 countries and territories
In July 2008, BBC Online ranked as the 27th most popular English-language website globally and the 46th overall, while CNN.com has since emerged as one of the leading news websites worldwide.
Critical discourse analysis (CDA) serves as an interdisciplinary tool for studying language, attracting researchers from diverse backgrounds, including media criticism It enables a social perspective in cross-cultural media text analysis Unlike traditional discourse analysis, which focuses on understanding the socio-cultural aspects of texts, CDA emphasizes the production, internal structure, and overall organization of texts while incorporating a critical dimension in its theoretical and descriptive evaluations.
With all above reasons, the author has the temptation to carry out a study named: ―A Critical Discourse Analysis of CNN Online and BBC Online News on Beijing Olympics 2008‖.
Aims and objectives of the study
- Providing an analysis of CNN Online and BBC Online News on Beijing Olympics 2008 in the light of Critical Discourse Analysis;
- Giving an illustration of CDA approach;
- Raising language users as well as newspaper readers‘ awareness of the power and ideology of discourses.
Scope of the study
This article critically analyzes the online coverage of the 2008 Beijing Olympics by CNN and BBC News, focusing exclusively on their digital platforms rather than print or radio formats The study examines the content and presentation of the articles, paying particular attention to language use, including grammar aspects such as transitive and intransitive sentences, as well as active and passive voice Additionally, the research highlights the importance of cohesive devices like conjunctions, references, and transitivity in the articles' construction.
Methods of the study
In order to obtain the aims of the study, the following activities will be carried out:
In the first place, a literature review will be carried out to provide a theoretical background for the study
This article will analyze several BBC and CNN online articles regarding the Beijing Olympics through the lens of critical discourse analysis, employing both quantitative and qualitative research methods.
The analysis will be made in terms of the content and presentation Apart from that, vocabulary, syntactic structure and cohesion are also analyzed
From the analysis, a comparison between the news reported in the two newspapers will be interpreted and analyzed.
Design of the study
The thesis is divided into 4 chapters:
Chapter I is the Introduction which provides the rationale, the aims, the methods and the design of the study
Chapter II naming Theoretical background first gives an overview of Critical Discourse Analysis In this part, the history of CDA and some aspects such as critical, ideology and power are mentioned and analyzed Then, it deals with media discourse studies and systematic functional grammar
Chapter III is entitled A Critical Discourse Analysis of CNN Online and BBC Online News on Beijing Olympics 2008 This is the main focus of the thesis which provides and discusses the main findings of the study
Chapter IV is the Conclusion summarizing the main findings of the study, drawing important conclusions and offers suggestions for further research
Apart from these main parts, appendices and references are also included.
Theoretical background 2.1 Critical Discourse Analysis
What is Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA)?
Critical discourse analysis (CDA) investigates how social power, dominance, and inequality are expressed and challenged through language in social and political contexts This research approach is rooted in the critical theory of the Frankfurt School and emphasizes the need to understand and resist social inequality Emerging in the late 1970s, particularly through "critical linguistics" in the UK and Australia, CDA aligns with similar movements in sociolinguistics, psychology, and social sciences, serving as a response to the dominant formal paradigms of the 1960s and 1970s.
CDA is not so much a direction, school, or specialization next to the many other
"approaches" in discourse studies Rather, it aims to offer a different "mode" or
Theoretical perspectives in fields such as pragmatics, conversation analysis, narrative analysis, rhetoric, stylistics, sociolinguistics, ethnography, and media analysis offer critical insights that enhance our understanding and application of these disciplines.
Critical discourse analysts emphasize the importance of recognizing their societal role, challenging the notion of a "value-free" science They argue that scientific inquiry and scholarly discourse are intrinsically linked to social structures and shaped by social interactions Rather than overlooking the relationship between scholarship and society, they advocate for a thorough examination of these connections, urging that scholarly practices be informed by these insights Consequently, the formation of theories, descriptions, and explanations, particularly in discourse analysis, must be understood within a socio-political context.
The role of scholars in society and politics is integral to discourse analysis, emphasizing the importance of conducting research in solidarity with marginalized groups This reflection highlights the responsibility of discourse analysts to engage with and support those who are often dominated in societal conversations.
The history of CDA
In the late 1970s, Critical Linguistics (CL) was developed by a group of linguists and literary theorists at the University of East Anglia (Fowler et al., 1979; Kress & Hodge,
The approach utilized by practitioners of Critical Linguistics (CL) is grounded in Halliday's Systemic Functional Linguistics (SFL) Trew (1979a) emphasized the importance of "isolating ideology in discourse" to reveal how ideological processes are reflected through specific linguistic features This objective led to the enhancement of CL's analytical tools, as developed by Fowler and colleagues, which are rooted in the principles of SFL.
According to Halliday, CL practitioners recognize that language serves three interconnected functions: ideational, interpersonal, and textual The ideational function relates to how speakers experience and interpret the world and its phenomena, while the interpersonal function involves expressing speakers' attitudes and evaluations, fostering relationships between speakers and listeners (Fowler, 1991; Fairclough, 1995).
The textual function of language plays a crucial role in communication, enabling speakers to create texts that listeners can comprehend This function connects discourse to both the co-text and the context in which it takes place, facilitating effective understanding.
Halliday's perspective of language as a "social act" is fundamental to many practitioners of Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA), as noted by Chouliaraki and Fairclough (1999) and others Fowler et al (1979) emphasize that Critical Linguistics (CL), akin to sociolinguistics, highlights the significant links between linguistic structures and social structures However, unlike sociolinguistics, CL focuses more intently on the implications of these connections in understanding discourse.
Language and society are interconnected, prompting discussions about their relationship According to Fowler et al., language plays a crucial role in social processes, highlighting its integral nature within societal interactions.
Another central assumption of CDA and SFL is that speakers make choices regarding vocabulary and grammar, and that these choices are consciously or unconsciously
Language is a social act influenced by ideology, as choices made in communication are fundamentally based on ideological principles (Fowler et al., 1979) The relationship between form and content is significant; it is not random but rather indicative of deeper meanings, highlighting that the way we express ideas reflects their underlying significance (Fowler et al., 1979).
Over the years CL and what recently is more frequently referred to as CDA (Chouliaraki
Recent developments in Critical Linguistics (CL) have highlighted important concerns regarding earlier research, particularly the need to consider audience interpretations of discourse, which may differ from those of the analyst Additionally, there is a call to expand the analytical framework beyond textual analysis to include intertextual analysis, thereby enriching the understanding of discourse.
Fairclough (1995b) highlights a critical oversight in early Critical Linguistics (CL), noting that it largely neglected the "interpretive practices of audiences." He argues that CL has often assumed audiences interpret texts in the same way as analysts Similarly, Boyd-Barrett (1994), reflecting on Fowler (1991), points out a prevalent fallacy in the field: attributing specific interpretations or media effects to readers solely based on textual analysis.
Fairclough (1995b) highlights that while early contributions to Critical Linguistics (CL) provided detailed grammatical and lexical analyses, they lacked focus on the intertextual analysis of texts, often concentrating solely on clauses and neglecting the higher-level organization of entire texts He emphasizes that acknowledging these limitations does not diminish the accomplishments of critical linguistics, as they reflect shifts in focus and theoretical developments over the past two decades However, these shifts have not led to a unified theoretical framework for Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) According to Bell & Garret (1998), CDA should be seen as a shared perspective that includes various approaches rather than a singular school of thought Van Dijk (1998a) further notes that CDA lacks a specific research direction or unitary framework, yet he acknowledges that the common perspective and overarching goals of CDA allow for the existence of related conceptual and theoretical frameworks.
Critical, ideology and power
In order to have better knowledge of CDA as a new linguistic approach, some core notions, such as ―Critical‖, ―ideology‖ and ―power‖ should be mentioned
Fairclough defines "critical" as a means to reveal connections that may not be immediately apparent to individuals, particularly the relationships between language, power, and ideology.
Ruth Wodak defines "critical" as maintaining a distance from data while situating it within a social context, explicitly adopting a political stance, and emphasizing self-reflection among researchers.
Ideology is a highly debated concept, with Thompson defining it as the social forms and processes that facilitate the circulation of symbolic forms in society Thus, studying ideology involves examining how meaning is constructed and communicated through various symbolic forms.
According to Simpson, ideology is ―a mosaic of cultural assumptions, political beliefs and institutional practices
Kress (1990) emphasizes that a discourse is formed by a specific set of statements that express and are organized by a particular ideology Consequently, language is never isolated; it always represents a system of linguistic terms that reflect the dominant discursive and ideological frameworks.
For CDA, language is not powerful on its own – it gains power by the use powerful people make of it
Ruth Wodak emphasizes that power is fundamentally linked to social differences and structures Language plays a crucial role in this dynamic, as it not only reflects and expresses power but also becomes a tool for contesting and challenging it While power does not originate from language, the use of language can effectively subvert existing power dynamics and influence power distributions over time.
A review of media news discourse studies
The media's significant influence has led to extensive studies across various fields, including linguistics and discourse analysis Teun van Dijk has made notable contributions to media news discourse studies, particularly in his work "Structures of News in the Press," where he introduces an analytical framework for understanding news structures His focus is primarily on the global organization of news, examining thematic and schematic structures while overlooking sentence-level features like syntax and style, as well as graphical elements such as layout and nonverbal cues like photographs Consequently, van Dijk's analysis emphasizes macro phenomena rather than the micro-organization of news discourse and is limited to daily press news, excluding television and radio news.
Researchers analyze critical discourse in various newspapers regarding social issues across different languages For instance, Craig and Lee (1992) examine how US newspapers report on labor issues in South Korea and Poland, aiming to uncover the ideological framework of US international political reporting through textual analysis Their findings reveal that US mainstream newspapers tend to overlook the demands of strikers in South Korea, while prominently featuring breaking news about strikes related to the broader "crisis" of the Polish system on their front pages.
Other researchers examine the way different newspapers report about particular political, diplomatic or social issues of countries
Peter Teo's (2000) analysis of news reports concerning a Vietnamese gang in Australia highlights the violent and drug-related activities that have been prominently featured in The Sydney Morning Herald and The Daily Telegraph Utilizing Critical Discourse Analysis, the study first characterizes the newspaper discourse, revealing a systematic 'othering' and stereotyping of the Vietnamese community by the white majority A comparative analysis of the reports further uncovers a racist ideology evident in the power dynamics between ethnic law-breakers and white law-enforcers The study concludes by discussing how 'Racism in the News' not only reflects but also reinforces the marginalization of recent Vietnamese migrants in Australia.
Different from above researchers, some other researchers take a multi-perspective view by examining both international and domestic coverage of an event For instance, in the study
In "Intertextuality and National Identity: Discourse of National Conflicts in Daily Newspapers in the United States and China," Juan Li explores the impact of intertextuality on the formation of national identities within the press By analyzing two daily newspapers from the U.S and China, the study compares their discursive strategies in representing national identities during crises in U.S.-China relations Focusing on discourse, style, and genre—linked to representational, identificational, and actionable meanings (Fairclough, 2003)—the research highlights how news texts utilize various intertextual resources to shape perceptions of national identities It reveals that the interplay of these intertextual elements in specific contexts creates distinct understandings of national identities and stances.
Researchers are increasingly interested in analyzing the discourse of prominent figures, as exemplified by Nguyen Thi Thu Ha's 2004 study, "Critical Discourse Analysis of President Bush's Ultimatum to President Saddam Hussein." This study explores the underlying power dynamics and ideologies present in President Bush's ultimatum, focusing on text description and the interplay between discourse processes and social contexts.
The existing studies primarily concentrate on newspaper coverage of political, diplomatic, or social events, leaving a gap in research on globally significant sports events like the Beijing Olympics This study aims to fill that void and enhance the diversity of critical discourse analysis.
Systematic functional grammar and its role in CDA
Systemic functional grammar (SFG), also known as systemic functional linguistics (SFL), is a language approach developed by Michael Halliday in the 1960s, rooted in the broader framework of systemic linguistics This approach views language as a "network of systems" that offers interrelated options for meaning-making Unlike traditional formal grammar, which focuses on word classes, SFG emphasizes the functional aspect of language, prioritizing meaning in communication.
Systemic Functional Grammar (SFG) focuses on the choices available to speakers and writers, linking their intentions to the tangible forms of language These choices are traditionally categorized by content and structure SFG analyzes language through three strata: semantics, phonology, and lexico-grammar, offering a comprehensive view that encompasses both grammatical structure and vocabulary The term "lexico-grammar" encapsulates this integrated approach to understanding language.
As far as SFG is concerned, functional bases of grammatical phenomena are divided into three broad areas, called metafunctions: the ideational, the interpersonal and the textual
Written and spoken texts can be examined with respect to each of these metafunctions in register analyses
There are two primary types of ideational metafunctions: experiential and logical The experiential metafunction helps us organize our understanding of the world by allowing language to represent experiences through elements like images or comic panels, differentiating these elements into processes, participants, and circumstances In contrast, the logical metafunction builds upon the experiential, enabling us to organize reasoning based on our experiences by establishing logical connections between these representations.
Transitivity plays a crucial role in the ideational metafunction, allowing for the classification of an infinite range of occurrences into a limited number of process types These process types include Material, Mental, Relational, Behavioral, Verbal, and Existent Processes, as summarized in Table 1 below.
Table 1 Summary of process types
Process type Definition Category meaning
Processes of doing things; express the notion that some entity
―does‖ something, which may be done
Action 'doing' The boy hit the dog
Event 'happening' The mayor resigned
Processes of (typically human) physiological and psychological behavior like breathing, coughing, dreaming, staring
A kind of activity in people‘s mind, requires a conscious participant
Perception 'seeing' I hadn‘t noticed that
Affection 'feeling' The boy loved the girl
Cognition 'thinking' She didn‘t believe her husband
John told me the truth
The interpersonal metafunction focuses on the tenor or interactivity of a text, encompassing the speaker or writer's persona, social distance, and relative social status While social distance and status typically apply to spoken texts, O'Halloran suggests that we can also analyze how individual authors present themselves to readers in written texts This perspective allows for the examination of social distance and relative social status even in works authored by a single individual.
The speaker or writer persona reflects the individual's stance, personalization, and position, which can be assessed through their use of language—whether it is neutral, positive, or negative Social distance indicates the closeness between speakers, illustrated by the use of nicknames that signify intimacy Additionally, relative social status examines the power dynamics and knowledge levels between individuals; for instance, the relationship between a mother and child typically exhibits an unequal power structure Key focuses include speech acts, such as who asks questions and who answers, topic selection, turn management, and the ability of both speakers to evaluate the subject matter effectively.
The textual metafunction relates to mode; the internal organization and communicative nature of a text This comprises textual interactivity, spontaneity and communicative distance
Textual interactivity is examined with reference to disfluencies such as hesitators, pauses and repetitions
Spontaneity in communication is assessed by examining lexical density, grammatical complexity, coordination of clauses, and the use of nominal groups Additionally, the analysis of communicative distance focuses on a text's cohesion and the presence of abstract language, highlighting how well the elements of the text connect and interact.
Cohesion is examined through lexical and grammatical elements, along with intonational features, highlighting lexical chains and speech register components like tonality, tonicity, and tone The lexical aspect emphasizes sense relations and repetitions of words, while the grammatical aspect addresses meaning repetition through reference, substitution, and ellipsis, as well as the importance of linking adverbials.
Systemic functional grammar deals with all of these areas of meaning equally within the grammatical system itself
Systemic Functional Linguistics (SFL) has been a foundational tool for critical discourse analysis (CDA) since its inception in the 1970s, as it views language as a societal phenomenon and examines its usage within social contexts (Halliday, 1994) By linking grammatical structures to their contextual applications, SFL offers a robust framework for linguistic analysis that aligns with the objectives of critical discourse analysts The influence of systemic functional categories has been evident in early CDA studies by scholars such as Fowler, Kress, Hodge, and Trew.
Recent studies by Fairclough (1979), Fowler (1996), and others have highlighted the connection between Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) and Systemic Functional Linguistics (SFL) Renkema (2004) emphasizes that adopting a Hallidayan approach to CDA aims to address criticisms regarding its vagueness and lack of objectivity, providing a more systematic framework for analysis.
(2007) suggests at the use of the formula to generalize the total meaning of the sentence (in Vietnamese)
M sent = f [St + comp (RIT)] (Tran Huu Manh 2007, p269)
(Meaning of the sentence = function of [Structure (i.e semantic structure) + compositionality (Representational + Interpersonal + Textual)]
The author highlights the significance of compositionality in understanding sentence meaning, incorporating cultural values into the overall interpretation of the text, which is essential for Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA).
Hence, one of the strengths of applying a SFL analysis to CDA is that its detailed and rigorous analysis of texts helps to preserve the interpretation from ideological bias
This chapter provides an overview of Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) theories, explores various studies on media news discourse, and highlights key aspects of systemic functional grammar and its significance in CDA This foundation sets the stage for the main focus of the study presented in Chapter III.
A Critical Discourse Analysis of CNN Online and BBC Online News on
Highlighted topics
In this part, the author investigates the focused topics found in both BBC and CNN online Table 2 and table 3 illustrate these topics
Table 2: Topics focused in BBC online
The 5 29 Competition features a diverse range of sports, including archery, athletics, badminton, baseball, basketball, boxing, canoeing, cycling, diving, equestrian, fencing, football, gymnastics, handball, hockey, judo, modern pentathlon, rowing, sailing, shooting, softball, swimming, table tennis, taekwondo, tennis, triathlon, volleyball, weightlifting, and wrestling This extensive lineup showcases the athleticism and skill required in various disciplines, appealing to a wide audience of sports enthusiasts.
7 Six athletes heading to the Games despite huge obstacles
Table 3: Topics focused in BBC and CNN online
1 Schedules and results (by sport and by date)
2 Athletes (by name, by nation, by sport);
3 Medal tracker (2008 totals, historic totals)
4 SI photos (photo galleries, photos by sport)
6 Everyday people preparing for the 2008 Summer Games
Both newspapers emphasize key aspects such as competition results, medal counts, successful athletes, and the evolution of sports facilities BBC Online offers insights into Team Great Britain and the Paralympics, while CNN features updates on Sports Illustrated photos, logistical preparations for the 2008 Summer Games, financial considerations, the host nation, and athlete rosters.
In addition, on the front page on the Olympic Games, both e-newspapers highlight the closing ceremony of the Olympics Games; and many have videos on the Games
Regarding competition fields, BBC have a greater number of headlines than CNN This does not include articles on schedule and results of the games
Table 4 reveals that the headlines analyzed in both newspapers are concise and straightforward, primarily emphasizing medal-winning athletes and their respective countries.
Table 4: Wording of competition fields in headlines of BBC online and CNN online
Federer and Nadal make last eight Federer and Williams sisters crash out
Nadal to face Gonzalez in final Federer, Nadal and Djokovic cruise through
US star regain basketball gold Spanish Olympic basketball team in 'racist' photo row China pick up seventh diving gold Host nation maintain diving dominance
Phelps breaks Olympic gold record Endorsements pure gold for Phelps
Collins leaves UK athletic post UK sprinter fails in bid to beat Beijing ban Frodeno claims gold as Brits fade 'Blade Runner' keeps Olympic hope alive
Lin cruises to badminton success Olympic swimmer wouldn't let cancer dash his dream Phelps wins historic eighth gold Phelps on course with third gold medal
Bolt grabs third gold and record Bolt and Powell primed for 100 meters clash Nadal beats Gonzalez to take gold Top seed Nadal overpowers Troicki
Spitz and Absalon secured gold in mountain biking, while Russia achieved an unexpected victory in the relay event, aided by Bolt's performance that helped Jamaica shatter the world relay record In triathlon, Snowsill dominated to win gold, contributing to Australia's success with both gold and bronze medals in the women's category Meanwhile, Argentina showcased resilience in the heat to clinch gold in five-a-side football, celebrating the essence of the 'beautiful game' at the Games.
Closely examining the headlines, it is noted that both media agencies sometimes use positive words (adjectives, nouns and verbs) to judge While BBC uses the words
―cruises‖, ―storms‖, ―brave‖, ―historic‖, ―surprise‖, CNN prefers ―top seed‖, ―smash‖,
―overpowers‖, ―beautiful game‖, ―glory‖ to show their praise for success of the athletes and the games
Most of the analyzed headlines predominantly follow a simple SVO (Subject-Verb-Object) structure However, CNN employs noun phrases in some of its headlines, such as "Spanish Olympic basketball team in 'racist' photo row," "Phelps on course with third gold medal," and "Endorsements pure gold for Phelps." This approach highlights the actors involved rather than the actions they take.
From above analysis, we can see that both newspapers devote many columns to praise success of athletes and countries that win in competitions.
The use of pictures and videos
Both BBC and CNN effectively utilize images to enhance their content For instance, in their coverage of swimming, CNN features photos that showcase Michael Phelps' medal achievements and his joy upon winning competitions These visuals not only highlight Phelps' remarkable accomplishments but also underscore the writer's admiration for him as one of the greatest swimmers and Olympians in history.
Picture 1: Michael Phelps is one medal away from holding the record for the most gold medals in Olympic history
(CNN, August 12, 2008, on ―Phelps dives into Olympic history‖)
Picture 2: Left to right: Brendan Hansen, Aaron Piersol and Michael Phelps celebrate Sunday's historic win
(CNN, August 18, 2008, ―Phelps wins historic eight gold medals‖)
BBC, however, chose 8 pictures of Phelps holding gold medals These pictures show both historic records of the ―US swimming legend‖ and his happiness of winning competitions (see picture 3)
Picture 3: US swimming star Michael Phelps has broken Mark Spitz's 36-year-old record of seven gold medals in a single Olympic Games
(BBC, Saturday 16 August 2008, ―Phelps‘ eight steps to greatness‖)
Michael Phelps' remarkable international titles and record-breaking performances have established him as a top professional athlete His achievements, including the prestigious World Swimmer of the Year Award in 2003, highlight his exceptional talent and dedication to the sport.
2004, 2006, 2007, and 2008 and American Swimmer of the Year Award in 2001, 2002,
Since 2003, the athlete has achieved remarkable success in major international competitions, accumulating a total of fifty-four medals This impressive tally includes forty-five gold, seven silver, and two bronze medals across prestigious events such as the Olympics, World Championships, and Pan Pacific Championships.
The BBC enhanced its coverage of Michael Phelps's remarkable achievements by providing video clips that vividly showcase his success, offering a more engaging perspective compared to CNN These videos allow viewers to witness not only how Phelps earned his medals but also how he joyfully celebrates his victories.
Lexical analysis
This section examines the references to the Beijing 2008 Olympics in two e-newspapers, BBC and CNN Table 5 presents a comparison of the various referring expressions utilized in articles from both publications.
Table 5 References to Olympics Beijing 2008 BBC and CNN online
No BBC online CNN online
1 One of the best organized Games in history
Beijing bids farewell to Olympics
Iraq cleared to compete in Summer Olympics
2 The 29 th Games of the modern Olympiad
Beijing bids farewell to Olympics
Grand spectacle close Beijing‘s Olympics
Beijing bids farewell to Olympics
Emotion kicks off China's Olympics
4 The Olympics Beijing bids The 2008 Emotion kicks farewell to Olympics
Beijing bids farewell to Olympics
Olympic show opens with a bang, 8 August
6 Sixteen days of action, starring
Olympic show opens with a bang, 8 August
Viewers react to the Beijing Olympics
Iraq cleared to compete in Summer Olympics
Grand spectacle close Beijing‘s Olympics
There are both similarities and differences in the use of expressions to refer to the most unforgettable Olympic Games held in Beijing in the British and American press organizations
3.2.1 Use of neutral referring expressions for the event:
Both BBC and CNN utilize neutral, opinion-free terminology to describe the Olympic Games, avoiding any adjectives BBC refers to the event with phrases such as "The 29th Games of the modern Olympiad," "The Beijing Games," and "The Summer Olympics," while CNN opts for terms like "Beijing's Olympics," "The games in Beijing," and "The 2008 Olympic Games." These choices reflect a commitment to presenting the Games as a standard sporting event without any judgment or bias.
3.2.2 Use positive references to indicate the Games:
During the coverage of the Beijing Olympic Games, the media's viewpoint is evident through various opinion-led expressions Analysis indicates that the BBC utilized more positive references to the event, with 3 out of 10 expressions being favorable, compared to CNN's 1 out of 10 Both networks employed connotative language to highlight the success of the Olympic Games, aiming to provide readers with an uplifting perspective.
Thanks to the adjective ―particular‖ (in ―This particular Games‖), ―best organized‖ (in
The Beijing Games have been hailed as one of the best-organized Olympic events in history, featuring 10,000 athletes from 204 nations over 16 glorious days of competition This media recognition highlights the uniqueness and success of the Games, marking them as a standout event that redefined the Olympic experience.
CNN refers to the event as "the greatest Olympics ever," highlighting its status as the most-watched summer sports event, featuring remarkable opening and closing ceremonies that captivate audiences worldwide.
By these references, it can also be implied that the media institutions highly appreciate China for hosting one of the most memorable Olympic Games.
An analysis of two sample texts
3.3.1.1 The use of transitive and intransitive sentences
Examination of the transitive and intransitive sentences in the two sample texts: ―Beijing bids farewell to Olympics‖ (BBC) and ―Grand spectacle closes Beijing‘s Olympics‖ (CNN) reveals a great similarity
Table 6 Number of transitive and intransitive sentences in two sample texts
BBC article “Beijing bids farewell to Olympics”
CNN “Grand spectacle closes Beijing’s Olympics”
The analysis reveals that both BBC and CNN predominantly employ intransitive sentences over transitive ones Specifically, the BBC article features 7 transitive sentences out of a total of 22, representing 31.8%, while CNN includes 6 transitive sentences out of 21, accounting for 28.6%.
In the article "Beijing Bids Farewell to Olympics," intransitive clauses effectively convey the reporters' attitudes For instance, the use of intransitive verbs highlights the emotional resonance of the event, showcasing the significance of the Olympics and the sentiments surrounding its conclusion This linguistic choice enhances the narrative by emphasizing the experiences and reflections of participants and spectators alike, ultimately enriching the overall portrayal of the Olympic farewell.
- ―The Olympic games have drawn to a close with a glittering ceremony inside Beijing‘s Bird‘s Nest Stadium‖
- ―Beijing‘s dramatic farewell to the 29th Games of the modern Olympiad got under way with a magnificent firework display, which quickly segued into an amazing display of dancing and drumming‖
- ―It was a more celebratory affair, as exuberant athletes, dancers and musicians got into the party spirit‖
The writer emphasizes the unfolding events without stating specific objectives, using prepositional phrases and subordinate clauses to enhance the narrative Phrases like "have drawn to a close" and "got under way" vividly illustrate the excitement of a grand closing ceremony.
Intransitive sentences effectively convey the BBC's positive judgment, as seen in the use of intransitive verbs such as "brought to a close," "were," and "was." These verbs, paired with opinion-driven language, highlight the newspaper's favorable perspective on the remarkable closing ceremony, the outstanding Games, and China as the host nation.
- ―Grand fireworks and spectacular choreography brought to a close the Beijing Games Sunday as one of the most remarkable Olympics in recent history were declared at an end‖
- ―‘These were truly exceptional Games‘, he said, declaring them formally closed‖
- Also impressive was the emergence of a new world supporting superpower – the host nation.‖
3.3.1.2 The use of active and passive voices
Results in table 7 show that in the reportage of closing ceremony of Beijing Olympics, there are many similarities in the use of active and passive voices
Both BBC and CNN predominantly utilize active voice over passive voice in their coverage of the Olympic Games farewell in China According to Table 7, BBC employs passive voice 17.1% of the time, while CNN uses it even less, at 12.5%.
Table 7 Active and passive voice used in BBC and CNN texts
BBC article “Beijing bids farewell to Olympics”
CNN “Grand spectacle closes Beijing’s Olympics”
Number of clauses Percentage Number of clauses
Most passive verbs in the article are used without mentioning the agents, with only one instance including an agent: "The British flag was raised and 'God Save the Queen' sung by the choir." This choice reflects the author's emphasis on the actions rather than the individuals responsible for them Instead of the traditional "by + the causer of action" structure, the two media agencies employ prepositional phrases to convey the doers of the action.
- The Olympic flag was handed to London mayor Boris Johnson
- Before Johnson was handed the Olympic flag from Guo Jinlong, the major of Beijing, and Rogge
- The sporting action was finally brought to an end earlier in the day
- One of the most remarkable Olympics in recent history were declared at an end
- Other spectacular sporting accomplishments were recorded at the Beijing Olympics
- Another shadow was cast during the opening weekend
More illustrations can be seen in the 2 tables below:
Table 8 Passive clauses found in the BBC article “Beijing bids farewell to Olympics”
Clauses Lines With/ Without agent
The Olympic flag was handed to London mayor
The Beijing Games were officially declared to be over
New stars were born 32 Without agent
The British flag was raised and "God Save the
Queen" sung by the choir
Before Johnson was handed the Olympic flag 39 Without agent from Guo Jinlong, the major of Beijing, and
The Olympic flame was then extinguished 58 Without agent
The sporting action was finally brought to an end earlier in the day
Table 9 Passive clauses found in the CNN article “Grand spectacle closes Beijing’s
Clauses Lines With/ Without agent
One of the most remarkable Olympics in recent history were declared at an end
Other spectacular sporting accomplishments were recorded at the Beijing Olympics
Objections were raised over certain Web sites being blocked
Demonstrators at unauthorized protests were detained 39 Without agent
Another shadow was cast during the opening weekend
Cohesion refers to the grammatical and lexical connections that unify different parts of a text It encompasses the use of synonyms, lexical sets, pronouns, verb tenses, time references, and grammatical references to create a seamless flow of ideas.
Cohesion, as defined by Halliday, is a semantic concept that pertains to the relationships of meaning within a text, which ultimately characterize it as a cohesive unit He emphasizes that cohesion often arises when the understanding of certain elements in the discourse relies on the interpretation of others.
Cohesion serves as the essential glue that unifies a written piece, ensuring that it flows seamlessly from one sentence to the next and from one paragraph to another.
Halliday categorizes cohesion into two main types: grammatical and lexical Grammatical cohesion encompasses elements such as reference, substitution, ellipsis, and conjunction, while lexical cohesion involves reiteration and collocation.
According to Nguyen Hoa (2000a), cohesion can be classified into three main types: grammatical cohesion, which encompasses substitution, ellipsis, parceling, and structural parallelism; logical cohesion, realized through the use of conjunctions; and lexical cohesion, which includes synonyms, antonyms, and associative relationships.
In the two sample texts, cohesive devices are seen in different kinds, among which conjunctions and reference are being focused respectively
Table 10 Conjunctions used in BBC article “Beijing bids farewell to Olympics”
As 4 6, 19, 45, 53 SC (Cause and Time)
Table 11 Conjunctions used in “Grand spectacle closes Beijing’s Olympics” of CNN
BBC and CNN journalists effectively utilize a variety of conjunctive words, including both coordinating and subordinating conjunctions, to create coherent and meaningful texts These conjunctions not only link ideas but also reflect the intentions of the media institutions, enhancing the overall clarity and impact of their reporting.
In the chosen article on closing ceremony of The Olympic Games, BBC uses more conjunctions than CNN Conjunctions occurred 39 times in “Beijing bids farewell to
In comparing the coverage of the Olympics, the BBC article features a higher frequency of conjunctions, using "and" 25 times compared to CNN's 8 instances Additionally, the BBC employs temporal conjunctions more prominently, with 12 out of 39 conjunctions being temporal, while CNN uses only 6 out of 17 Common temporal conjunctions found in both articles include "while," "before," "as," and "when." Both publications also incorporate contrastive conjunctions, with the BBC favoring "but" to express adversative ideas, whereas CNN opts for "however."
The contrastive relation expressed in the two famous e-newspapers will be further investigated for illustration
- ―China staged the Olympics against a background dominated by fears of pollution, worries over security and protests about its human rights record
The sporting event captivated audiences with thrilling moments, notably Michael Phelps achieving an unprecedented eight gold medals and Usain Bolt setting three world records while securing three golds for Jamaica.
(Beijing bids farewell to Olympics – BBC)
- ―… Other spectacular sporting accomplishments were recorded at the Beijing Olympics: US swimmer Michael Phelps became the face of the Games, winning a record eight Olympic gold medals in a single games
Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt won three golds – in the 100-meterr dash, 200-meter dash and 4x400-meter relay
However, questions and criticism remained about China‘s stance on free speech and political protest Objections were raised over certain Web sites being blocked
And although Chinese organizers had created designated ―protest zones,‖ people allowed to protest appeared non-existent‖
(Grand spectacle closes Beijing‘s Olympics – CNN)
The authors highlight the remarkable achievements of the Olympic Games, showcasing them as one of the most successful events in history, while also acknowledging existing shortcomings The BBC emphasizes these contrasts by using the connector "but" after critical remarks to underscore the accomplishments In contrast, CNN presents a list of the Games' strengths before employing conjunctions like "however" and "although" to convey its negative perspectives.
Conclusion
Conclusions
The analysis of the 2008 Beijing Olympics coverage by BBC and CNN reveals notable similarities and differences in their reporting This includes variations in content, illustrative methods, referring expressions, syntactic structures, cohesion, and transitivity The findings suggest distinct ideological positions held by the two media organizations.
Both newspapers commend the success of the Games and express admiration for China as the host of these unforgettable events They highlight the impressive competition results, celebrate successful athletes, and acknowledge the medals won The opening and closing ceremonies received widespread acclaim globally, underscoring their significance Additionally, both media outlets address certain weaknesses observed during the Games organized by China.
BBC and CNN highlight the Olympic Games with positive language, describing them as among the best and most memorable in history The closing ceremony is characterized as a vibrant celebration, reinforcing the overall positive sentiment surrounding the event.
A grand party showcases the effective use of transitive and intransitive sentences, along with active and passive voice, by British and American media agencies to convey their ideological perspectives Both texts predominantly employ material processes and participants to illustrate actions and events In the context of reporting a sports event, the material process—focused on the act of doing—emerges as an ideal choice for capturing visible activities.
The research demonstrates a strong connection between language, power, and ideology, revealing that the coverage by the two newspapers was influenced by their respective ideological perspectives Language functions as a powerful tool, often employed implicitly, to assert the authority of its users.
Newspapers hold significant influence due to their vast readership, allowing reporters to shape public perception on various issues It is essential for readers to recognize how language in news reports can convey specific values and ideologies By understanding these techniques, readers can critically analyze texts and uncover underlying biases.
Suggestions for further study
The study titled "A Critical Discourse Analysis of CNN and BBC Online News on the Beijing Olympics 2008" is limited in scope due to time constraints and the researcher's capacity, focusing primarily on micro-level textual features Despite the author's diligent efforts to complete the thesis, some shortcomings are inevitable Consequently, constructive feedback and recommendations from readers are welcomed to enhance the work.
Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) is an effective linguistic method for uncovering the underlying ideologies and power dynamics present in discourse Consequently, it is recommended that this approach be integrated into the studies of language learners and researchers.
Future research should involve larger-scale studies that utilize a more extensive database, incorporating various media types such as television and radio Additionally, it would be beneficial to examine news agencies beyond just BBC and CNN to gain a broader perspective on discourse analysis.
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1 Nguyễn Hoà (2007), Phân tích diễn ngôn phê phán: lý luận và phương pháp, ĐHQGHN
2 Trần Hữu Mạnh (2007), Bàn thêm về cấu trúc ngữ nghĩa tiếng Anh và tiếng Việt dưới góc độ Ngữ pháp Tri nhận Tạp chí Khoa học Xã hội và Nhân văn - Tạp chí Khoa học ĐHQG Hà Nội, 23
3 Trần Thị Thu Hương (2009), Mạch lạc diễn ngôn hội thoại trong một số tác phẩm văn học hiện đại: Luận văn ThS, Ngôn ngữ học: 60 22 01, ĐHKHXH & NV
1 http://edition.cnn.com/2008/SPECIALS/2008/news/olympics
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Appendix 1 Transitive sentences found in the BBC article “Beijing bids farewell to Olympics”
Spectacular fireworks kicked off the proceedings, while a beautifully choreographed drumming and dancing display recalled the opening ceremony
Scottish cyclist Chris Hoy, a three-time gold medalist from the Beijing Olympics, proudly served as the flag bearer for Team GB, leading over 200 flag bearers and thousands of athletes during the event.
China staged the Olympics against a background dominated by fears of pollution, worries over security and protests about its human rights record
We shared their joys and their tears and marvelled at their abilities, and will long remember their achievements here
It heralded the start of an eight-minute segment for London organizers to offer a flavor of the 2012 Games, as a red London bus arrived into the stadium
Hoy, dressed up as a city gent, and fellow British cyclists Victoria
Pendleton and Jamie Staff accompanied the bus on bicycles alongside a troupe of dancers holding umbrellas
Legendary Spanish tenor Placido Domingo and Chinese soprano Song
Zuying joined forces to sing, while Hollywood actor Jackie Chan later joined a throng of dancers and singers for a closing number
Appendix 2 Transitive sentences found in the CNN article “Grand spectacle closes Beijing’s Olympics”
The ceremony marked a climax to a Games that has delivered many world-breaking sporting performances and redefined the international image of the communist nation
"Through these Games, the world learned more about China, and
China learned more about the world."
China had invested more than $40 billion in the games, which it viewed as a chance to show the world its dramatic economic progress
Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt won three golds in the 100-meter dash, 200-meter dash and 4x100-meter relay
And although Chinese organizers had created designated "protest zones," people allowed to protest appeared non-existent
On the final weekend of the Olympics, U.S diplomatic officials raised concern to Beijing over eight Americans arrested the previous week for planning or staging protests
Appendix 3 BBC TEXT Beijing bids farewell to Olympics
Page last updated at 15:14 GMT, Sunday, 24 August 2008 16:14 UK
(http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/olympics/7578133.stm)
Video - Beijing Olympics come to an end
The Olympic Games have drawn to a close with a glittering ceremony inside Beijing's Bird's Nest Stadium
Spectacular fireworks kicked off the proceedings, while a beautifully choreographed drumming and dancing display recalled the opening ceremony
It was a more celebratory affair, as exuberant athletes, dancers and musicians got into the party spirit
The Olympic flag was handed to London mayor Boris Johnson, with organizers briefly showcasing the 2012 Games
As the countdown to 2012 begins, organizers face the challenge of meeting high expectations, especially after China's remarkable hosting of one of the best-organized Games in history, which featured unforgettable opening and closing ceremonies.
Beijing's dramatic farewell to the 29th Games of the modern Olympiad got under way with a magnificent firework display, which quickly segued into an amazing display of dancing and drumming
Scottish cyclist Chris Hoy, a three-time gold medalist from the Beijing Olympics, proudly served as the flag bearer for Team GB, leading over 200 flag bearers and thousands of athletes during the event.
After speeches from Liu Qi, president of the Beijing
Organizing Committee, and International Olympic
Committee president Jacques Rogge, the Beijing
Games were officially declared to be over
China staged the Olympics against a background dominated by fears of pollution, worries over security and protests about its human rights record
The sporting events were captivating, featuring Michael Phelps achieving an unprecedented eight gold medals and Usain Bolt setting three world records while securing three gold medals for Jamaica.
"We have come to the end of 16 days which we will cherish forever," said Rogge
"New stars were born and stars from previous Games continued to amaze us
"We shared their joys and their tears and marvelled at their abilities, and will long remember their achievements here
"These were a truly exceptional Games."
The ceremony was staggering in scale, perfectly choreographed, visually stunning and absolutely on time How does London follow that?
BBC Sport's Matt Slater in Beijing
The British flag was raised and "God Save the Queen" sung by the choir, before Johnson was handed the
Olympic flag from Guo Jinlong, the major of Beijing, and Rogge
It heralded the start of an eight-minute segment for
London organizers to offer a flavor of the 2012 Games, as a red London bus arrived into the stadium
Hoy, dressed up as a city gent, and fellow British cyclists Victoria Pendleton and Jamie Staff accompanied the bus on bicycles alongside a troupe of dancers holding umbrellas
Singer Leona Lewis and former Led Zeppelin guitarist
Jimmy Page emerged as the bus transformed into a grass-covered carnival float, and the pair combined for a rendition of "Whole Lotta Love"
And the biggest star turn came when former Manchester United star and England captain David Beckham arrived to kick a football into the crowd of athletes
The Olympic flame was then extinguished, before the attention shifted to a "memory tower" in the centre of the stadium
Legendary Spanish tenor Placido Domingo and Chinese soprano Song Zuying joined forces to sing, while Hollywood actor Jackie Chan later joined a throng of dancers and singers for a closing number
The sporting action was finally brought to an end earlier in the day, with France's men claiming gold in the final of the handball
The final gold medal of the event, marking the 302nd award, was presented after the concluding finals in boxing, basketball, volleyball, and water polo, with Kenya's Sammy Wanjiru triumphing in the men's marathon.
London mayor Boris Johnson accepted the flag ahead of 2012
Appendix 4 CNN text Grand spectacle closes Beijing's Olympics
August 25, 2008 Updated 0823 GMT (1623 HKT) (http://edition.cnn.com/2008/SPORT/08/24/olympics.close/index.html#cnnSTCText)
The Beijing Games concluded on Sunday, marked by grand fireworks and stunning choreography, solidifying their status as one of the most remarkable Olympics in recent history.
A dancer performs Sunday during the Olympics Closing Ceremony in Beijing more photos ằ
Fireworks across China's capital as a crowd of more than 90,000 at the landmark "Bird's Nest" National Stadium watched the pyrotechnics
The ceremony marked a climax to a Games that has delivered many world-breaking sporting performances and redefined the international image of the communist nation
"Tonight, we come to the end of 16 glorious days which we will cherish forever," IOC President Jacques Rogge said
"Through these Games, the world learned more about China, and China learned more about the world."
"These were truly exceptional games," he said, declaring them formally closed
Joining the sportsmen and women at the event were a delegation from London, host of the
2012 Summer Games, including soccer star David Beckham who rode into the stadium on a red double-decker bus Watch a gallery of the Closing Ceremony ằ
British Prime Minister Gordon Brown was also in attendance while London's mayor, Boris Johnson received the Olympic flag from Beijing Mayor Go Jinlong Watch preparations under way in London ằ
China invested over $40 billion in the Olympics, seeing it as an opportunity to showcase its significant economic advancements Unlike past Summer Games, the logistics for this event were remarkably efficient and well-organized.
China, the host nation, emerged as a new world sporting superpower by securing first place in the gold medal standings, a remarkable achievement since it won its first Summer Olympic gold medal in 1984 Meanwhile, the United States maintained its lead in the overall medals table.
E-mail us: What did you think of the Olympics in China?
Emotion kicks off China's Olympics
The Beijing Olympics showcased remarkable athletic achievements, with U.S swimmer Michael Phelps emerging as the standout star by securing an unprecedented eight gold medals in a single Games For a detailed timeline of daily highlights, click here.
Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt won three golds in the 100-meter dash, 200-meter dash and 4x100-meter relay Watch a gallery of Olympic moments
However, questions and criticism remained about China's stance on free speech and political protest Objections were raised over certain Web sites being blocked And