Winter Olympics reporter dragged away by security live on air in shock scenes amid criticism over China press treatment
A DUTCH reporter covering the Winter Olympics was dragged away by Chinese security live on air in Beijing.
Journalist Sjoerd den Daas was doing a piece to camera for broadcaster NOS, when he was approached by an official wearing a red armband.
It’s unclear what prompted the intervention.
The presenter’s face back in the studio was a picture of bafflement and concern, as Den Daas tried to avoid being physically removed by the official.
As a second official arrived on the scene, NOS were forced to cut back to studio.
The broadcaster swiftly took to social media to confirm that Den Daas was okay.
They wrote: “Our correspondent was pulled away from the camera by security guards at 12:00 pm live in the NOS Journaal.
“Unfortunately, this is increasingly becoming a daily reality for journalists in China.
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“He is fine and was able to finish his story a few minutes later.”
Den Daas did in fact return to air not long after the incident.
He had been broadcasting live from a street pavement, not far from Beijing’s Bird’s Nest Stadium.
Travelling press covering the winter Games have been subject to strict restrictions.
These include the use of a health monitoring app, as well as taking daily PCR tests.