No Tweets, Instagrams, iPhones at the Olympics, authorities declare

[Horton]

Not sure if this a a good thing or a bad thing for the Olympics.

Considering the trouble water skiing has getting the news out in a compelling way - we should watch what happens.

 

http://www.myfoxdc.com/story/23934913/no-tweets-instagrams-iphones-at-the-olympics-authorities-declare

[MattP]

I say this is a very bad thing. For me something I look forward to every Olympics is following my favorite athletes social media during the ceremonies from the floor or following their performances via media outlets.

Having developed BallOfScores around social meda to broadcast scores and information about our sport it worries me that there would be limitations placed at such a world level event. It both surprises me and does not that this would be implemented by Russia. Even when China hosted the summer games there were not strict social media implementations in place like this even with their increasing scrutiny over internet use and social media use policies. I keep politics off the forum so I will leave it by saying I am very disappointed.

[Horton]

It reminds me of what we wanted to do for the first Atlanta ProAM. If I wanted to watch the TV coverage on delay I would not want to see the tweets. There is something to be said about controlling spoilers. You make ½ the fans angry by getting the news out real time or the other ½ angry by not.

[MattP]

@Horton I remember the first ProAm. I think I got a lot of crap for not having scores going out from the 1/2 of people who wanted them right away. I will ignore the tweets or stay away from social media if there is a event I want to watch on delay. Or I will follow the tweets live because I want the instat updates then watch the actual coverage later. Either way I am usually happy.

 

This unfortunately this censoring is not about controlling the content of the scores or results it's about control in general.

[Horton]

Are you sure this is really about pure control?

 

In the age of instant news and media creating a good fan experience is not as simple as it was 10-20 years ago. I am sure there are no easy answers.

 

[MattP]

With Putin banning all protests during the games as well it's more about control.

 

You are right this is the age instant news and media coverage it is something we all now expect and enjoy.

[Horton]

No. It is not all better.

The only sport I watch on TV is F1. I have to not look at facebook or tweets if I plan to watch the race in delay.

 

[jcamp]

This restriction is only for media. Still interesting, but it's not like athletes and/or spectators won't be able to tweet.

[Horton]

I had hoped that this was a media strategy. Now I am pretty sure Putin is just an asshole. (my one political post of the year)

 

Looks like they have backed off anyway

http://ftw.usatoday.com/2013/11/ioc-spokesman-journalists-free-to-instagram-at-sochi-olympics/

[Ilivetoski]

@Horton wait.... w get one political post a year?!

[MrJones]

Pretty sure Putin is attempting to go from president to Czar just like in the "Good old days". (If we can't all agree to pick on him we just can't get along.)

 

As far as people just staying off social media if you don't want spoiler info... have you seen Skidawg's attachment to his i phone???