NBC Edits Out IOC Anti-Discrimination Statement From Opening Ceremony

[Jesus Malverde]

Russia's anti-gay laws have been a major focus in the lead-up to the Olympic Winter Games in Sochi, and during his address at today's opening ceremony IOC president Thomas Bach made a strong statement against "any form of discrimination" and in favor of tolerance.

Viewers worldwide heard the statement; NBC viewers in the U.S. did not, because the network edited it out.

The video above is how it aired on NBC tonight. You'll notice a very awkward edit. Below is how it appeared everywhere else on Earth to viewers watching live:

Read More: http://deadspin.com/nbc-edits-out-ioc-anti-discrimination-statement-from-op-1518727938

[blkmusclmachine]

1. ,

,

[sabrina 1]

2. What is their point in doing something like that when the whole world can see it

anyhow, including Americans. Do they think we still live in isolation from the rest of the world? I can't wait to hear how Russia 'edits' what their viewers see.

[davidpdx]

7. There is a 9 hour difference in time

The ceremony happened way before it was shown on TV in the US. So my question to you is how long was the entire ceremony and how long did NBC have to air it? I won't hold my breathe for an honest answer.

[sabrina 1]

12. They had enough time to provide an interpreter. Of the entire speech.

What is your point?

[davidpdx]

15. My point is minus commercials, they only had a limited amount of time

To show the entire opening ceremony. Now if you want to criticize them for showing commercials go ahead. But any of the networks (CBS, ABC, or FOX) would have shown commercials during the Olympics. That's not just something NBC would do.

[jakeXT]

3. Was it live on CBC ? nt

[wocaonimabi]

4. Now why would NBC do something so silly? Do they support discrimination or did they do it to

placate Putin and the Homophobes?

As the article stated this is not the first time NBC did this either.

I am sure when asked NBC will blame it on a lone wolf tech who did it without permission and NBC management will just be shocked and upset and then fire the low-level person who was just doing what they were told by a higher up.

[malaise]

5. The rest of the world watched the opening ceremony live

from 10.00am.

[davidpdx]

6. True

There is a 9 hour time difference between Sochi and the East coast of the US. The ceremony was over. NBC probably had a short window to air the opening ceremonies. With the time it takes for all the countries to march in and then the ceremony itself, it is probably well over 3 hours.

[WolverineDG]

11. They had a 4 hour block of time nt

[MADem]

8. They "edited out" a shitload of stuff because they wanted to air COMMERCIALS...

This is a corporate enterprise.

The best part of the show was the military police in their drab uniforms and gi-normous hats doing a rather improbable version of "Get Lucky" before the start of the official events...did they show that? Hell no.

Every time they broke away, a big chunk went missing.

In Russia, they "edited in" a perfect set of rings--the "special snowflake" that the rest of the world saw was NOT seen on Russian television....

Manipulators gonna manipulate.

[dsc]

9. How long did that statement take?

15 seconds? NBC has a horrible history of unfortunate edits and omissions when it comes to gays. Matthew Mitchum being a prime example. NBC's coverage in 2008 when Matthew won his gold didn't mention a thing about his being gay. This despite the fact that we heard endless stories about the personal lives of every flippin athlete at the games. The depression Matthew had in coming out was the big personal story of him and not one flippin word.

[MADem]

10. I don't know what Matthew's story was, so I am not prepared to comment.

I don't know a thing about his personal life, nor would I recognize him if shown a picture, so I am at a disadvantage to respond to you about his coverage. A link quoting him expressing dissatisfaction at the way he was portrayed might help to make your point. Maybe he had an old granny he was keeping in the dark? As I said, I don't know his story, so I can't respond with any knowledge. In any event 2008 is a light year from 2014, in more ways than one.

I think, given that the network is showing advertisements featuring gay people as part and parcel of their Olympics advertising package, that they're not 'omitting' gay people from their network--otherwise they would not get paid.

[Donald Ian Rankin]

13. Did they single it out for removal, or just not include it in a "highlights compilation"?

If they showed everything else, but not that bit, it's appalling.

If they showed a few edited highlights, and that happened not to be one of them, it's a complete non-issue.

What fraction of the ceremony did they show?

[Jesus Malverde]

14. From the two clips on the link you'll see it's a brief statement

Maybe 10 seconds or less..It's an odd edit.