Maskless World Cup Fans Pose Broadcasting Dilemma for China

Footage of maskless fans packed into Qatar’s stadiums for the World Cup is putting China—facing rising discontent over its continuing strict Covid protocols—in a bind.

Footage reviewed by Bloomberg News and shared on social media appear to show state broadcaster China Central Television pulling back on footage of the stadium crowds compared to other international networks. While not removing them completely, CCTV often substitutes crowd close-ups with video of coaches, the team bench or anything other than the thousands of jubilant or despondent fans.

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