Plans for an Olympic media centre for journalists not accredited by Games authorities took a major step forward today when the Mayor announced the appointment of broadcast and telecommunications firms who will provide the facility’s infrastructure.
The future of the centre, which has been opposed by some London Assembly members, was uncertain after government cuts to the London Development Agency budget.
Although Mayor Boris Johnson had previously spoken of the projects importance, in November his Chief of Staff Sir Simon Milton told AMs “If there is no money coming from the government it won’t happen.”
The centre will be located at One Great George Street and will provide workspaces and live broadcasting areas for over 250 journalists who have not been accredited by Olympic chiefs.
City Hall says up to 25,000 journalists are expected to be based in the capital during the games, a third of which will not have rights to the Games.
Events management firm Rushmans have been appointed to manage the centre and handle the accreditation of media wishing to use the centre while broadcast and digital services will be provided by North One Television and Flint London.
In a statement the Mayor said he was “confident that these leaders in their fields will deliver the cutting edge services that are essential for the 25,000 media descending on the capital for the Games to quickly report around the globe what an amazing place London is to visit, invest and live in.”
