NBC News Beijing

Several of us toured the NBC News Beijing bureau on our last full day in China.  The bureau is located on the diplomatic compound in the heart of the city.  Eric Baculinao has been the bureau chief since the early 1980s. He oversees two producers, one correspondent and three or four researchers.  Correspondent Mark Mullen spent a good half hour with us, talking about covering China and the rest of Asia and a little bit about the News division plans for the 2008 Olympics.  Mullen told us the bureau feeds most stories back to the states via a broadband connection, not satellite.  Using a satellite requires use of the nearby CCTV facilities, which are state run.  Mullen produces pieces for the Today Show, NBC Nightly News, CNBC and MSNBC.  He said China recently approved press freedoms opening many previously closed doors for international journalists.  For example, foreign journalists previously had to seek permission or approval for some interviews and to travel within the country. 

UI students at NBC News bureau in Beijing. L-R, Sam Unger, Ted Land, NBC News correspondent Mark Mullen, John Paul, Tom Rogers of WILL-AM 580, Liz Murray and Bureau chief Eric Baculinao.