Human-rights group Amnesty International reports that its site is accessible, but other politically sensitive sites are still blocked. The Chinese government did not issue a formal statement explaining its decision to open up access, and did not say whether such access is permanent.

"Following discussions the IOC has held with the organizers of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games on the difficulties experienced this week in accessing some Web sites, the IOC is pleased to see that the issues are quickly being resolved," the International Olympic Committee said. "The media should be seeing a noticeable difference in accessibility to Web sites that they need to report on the Olympic Games."

On Again, Off Again, On Again

Internet censorship is standard for China's citizens, but China vowed seven years ago to allow journalists unfettered access during the Olympics. On Wednesday, the IOC and the Chinese government confirmed that reporters covering the Olympic Games would not be able to access sites China deems politically sensitive.

The IOC and China both came under fire. On Friday, the IOC began to try to repair the damage.

"The IOC has always encouraged the Beijing 2008 organizers to provide media with the fullest access possible to report on the games, including access to the Internet, knowing this is important for them to do their job," the organization said. "This access has always been assured by BOCOG [the Beijing Olympic organizing committee] and the Chinese authorities, and the IOC is pleased to see these are assurances being upheld."

What Happens After the Olympics?

Reporters Without Borders reported that its Web site, which has been blocked in China since 2003, can now be accessed at the Olympic press center in Beijing and in other parts of the capital, and in Shanghai.

"This is good news, of course, but it continues to be unacceptable that the Chinese government can decide, according to its mood, which Web sites are censored and which are accessible," Reporters Without Borders said. "And how long will these sites be available to the 253 million Chinese Internet users, who continue to be subject to massive online censorship?"

Reporters Without Borders also noted that the partial lifting of the censorship demonstrates the Chinese government is not completely insensitive to pressure. Leslie Harris, president and CEO of the Center for Democracy and Technology, agreed. The world, she said, needs to keep the pressure on.

"I have no expectation that China is going to fully open up its firewall , but this is an indication that if the world pays serious attention to this issue on a regular basis, and governments incorporate this issue into their trade negotiations and human-rights statements, we might be able to make some progress," Harris said. "We just need to focus on this beyond the Olympics. We can't just leave the Chinese people behind."