http://www.bbg.gov/blog/2014/05/30/bbc-condemns-ethiopian-broadcast-jamming/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=bbc-condemns-ethiopian-broadcast-jamming
BBC Condemns Ethiopian Broadcast Jamming
MAY 30, 2014
Liliane Landor, acting Director of the BBC World Service Group, has called on the Ethiopian authorities to stop jamming BBC broadcasts in the Middle East and North Africa.
She joined directors from Deutsche Welle, France 24, and the US Broadcasting Board of Governors which oversees the Voice of America, in condemning the flagrant violation of the clearly established international procedures on operating satellite equipment.
Liliane Landor said: “The BBC calls upon the Ethiopian authorities to end this interference. They are disrupting international news broadcasts for no apparent reason. This is a deliberate act of vandalism that tarnishes their reputation.”
During the past week BBC television and radio broadcasts on the Arabsat satellites have been affected by intentional uplink interference. Many international television broadcasts, including those from France 24 and Deutsche Welle, have been badly affected.
The satellite operator Arabsat has reported that the interference has come from within Ethiopia. The interference is intensive and affects services on all three Arabsat satellites. Unlike previous instances of intentional interference, these events do not appear to be linked to any particular content or channel on these satellites.
The interference is contrary to the international regulations that govern the use of radio frequency transmissions and the operation of satellite systems, and inhibits the ability of individuals to freely access media according to Article 19 of the UN Declaration of Human Rights.
http://www.broadbandtvnews.com/2014/05/30/deutsche-welle-condemns-satellite-jamming-from-ethiopia/
Deutsche Welle condemns satellite jamming from Ethiopia
MAY 30, 2014 14.45 EUROPE/LONDON BY JÖRN KRIEGER
Germany’s international broadcaster Deutsche Welle (DW) protests against the intentional jamming from Ethiopia currently affecting satellite reception of the TV programmes of DW and other international services in large parts of the Arab world.
Satellite operator Arabsat has identified Ethiopia as the source of the strong jamming signals on all its three satellites also affecting BBC, France 24 and Voice of America. Ethiopian authorities have not responded to the incident yet.
“This is a gross violation of the internationally recognised right of freedom of speech and freedom of the press,” said DW’s director general Peter Limbourg. “Deutsche Welle, BBC, France 24 and Voice of America strongly condemn this action against the free flow of impartial information. We urge the Ethiopian authorities to immediately cease the jamming.”
While DW’s shortwave transmissions have been repeatedly target of jamming from Ethiopia, the current incident appears not to be aimed at specific broadcasters or programmes. According to DW, the jamming of satellite signals constitutes a violation of international agreements, but the practice is nevertheless on the rise. The most recent incidents occurred in 2011 and 2012 via Iran.
In the Arab world, DW is available through its TV channel DW Arabia. Selected radio programmes in Arabic are distributed via partner stations throughout the region.
Received on Fri May 30 2014 - 14:33:19 EDT