BBC condemns Ethiopian sat-jamming

International broadcasters protest against intentional jamming from Ethiopia

May 30, 2014 (Deutsche Welle) — Due to intentional jamming from Ethiopia the reception of TV programs by Deutsche Welle and numerous other international broadcasters is currently severely impacted in large parts of the Arab world.

BBC, France 24 and Voice of America are also among the broadcasters affected by the jamming.

The satellite provider Arabsat has identified Ethiopia as the source of the strong jamming signals on all its three satellites. Ethiopian authorities have not responded to the incident yet.

Peter Limbourg, director general of Deutsche Welle: “This is a gross violation of the internationally recognized right of freedom of speech and freedom of the press. 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 Deutsche Welle’s short wave programs have been repeatedly target of jamming from Ethiopia, the current incident appears not to be aimed at specific broadcasters or programs. The jamming of satellite programs 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 Deutsche Welle is available through its TV channel “DW Arabia.” Selected radio programs in Arabic are available via partner stations throughout the region.

Source: DW

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BBC condemns Ethiopian sat-jamming

May 30, 2014

(BBC News) –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 Directors 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.

Source: BBC