News Operators Satellite

International broadcasters condemn Ethiopian interference

During the past week, BBC television and radio broadcasts on the Arabsat satellites have been affected by intentional uplink interference, which has been traced back to Ethiopia.

Liliane Landor, acting Director of the BBC World Service Group, has joined directors from Deutsche Welle, France 24, and the US Broadcasting Board of Directors, in urging Ethiopia to stop jamming BBC broadcasts in the MENA region. International broadcasters have condemned Ethiopia’s violation of established international procedures on operating satellite equipment.

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 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.

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.”

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 .