Ethiopia accused of jamming Eritrea’s broadcast signals

By Tesfa-Alem Tekle

January 13, 2012 (ADDIS ABABA) – Ethiopia is blocking satellite transmissions from Eritrea, the government in Asmara accuses its larger neighbor, this week.

The Eritrean Ministry of information in a statement Thursday warned to take legal action. It further said Addis Ababa has been warned by the Arab Satellite Communications Organization over the illegal acts.

Following the alleged interferences the state-run Eritrean satellite television today announced to viewers a change to old frequency.

Ethiopian officials at the government communication affairs office are not available for comments today.

The horn of Africa country is facing increasing accusations of jamming to dozens of news websites and other Television broadcasters.

Last year, Ethiopian Satellite Television (ESAT), Voice of America and Deutsche Welle Amharic Services accused the Ethiopian government of blocking their transmission. An allegation Addis Ababa denies.

Following the accusations, The Ethiopian Free Press Journalists’ Association (EFJA) has accused china of being behind providing the technology, training and technical assistance to Ethiopia’s jamming activity.

The group called on China to immediately put an end to what the group said the republic’s illegal support

(ST)