US slams jamming of Ethiopia’s VOA radio

March 20, 2010 (WASHINGTON) — Washington criticized its key ally in the Horn of Africa, Ethiopia, for jamming Voice of America’s local Amharic language service, saying it is a clear violation of the freedom of the press.

Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi Thursday admitted to jamming the US government-funded VOA Amharic service, describing it as Radio Mille Collines in Rwanda which had broadcasted racist and hatred programmes before the 1994 genocide.

“We have been convinced for many years, that in many respects, the VOA Amharic Service has copied the worst practices of radio stations such as Radio Mille Collines of Rwanda in engaging in destabilizing propaganda,” Meles said.

However the US State Department condemned the comparison to the infamous Rwandan station and urged Ethiopian government to respect the freedoms of press and expression as guaranteed by the constitution.

“The prime minister may disagree with news carried in Voice of America’s Amharic Service broadcasts; however, a decision to jam VOA broadcasts contradicts the Government of Ethiopia’s frequent public commitments to freedom of the press,” State Department spokesperson Gordon Duguid said today.

“Comparing a respected and professional news service to a group that called for genocide in Rwanda is a baseless and inflammatory accusation that seeks only to deflect attention away from the core issue.”

VOA said in a statement it had not had talks with the Ethiopian government for more than two years.
“Any comparison of VOA programming to the genocidal broadcasts of Rwanda’s Radio Mille Collines is incorrect and unfortunate,” it said.

Next May Ethiopia will hold elections. Addis Ababa is accused of restricting the activities of the opposition parties and imposing severe control over the journalists.

(ST)