US slams jamming of Ethiopia’s VOA radio

[Judi Lynn]

Source: Sudan Tribune

US slams jamming of Ethiopia’s VOA radio
Sunday 21 March 2010

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.


Read more: http://www.sudantribune.com/spip.php?article34486

[Ian David]

1. I don't blame them. It carries Limbaugh and "Doctor Laura." n/t

[8 track mind]

4. Really?

Do they broadcast limbaugh and dr laura? I've never heard that on the shortwave broadcasts of the VOA

[Ian David]

5. I know they carry them on the armed forces radio network. I think I mixed them up.

[8 track mind]

6. yeah you are right

it is the armed forces radio network, i've read about that

[David__77]

2. Those freedoms are for Ethiopians, not for the US agents.

Ethiopia is a sovereign country and needn't allow foreign propaganda to flood their airwaves.

[Kurska]

8. I'd imagine in a free country a Ethiopian could decide what channel to tune into.

Obviously some people believe they shouldn't be afforded that right, that some how the government needs to decide what they can or can not listen to.

[David__77]

9. I can't tune into the TV network of Hezbollah. The US government nixed the deal.

This sort of thing happens all the time.

[Alamuti Lotus]

3. How dare they disrupt our God-given right to subvert the region!

VOA's consistent incitement in favor of the US-AU occupation of Somalia is, however, a curious thing for the government to take issue with. There's more going on there, to be sure.

[Kurska]

7. I take it you're not a big fan of free speech?

Nice detective work too, hehe.