Iran is electronically jamming the BBC’s Persian language television broadcasts over its coverage of the mass protests in Egypt, Britain’s state broadcaster said today. The interference began on Thursday evening after the BBC’s Iranian service showed extensive rolling news coverage from the demonstrations against President Hosni Mubarak.
“It is believed that it is the impact of this coverage which has prompted the jamming,” the BBC said in a statement. “Satellite technicians have traced that interference and have confirmed it is coming from Iran.” The BBC said it suspected the Iranian authorities may have acted after an interactive TV show allowed Iranian and Egyptian viewers to exchange their views on the crisis.
Peter Horrocks, director of the BBC World Service, said it would continue to try to broadcast in the Islamic Republic. “This jamming should stop immediately,” he said. “It is wrong that our significant Iranian audience is being denied impartial news and information from BBC Persian TV. This is a regional story that Persian TV have been covering thoroughly and it is clear from our audience feedback that Iranian people want to know what is happening in Egypt.”
Iran has previously accused the BBC and other Western broadcasters of interfering in its affairs and trying to undermine the government.
Today, Friday 11 February, is the anniversary of the Iranian revolution and this, coupled with opposition leader Karubi being placed under house arrest, has meant protests have been called over the next couple of days.
(Source: Reuters/BBC )
