Cairo, 15/11/2012 (Agence Europe) - Strongly concerned by jamming of the signals of international media in the Middle East - which has become stronger since 15 October and which is attributed to Iran - High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton called on Tehran, on Wednesday 14 November, to respect its obligations to the telecommunications regulation of the International Telecommunications Union, and to cooperate in detecting and eliminating the harmful jamming. In a press release, her spokesperson said that Ashton considered that such practices deprive Iranian citizens of access to free information, recalling the right to freedom of expression - including receiving, looking for and sharing information.
On and off since 2009, signals broadcast by European satellites to the Middle East have been subject to repeated jamming which prevents the broadcasting of international media programmes in Iran. Since 15 October this jamming has intensified and prevents more than 500 television channels and 200 ration stations from broadcasting normally. The interference affects the broadcast of programmes on Iranian territory and the broadcast of international programmes in the whole region. (CG/transl.fl)