Iran 'jamming Al-Jazeera broadcasts'

January 10, 2012

AFP – 7 hours ago

Iran is jamming broadcasts by Qatar-based news channel Al-Jazeera, satellite

operator Arabsat said in a statement received on Tuesday.

" Al-Jazeera is affected... from two different locations in Iran, " near Tehran

and near the northwestern city of Maragheh, it said, adding that the cause was

located at the request of the pan-Arab news channel.

The satellite television on Sunday announced a new frequency for Arabsat viewers

due to " continued interference. "

" Over the past few months, Al-Jazeera has faced sustained interference to our

satellite transmissions, " it said in a statement.

" These occurrences will only strengthen our commitment to continue providing our

award-winning coverage across the region 24 hours a day, seven days a week, "

said the broadcaster.

The influential channel has been criticised by many Arab governments for its

coverage of the anti-regime uprisings which have swept the region since the

start of 2011.

Officials in Iran's regional ally Syria, have repeatedly slammed Al-Jazeera's

coverage of the deadly revolt in the country, which has largely remained sealed

off from the foreign media.

The Qatari channel has relied for its coverage on footage of protests posted on

the Internet from Syrian activists' mobile phones and webcams.

Egypt's Nilesat satellite operator suspended carrying Al-Jazeera on January 30,

2011 for its coverage of demonstrations before the ouster of president Hosni

Mubarak.

Last February, Al-Jazeera accused Libya's intelligence services of jamming its

broadcasts in the country where a NATO-backed uprising ended the rule of

dictator Moamer Kadhafi.

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