ARLA/CLUSTER: A WRC-12 pressionou o Irão e a Siria para parem com o "jamming" via satelite e em OC.

[João Costa > CT1FBF]

New pressure on jammers of international broadcasts

The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) has called upon the
world’s nations to take 'necessary actions' to stop intentional
interference with satellite transmissions.

The change in ITU regulations, which was approved at the
just-concluded World Radiocommunication Conference (WRC-12) in Geneva,
Switzerland, came after numerous complaints that international
satellite TV programmes in Persian and Arabic were suffering from
deliberate interference, known as “jamming”. Two satellite operators
that have been targeted, Eutelsat and Arabsat, said the interfering
signals originated from Iran and Syria.

“We are gratified to see the World Radiocommunication Conference take
a position on this vital issue,” said Richard M Lobo, Director of the
United States International Broadcasting Bureau. “Of course, it
remains to be seen whether Iran, Syria and other countries which
interfere with international satellite communications will change
their practices. Jamming is a fundamental violation, not only of
international regulations and norms, but of the right of people
everywhere to receive and impart information,” Lobo said.

The interference, which has increased since September, 2011, affected
broadcasts of the British Broadcasting Corporation, Broadcasting Board
of Governors, Audiovisuel Extérieur de la France RFI and France 24 TV,
Deutsche Welle, and RFE/RL, Inc’s Radio Farda. Joining in backing the
ITU rule change were Radio Netherlands Worldwide and the European
Broadcasting Union.

The change in the regulation came after hours of discussion and
debate, both in small groups and on the floor of the WRC. A report by
the ITU’s Radio Regulations Board noted “the persistent character of
the harmful interference” and the fact that “in some cases, the
administrations involved have not responded … and appear to take no
action to resolve the interference.” The revised language says
administrations “shall ascertain the facts and take the necessary
actions” when they encounter jamming.

Prior to the WRC action, the Directors-General of five major
international broadcasters charged that jamming is a violation of
Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Reporters
Without Borders called for nations to “firmly condemn countries that
do not respect the fundamental principles of the free flow of
information,” adding, “the ITU must not be the accomplice of regimes
that obstruct the flow of news and information on their
telecommunications networks.”

The International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran termed satellite
jamming part of a broader effort. “The Iranian government is also
engaged in comprehensive attempts to take complete control of online
access to the internet as well as restricting mobile voice and data
communications,” the group said in a statement urging the WRC to
address the jamming issue.

Fontes: Media Network, Broadcasting Board of Governors