VOA upsets the Gov't by launching News on Arabsat in three Languages

By Biniam N.

Jamming VOA - 1

In January 2008, Ethiopia was accused of jamming the VOA Amharic and Oromifa programs. The government denied the accusations claiming technical difficulties as the cause of radio disruptions. As jamming in Ethiopia continued, VOA was also accused of censoring news about death of civilians at the hand of the opposition. According to critics of VOA, the Amharic language VOA program "systematically excluded" news about the armed group ONLF's killing of numerous Ethiopian civilians near the end of 2007. [52] Pro-Ethiopian government critics of VOA will honor and remember "the bravery" of Annette Sheckler - the former head of the Horn of Africa VOA service who was fired after complaining against her bosses at the VOA executive management.

Jamming VOA - 2

At the Beginning of March 2010 International shortwave radio monitors have confirmed that VOA broadcasts in the Amharic language are being jammed.

Then in March 22, VOA Announced it started the VOA Satellite Service and finally in the press release below the VOA also started to be heard on ARABSAT in 3 different languages.

Voice of America announced Wednesday the start-up of a new satellite transmission of many of its Africa language broadcasts, giving the Horn of Africa broadcasts in Afan Oromo, Amharic and Tigrigna prime evening listening time on the 24-hour schedule.

Ethiopians and Eritreans with access to satellite television on Arabsat, the region`s most popular satellite, can now hear the clear and complete broadcast of daily news from our reporters on the ground, and from our international broadcasters in Washington, D.C. This audio transmission of VOA's shortwave air shows will display as VOA Africa 24 in a list of available channels.

Listeners can tune into the audio of VOA's regular live Monday-through-Friday broadcasts of Afan Oromo at 8:30 p.m., Amharic at 9 p.m. and Tigrigna at 10 p.m. and the Amharic Breakfast Show at 6 a.m. These evening broadcasts will be repeated immediately following the live broadcasts. The Breakfast Show will be repeated at 7 a.m. On weekends, you will also hear the regular broadcasts on Saturday at 9 p.m. of the Amharic broadcast of the popular Ya Musica Qana and featured panel discussions and live broadcast of Radio Magazine at 9 p.m. on Sundays.



Instructions for accessing our new audio channel are as follows:

Satellite: Arabsat 26% East

Downlink Frequency: 11.938 GHz

FEC: 3/4

Symbol Rate: 27.5 MSym/s

Downlink Polarization: Vertical

VC: 544/1L and 1R

Voice of America, which has been airing news to Ethiopia in language for more than 27 years, is proud to offer our listeners in Ethiopia this new way of getting the best of Ethiopian and international news.

Press Release