NFFE protests Chinese authorities' jamming of radio signal

(NFFE/IFEX) - The NFFE has expressed concern over stepped-up efforts by the Chinese authorities to interrupt the "Voice of Tibet" (VOT) signal. According to information from the VOT Foundation, in Oslo, Norway, high-ranking Chinese officials stated that the VOT "should be silenced once and for all."

The VOT Foundation is a non-governmental organisation providing daily radio programmes in Tibetan and Mandarin languages, with an administrative office in Oslo and a main editorial office in India. VOT's daily radio service, focusing mainly on Tibetan related issues, is beaming its signal on short wave to most parts of Asia, with Tibet and China as the main target area. In addition, the signal is clearly audible in Europe and elsewhere when not jammed.

Background Information

Since starting the Mandarin language service in late 1999, VOT has faced increasing efforts by the Chinese authorities to interrupt the VOT signal. The jamming by China has increased to an unprecedented level this year, with China using all means to block VOT's signal and prevent citizens from accessing unbiased information. Towards this purpose, the Chinese authorities have produced distorted high frequency sounds which are being aired over VOT's signal. VOT is an independent station providing unbiased news and information to a region where free speech is denied. It sees the Chinese jamming efforts as confirmation of the fact that unbiased information and facts about Tibet are not tolerated by the central authorities in Beijing, who are breaking international agreements and treaties, which require them to make radio programmes available to the Tibetan and Chinese people. VOT has received reports from meetings in both Lhasa and Beijing, where high-ranking officials stated that the VOT "should be silenced once and for all" and that the money needed to do so will be made available.

Due to very limited financial resources, VOT can only afford to beam its signal on a maximum of two simultaneous frequencies. VOT broadcasts simultaneously on meter band 19 and 13 in the evenings (8:15 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., Beijing time), making slight frequency changes regularly to avoid jamming. According to numerous reports from inside Tibet, listeners have gotten used to searching in order to find VOT's signal on the radio. All the frequencies used by VOT are registered under VOT and cannot be used by other stations.

Other radio stations, especially Radio Free Asia and Voice of America (Mandarin/Chinese and Tibetan short wave services), have also experienced Chinese efforts to block their signal. VOT and its many listeners in Tibet, who see VOT as a lifeline to the free world, feel the jamming is severely threatening the very existence of the service.

Recommended Action

Send appeals to the president:

- protesting China's continuous jamming of the VOT radio service

- requesting an explanation for China's illegal actions

- noting that the jamming by China is a serious breach of international agreements and treaties

- calling on China to stop breaking these international agreements and treaties immediately

Appeals To

Jiang Zemin

President

People's Republic of China

Central Committee Zhongnanhai Xi Cheng Qu

Beijing, People's Republic of China

c/o: The Chinese Embassy in your country

In Canada, appeals can be sent to:

Embassy of the People's Republic of China

Ambassador Mei Ping

515 Patrick St.

Ottawa, Ontario

K1B 5H3

Fax: +1 613 789 1911/789 1414

Please copy appeals to the source if possible.