China Involved in ESAT Jamming
The satellite transmission of an Ethiopian broadcaster ESAT has successfully been jammed by Ethiopia’s Information Network Security Agency(INSA). According to information obtained by Addis Neger, INSA has received material and technical assistance for the jamming from the Chinese government.
(by Addis Neger Addis Ababa Contributors)
The satellite transmission of an Ethiopian broadcaster ESAT has successfully been jammed by Ethiopia’s Information Network Security Agency(INSA). According to information obtained by Addis Neger, INSA has received material and technical assistance for the jamming from the Chinese government.
Information received by Addis Neger reveals that INSA started preparing for jamming the station two days after ESAT announced its launch date. Prime Minister Meles Zenawi ordered the agency “to do everything to stifle or limit” broadcasting by the station, which the prime minister in his letter to INSA said was owned by Brehanu Nega. Assistance was sought from the Chinese government after INSA tried local jamming equipments. In mid May, a 700MW Chinese manufactured jammer was brought to Ethiopia. It was installed at the agency’s facility which is located at the Sar Bet area. Satellite images obtained by Addis Neger show the location of the jammer.
The machine was put to use almost immediately and successfully jammed ESAT for a few days. ESAT increased its signal strength and was able to be back on air. INSA responded by increasing interference capacity, successfully jamming the station. Chinese technical assistance has been on hand throughout this process. The equipment was provided by China on a long term loan agreement.
Backed both by the US and China, INSA was established to safeguard government information systems from security threats. But it is also used to monitor e-mail communications, filter opposition websites, jam TV and radio signals and monitor wire transfers. Addis Neger learnt that in the past few months, INSA has increased its capacity for generative/non-reactive information warfare. This may involve hacking the communication of opposition party leaders and activists living overseas, according to our trusted sources
(More to come)
I love this. So much. As I am sometimes critical of the posts on addis neger, especially , when you write about TPLF officers. In any case this is a very good information.
So my first question for the ESAT ppl was that didn’t they expect this to happen when they start the program. I hope any one who knows about TPLF , should with out a doubt know this. And I am deadly sure that unless there is any other mechanism to do the transmission, which cannot be jammed, then there will not be any way that the woyane junta will allow it.
Because the reason is simple, if the people gets some refreshing news about freedom and democracy from guys like Dr Birhanu Nega , then woyane cannot last even a month. Then know it. So as the EAST can be a very strategic tool to mobilize the people to start fighting for freedom and democracy, the means to provide this TV program is steep slop to climb.
May God bless that Poor nation of Ours
diaspora……can you hear me now?…..lol….esat ..can you hear me now?…..you will be removed accordingly….hate mongers and burger warriors aint got no plan for the renaissance of the country so we got to get them lose….keep your programs to the diaspora…
In perfect world, this ain’t suppose to happen but, as we governed by tyranny, this has been the fate of the country. They-eprdfites- wouldn’t let the country’s people to have their basic right fulfilled. I am speechless, as always, and confused which ways are left to be a democratic nation. It’s just another sad news for those who strive another choices to get the much needed information about everything whats happening in and out of the country. Though, I wasn’t sure about Esat, about their neutrality and fairness.
It is surprise to hear the things that are in the woyane back yard, and rather sham to the so called democratic leader Gashe Melese Zenawi. Is it also the peoples’ voice? to jamme VOA, DW and ESAT.
Woyane always bost and keep on talking about the road and school that he built, but the colonist did it far better.
I suggest we should put some pressure on the the owners of ARABSAT to stop carrying Woyane’s station, the so called ETV on their satelite broadcasts until they stop jamming any station that is on air.
The other alternative left would be, if as Woyane alleges ESAT is owned by Berhanu and Berhanu’s Group claims to believe in all forms of struggle including armed struggle (I myself am not for it) the SAR BIET installation should be considered one military target to be taken out or sabotaged.
am really sorry for those who are broad casting by ESAT ……….they are serving the interest of DR.birhanu nega rather than mother land ethiopia ,who once say ethiopia needs peace but now advocating armed struggle. he is living a confortable life their but try to make innocent ethiopians to fight ..i think this is not fear…
We need to put pressure on China. We need to moblize our people to stop buying their products until they stop helping EPRDF in jamming ESAT and blocking free websits. As of today I will not buy any Chinese products. How about you?
hahahaha…why dont you also boycott american and european products? they also support EPRDF,ugh? You are so led by emotions you dont even think once before you write.I feel sorry for you.
So, the jamming capacity is one of the areas of the carrot like “developmental achievements” that our dear government is boasting about. Good job woyanes, I mean good job for your end! For Ethiopians, shame on us for letting ourselves be dragged into such a situation, shame on us the educated for letting our people down, shame on us the well-offs for letting down our poor people, shame on us all!!! But I don’t stop here, let’s do very simple things that add up, such as support ESAT, boycott ETV (what do we loose any ways).
Hi EPRDF, Is it the the sign of free press?
ESAT is rightly a national security concern. It is one of Dr. Berhanu’s instruments of so called “all rounded” war. The couple of times I watched it, Dr. Berhanu was talking non stop until he runs out of ideas about his planned coup d’etat. Don’t forget that he is a convicted fugitive. Any democracy would take the same action as the government of Ethiopia provided the facts alleged in the news are true.
“Any democracy would take the same action…blah, blah”
That is a stupid, stupid lie!
Why don’t you just tell us how you and your cadres are scared shit of a politically conscious society?
Is there any chemist in the house? Question is directed to militant elements of the opposition. The jammer is located near sar bet area. Go blow it up!!
700MW !!!
R u sure?!?!?
That would use up most of electricity in Ethiopia.
I am die-hard supporter of EPRDF-by policy(I am not a Tigre nor am I even a rif-raf member of EPRDF), but I am also so disappointed to hear this news (if it is true , not a propaganda of the “sources” of AN against the Ethiopian Gov’t). The best solution is to let the transmission from ESAT get to every Ethiopian home and let the Ethiopian people decide how shallow, baseless and useless (or deep, pragmatic & useful – depending on which side you are )is the information that ESAT elites(the “chosen” few) are disseminating. But one thing is for sure: not every one who tunes to ESAT is a critical thinker who is able to analyze how subliminally mischievous (or “Honest”) their agenda is, but that is what the government afraid of _ I think- . But I would say, TEACH THE PEOPLE, by presenting counter arguments against the ideas of the ESAT group and prepare for the bitter ideological battle with those who are behind the curtains of the ESAT studio by trying to “expose” THE SUBLIMINAL NEO-ETHICIST(OR “NATIONALIST AND PATRIOTIC”-depending how U view their side) IDEOLOGIES OF ESAT PEOPLE NOT JUST JAM IT.
Fit lefit qerbo IDEOLOGiyachewn fursh madreg new yemishalew!!! Mezgatu yemiyametaw neger binor ….”Yetesereke yitafital” ye milewn new!!! yebelete iwnetegna yasmesilachewal!!!
@araya,
I am really inrerested to give answer to you because you honestly said that u are supporter of woyane(Sorry, EPRDF, “with ur formal name). In any case u said that u would prefer ur bosses to allow ESAT go and let the people see the shallowness of the diaspora opposition . However u said that u r afraid of the thinking ability of the people that they may be easily mobilized and start to hurt u.
Two things
1. To take a positive initiative of letting ESAT go on the air. Well this works for an honest government who thinks for the good of the people.However TPLF only thinks how they can stay in power for a day, for a month, for a year…
and if there is any thing that treatnes this then they will take everything at their disposal, including the very cruel thing of taking away human lives so brutally. So do u expect that we can buy your argument . Not at all. TPLF is not in the same catagory as peoples party rahter it is a shameful association of ethiopian haters.
2. on the fact that u r afraid of the thinking ability of the people that they may be easily mobilized and start to hurt u. Well u are half right in here. You are right that the people can be mobilized easily and start to hurt u if they get the opportunity to tell them that TPLF is a shallow party which is not as strong as people may have thought. Once u get to the street and ask your freedom, then they will definiatly freak out and leave the minilik palace. However you are deadly wrong that the thinking level of the people is so poor that they can be easily mobilized even with false information. There is no people like ours who is capable of analizing things up to the level of letting even woyane ruling the nation just for the sake of avoiding catastoph to Ethiopia and until a party which the people can fully relay comes. The people knows everything. Dont fool yourself by considering the people like that
I am done .
God bless our nation , ethiopia!!!
You said “….However you are deadly wrong that the thinking level of the people is so poor that …….”. I never said that. In fact, this is exactly the problem of small group of frustrated people like you and the ESAT. You deliberately skew what has been said and you assume that people are not intelligent enough to understand your propaganda and you can get away with it. People like you and others in diaspora try to look like “Populist” by sugar coating their poisonous ideas. I said “….NOT EVERY ONE who tunes to ESAT is a critical thinker …”
Dereje,
I am always amused by people like you who want things blown up for them and yet want to have nothing to do with it. The hypocrisy makes me sick. But I do agree with your suggestion.
Anyway, 700MW is about right. They say it takes a lot of electricity to jam a satellite transmission. They are wasting electricity (money); they are wasting money and they are depriving people of alternative information. When will we say enough is enough?
I support the Jamming of ESAT as it appeared to be the voice of frustrated diaspora who have nothing to go home back. Their intention is to create havoc. I start liking the regime b/c it’s better than all the so-called activists, bloggers & fronts.
TO Admin
I think 700MW power is not feasible.Even All the Ethiopian Power plants may not generate this much.
It is shame for the leader party (called himself democrat) and the country too. It is against ‘free press’ law in which case the gov’t shouting everyday that there is a free press in ethiopia. Authocrat leaders will fell down to hell soon.
Wey China.
I think we need to protest against the Chinese Embassy in our respective countries of residence for being the accomplice and perpetrators of the stifling of dissent.This is really unfair.
Addis Neger’s this is what we call a real investigative bona fide developmental journalism.
Too bad that is the meaning of INSA & the govt.
The TPLF fanatics have come of ages to present themselves and the country they occupy as democratic as any truly democratic government. To them true lies become the truth and they try to portray themselves as the defenders of the country. This is in the face of the history of their war gainst a country for their regional independence. You cannot change your color. Yes, you have been able to use the opportunity the circumstances provided you, but just remember that you are worse than the Mengistu regime in the eye of many Ethiopians. The opposition groups have to come to terms to bring you down to earth. Your arrogance will eventually help galvanize our people.
I was really wondering who this TV station belongs to. First I was thinking it is woyanes and they want to cause confusion, then I thought it was Eritreans, now it looks like that it belongs to Dr Berhanu (Genbot 7). I doubted Genbot 7 but now I understand that they are doing everything they can to bring democracy to Ethiopia. Having an alternative TV must have been our God given right. I will join Genbot 7 and will help you in any way I can. I will also support ESAT. God bless Ethiopia!!! Death to anti-Ethiopian!!!
Well, China is one of the greatest threats for the existence of Liberty and Democracy in the 21st century, especially in this great country of ours. It seems we (in Ethiopia) have no better TV station but to stick with the baseless, ethic less, biased, non professional ETV God I hate that station!!
I saw Dr Brhanu Nega’s interview, he didn’t hate TPLF like “I hate them sort of manner” but rather he was critical and professional he proved how ridiculous they are. He was signifying the inner structural problems of the party; I felt I was being lectured by top economics professor. ESAT might be opposing the status quo but one thing for sure is, it is way more critical and articulate than ETV.
So we are living in a country where there is no newspaper to read, radio station to listen, and TV station to watch, it is my great belief this would come to an end. Who would have thought Haile Selasie would be toppled down, or Derg or the regime of Charles Taylor or Mubutu Se Seko, who would have thought apartheid will be thrown out, it was unthinkable however it was achieved. One thing I want to recall is they didn’t succeed only by wishing, it was made possible by tough scarification and commitment. We all need to do our home works to save this great country from thugs!!
CHAWO CHAWO ESAT we don’t need u
Hmmmmmm. Really? You must be then someone enjoying ETV! But I don have words to express how much I HATE ETV. Am sure there are lots and lots of others, except the likes of you, who do hate ETV. Enjoy ETV then, man!! (or Woman!!)
Primarily kids who were students of, as they love to call it MIT(Mekele Institute of Technology) are programmers and engineers of INSA. You can find many now in America and Europe studying paid by the government (if you meet kids mostly from Tigray studying computer science anywhere you easily identify them, a friend of mine who is on his post doc in europe was asking about about 12 tigrayan students out of 14 in the area he is currently working in europe, and another one was talking about MUM in Iowa)
ETC used to keep not lessthan 2000 special 99% tigrayan workforce, who were not accountable to anything and anybody…about whom people used to speculate as a future workforce when Tele would be presumabley “privatized”, at least part of it and join the EPRD conglomeration…
There were also others in teraining in Israel, in China…and the ICT and ETC board chief was never lousy in this regard….
so much effort, money, talent…sacrificed by sick rullers instaed of at least improving the sorry ethio-net service, everybody knows it is not an internet and nothing should be blamed withthe exception of sociophatic ruller’s hate…for everything regarding Ethiopia and Ethiopians
Folks ,
700MW is radio frequency not potental voltage
The stupidity of TPLF is bottomless. They think they will win the jamming war. Any user with a sattelite uplink equipment can jam any sattelite broadcast bbu when they do it as a government, they are liable. Sattelite broadcasting is covered under the rules of the ITU. Any govenment that engages in such activity can be punsihed by the ITU. This can include bannong all Ethiopian govenrmnet owned programming and broadcasting from the being carried by commercial sattelites. This can include telecommunication services. Since they can do as they wish in Ethiopia they think they can do the same everywhere else. ETV broadcast to Europe and North America was jammed for a few days. One can never tell whether they jammed their own service out of ignorance or some one else is also preparing to do to them what they are trying to do to ESAT. One way or the other ESAT broadcasting is going to make it into Ethiopia. TPLF is showing its true color by the day.
This goes to show the so-called opposition is no match for the well-organized and effective Meles group!! Can anyone here tell me a capable and articulate individual within the opposition? The few you often mention are just “office lions” and don’t measure up to the task ahead. Has anyone ever taken time to check what Tigrayan “intellectuals” are upto lately? All you need to do is take time to read what they write on!!
maraki,you are in your day dream,ESAT will be back harder and will be “YEGERE WUSETE ESATE TO TPLF” soon.
It is expected that both China and USA could be involved in this. The most sad thing is that Woyane is spending so much public resource to prolong its life. All Ethiopians should start focusing on China, it is a very real and dangerous enemy. All Ethiopians should be well aware that the Chinese are behind all their plight and suppression
“both China and USA could be involved in this….” ” ……All Ethiopians should start focusing on China…..”? Why only china? Do you live in the USA? Are a diaspora who is always with double standard?
Has the jammer really 700MW capacity ?
It sounds unrealistic,but if that was the case that would be very expensive for the country indeed.
No doubt the woyanes are spending hundreds of millions dollars annually for security related reasons such as espionage and jamming in addition to what they spend for the army.
And this could explain why the debt of the regime has skyrockted from about 27 billion birr a year ago to some 65 billion birr this year,as we learnt from government sources.
Comrades,this is an alarming situation.
We have to destroy the regime before it destroys us.
There is nothing this cash-strapped desperate regime would not do to stay in power, even selling half of the country’s arable land to foreigners.
By the way the Chinese sell Satellite Tv Jammers,and deliver within 7 days.
http://www.tradeeasy.com/supplier/626543/products/p1090499/satellite-tv-jammer.html
thats what we expect from a stup government.80million people having only a single channal (ETV) \. THIS WHAT THEY WANT. Sorry for us. sorry for africa! the last stage of dictatorship is chosing the kind of knowledge for your people. this is really unconstitutional by any means!
so what should we do ? THE YOUNG GENERATION IS STARVING FROM SERIOUS LACK OF INFORMATION.
The Dear Leader(aka Mr Zenawi) is always right! I don’t know why people here question his absolute authority and decisions! Don’t you think that is tantamount to subversion and treason? LONG LIVE THE DEAR LEADER!!
Just like tplf is enforcing its ethno-based rules the opposition has to find ways to carry out its ideas. One way of doing this is by making sure to provide services to its supporters. We need to work on better alternatives that the user would seek to get it at all costs. Then and only then we would be able to win the war at all fronts.
Woyanne has been drilling Ethiopians in and out, the most we do is complain. How come the media do not put out the names and identity of Woyanes who are operating on behalf of the regime here in the good old USA to get them deported or sent to jail for violating the law? They are foreign government agents and should be treated as such as the law requires. They break the law here and noting happen to them.
Woyanne declared war on us long ago we just did not fight back. The time has come to fight back. No small time hoodlums should run millions of Ethiopians in to poverty, war and division. Organize or join any group to fight back.
Jamming media stations is the tip of the iceberg in what Woyanne does. Right in our backyard the cadres are doing their dirty job without a challenge.
It was nice to read everybody’s comment here. I think it’s time to fight them back. Freedom is not free. We have to excel the so called “MIT” kids. why not you guys start organizing a task force which can fight back this war on information and free-media. Let us say enough is enough!!