§ Lord Aveburyasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they will propose to other member states of the Council of Europe that an investigation be conducted into the jamming of satellite transmissions, contrary to the European Community's Television without Frontiers Directive. [HL3519]
§ Lord McIntosh of HaringeyThe Television without Frontiers Directive does not include provisions on jamming. However, the European Convention on Transfrontier Television (to which the UK is party) includes such provisions. Under the terms of the convention, states parties may seek arbitration from the standing committee overseeing the convention in respect of any alleged violation. Her Majesty's Government have no plans to seek arbitration. As indicated in my reply to the noble lord, Lord Hylton, however, the Government will consider any action which may be appropriate in the light of independent verification of the jamming of Med-TV, including possible action under the convention.
§ Lord Hyltonasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they will investigate the renewed interference, which began on 9 October, affecting news and discussion programmes on Med-TV which broadcasts to the Middle East in Kurdish, Turkish, Arabic and Assyrian, with a view to upholding the freedom of transnational communications. [HL3421]
§ Lord McIntosh of HaringeyThe Government are concerned about any jamming of transmissions that have been authorised under the wireless telegraphy legislation of a member of the International Telecommunications Union and agreed internationally.
41WAThe Government understand that Med-TV has commissioned research to locate the origin of the interference to its broadcasts, and whether it is affecting an uplink signal from the UK or from another country. Once the country of origin has been independently verified, the Government will better understand what action it may be appropriate to take.