Abebe Gellaw
ESAT News (July 4, 2017)
The Ethiopian Satellite Television and Radio (ESAT) has urged its supporters and all freedom-loving Ethiopians to mobilize against the intensifying efforts by the TPLF-led regime to disrupt and interfere with its satellite and radio transmissions to Ethiopia.
Abebe Gellaw, Executive Director of ESAT, said that a recent multi-million dollars deal by Eutelsat and the regime’s spy agency, the Information Network Security Agency (INSA), is one of the disconcerting and disturbing moves that needs to be condemned.
“Eutelsat’s decision to allow one of the most repressive regimes in the world and well-known enemy of press freedom to have a leverage in satellite broadcasts is totally reprehensible that has put money before the universal values of free expression and human rights,” Gellaw said.
Eutelsat is reportedly one of a few satellite companies that have dropped ESAT’s transmissions without any good cause in the past. According to ESAT management, the regime not only jams its transmissions constantly but also commits tortious interference using financially rewarding deals as an incentive.
Abebe indicated that Ethiopians will soon launch a concerted global campaign in tandem with international human rights organizations against any efforts to interfere with ESAT’s broadcasts. He called on freedom loving Ethiopians to resist attacks against freedom of expression and the protection of human rights.
The director invited Ethiopians gathered for the annual ESFNA sports event in Seattle to come discuss the challenges as well as seek solutions on Thursday, July 6, at Doubletree Hotel, on 16500 Southcenter Parkway. ESAT event will be held from 2pm to 6pm.