Iran: BBC Persian staff face intimidation

03 Feb 12 | Index Index, Middle East and North Africa, minipost

BBC’s Persian TV service has faced further intimidation in Iran. It has been reported that relatives of BBC staff in London have been detained and threatened by Iranian intelligence agents; top presenters have been targeted by rumours; and one employee has subjected to an online interrogation in London after a family member in Iran was jailed.

Since its launch in 2009 channel has suffered jamming and deliberate attempts to interfere with its signal. Tensions between Britain and Iran have worsened in recent weeks, with British regulator Ofcom revoking Iranian state broadcaster Press TV’s UK licence last month  for breaching the Communications Act.

Iran jams BBC Persian Television

11 Feb 11 | Index Index, Middle East and North Africa, minipost

Iran has jammed the BBC’s Persian Television service following its coverage of political unrest in Egypt. The electronic signal jamming satellites carrying the BBC signal has been traced back to Iran. BBC Persia has being carrying extensive rolling coverage of the Egyptian protests. The channel has suffered from intermittent attempts to interfer with it signal ever since its 2009 launch.