Ethiopian gov’t pays China 26billion birr to block sites, media

      

Ethiopian gov’t pays China 26billion birr to block sites, media (ETHSAT)

The Ethiopian government has paid China $1.2 Billion (26 Billion Birr) for the later to block websites and media that the regime considers “critical and a danger” to its administration, a reliable source in the Ethiopian Internet Security told ESAT.

 The two sides have agreed that the Website, Radio and Television transmission of Ethiopian Satellite Television and Radio (ESAT) should first be blocked of all. A decision has also been reached to block selected programs of the Voice of America Amharic Service and Deutsche Welle Amharic Service. Websites that are critical of the government are still inaccessible in Ethiopia.

 Although ESAT’s Website has been blocked in Ethiopia, its Radio and Television transmissions have been reaching Ethiopia for the past five months. Audiences in Ethiopia have been accessing ESAT by changing the directions of their Satellite Dishes. ESAT has also been receiving reports that some Ethiopian government officials have been taking actions after watching some of ESAT’s reports.

 In related News, in an attempt of restraining the condemnation and pressures of change that it has been facing on Facebook, the Ethiopian government is preparing to apply a new blocking technology that it dubs “RESAW”. If the pilot scheme succeeds, there are possibilities that the government could block all connections in Facebook. Although there have been attempts to apply the new technology since last month, it has not been successful.

 Ethiopian government officials whom ESAT phoned to get their opinion on the issue were unreachable.