US State Dept. to fund BBC for developing anti-jamming technology for problem countries

London, Mar 21 (ANI): The US State department would reportedly be giving a "significant" sum of money to the BBC World Service for its efforts to combat the blocking of TV and internet services in countries like Iran and China, and develop an anti-jamming technology and software to deal with such problems.

The funding is also expected to be used to educate people in countries with state censorship in how to bypass the blocking of internet and TV services, The Guardian reports.

BBC Persian television, which was launched in early 2009 and airs in Iran and its neighbouring countries, has experienced numerous instances of jamming. The BBC Arabic TV news service has also been jammed in recent weeks across various parts of north Africa during the recent uprisings in Egypt and Libya.

Jim Egan, the controller of strategy and business of the BBC World Service, has said that the deal is expected to be formally announced on International Press Freedom Day on May 3.

"Governments who have an interest in denying people information particularly at times of tension and upheaval are keen to do this and it is a particular problem now," Egan added. (ANI)