Lhasa authorities crack down on illegal use of satellite dishes

Chinese authorities this month began searching homes in the Tibetan capital Lhasa to determine whether Tibetans are accessing foreign TV and radio programs via satellite dishes, city police and two Tibetans with knowledge of the situation said. .

Broadcasting offices in the Tibet Autonomous Region, including Lhasa, together with the police investigated all homes on June 8 and 9 for illegal satellite broadcasts, according to an announcement on the Lhasa police website. So far, the authorities have confiscated some 50 satellite dishes.

In 2009, the Chinese government provided every household in Lhasa with a government-approved satellite dish, giving residents access to only a limited number of state-controlled programs.

It is illegal for Tibetans to access or watch broadcasts other than state-sanctioned programs via satellite.

“The satellite dishes in these homes were installed by the Chinese government, and the satellite only has access to state-controlled programs, which are very limited,” said a Tibetan who lives in Lhasa, declining to be identified to speak freely.

“Tibetans cannot buy other satellite dishes or pay to watch other channels that have access to other news and information,” the source said. “It’s considered illegal.”

The authorities say they have taken the measure to ensure harmony and stability in Tibet, and that investigations will continue.

But Tibetans view the move as another way the Chinese government is preventing them from accessing outside information and restricting their communication.

“This operation is part of a government crackdown on satellite equipment used by Tibetans to tune in to foreign news and programs, and the tracking of Tibetans’ cell phones to monitor their communication with the outside world,” said Pema Gyal, a researcher. Tibetan at Tibet Watch, a London-based monitoring and advocacy group.

Before checking private homes, Lhasa authorities clamped down on the use of satellite dishes in hotels and guest houses, said another Tibetan who declined to be named for the same reason.

Although government-installed satellite dishes only show state programs, foreign programs can sometimes be picked up, the source said.

“However, it depends on the person’s maneuvering skills to do that and not get caught,” added the Tibetan.

Translated by Tenzin Dickyi for RFA Tibetan. Edited by Roseanne Gerin and Malcolm Foster.