Bahrain has installed new technology to try and prevent criminals from disrupting programmes on Bahrain Television (BTV).

The Information Affairs Authority (IAA) announced the introduction of an anti-jamming system after the broadcaster was reportedly targeted nearly 70 times in the last two weeks.

IAA president Shaikh Fawaz bin Mohammed Al Khalifa said the government body would take "all necessary legal and administrative measures to protect its commercial, financial and technical rights".

BTV broadcasts via satellite provider Nilesat and sources earlier told our sister newspaper, the Gulf Daily News, specific interference that affected the channel at peak viewing hours over a two-day period earlier this month had originated from outside Bahrain.

"The Bahrain bouquet has been jammed more than 67 times since September 6," revealed IAA technical affairs acting director Shaima'a Al Hamed.

Shaikh Fawaz hailed Bahraini technicians for overcoming the jamming problem in "record time" and officials said the new anti-jamming system would ensure the smooth running of BTV's channels without interruption.

It has reportedly undergone rigorous testing over a two-day period and has been deemed to be effective.

The IAA also announced that channel frequencies have been changed to prevent a repeat of the disruption. – TradeArabia News Service