Updated

European broadcast officials say Syria and Iran appear to be behind the deliberate signal-jamming that has interrupted news delivered by satellite into parts of the Middle East.

The Geneva-based European Broadcasting Union alliance says the jamming that began last week is an attack on the independence of news organizations.

It said in a statement Monday that the targeted jamming cut off radio and television content by broadcasters including the BBC, France 24, Deutsche Welle and the Voice of America.

European satellite operator Eutelsat reports that the "deliberate and intermittent interference" originated from Syria and Iran.

EBU Director General Ingrid Deltenre says the jamming incidents are an "attack on media freedom" because they deny people access to information, a universal human right and an essential component for democracy.