Angolan government rebukes church radio station

In its latest clash with Angola's independent media, the government accused a Roman Catholic radio station Monday of pursuing a policy of "broadcast terrorism" because it aired criticism of senior officials.

Media Minister Hendrik Vaal Neto said the Ecclesia radio station's program content was "unacceptable."

Ecclesia's air time is used "as a vehicle for outrage, defamation, and false and damaging propaganda against the country's public figures and institutions," Vaal Neto said in an interview on state-owned Radio Nacional de Angola.

He did not give examples of programs he deemed offensive.

However, some of Ecclesia's most popular programs are radio phone-ins which allow disgruntled members of the public to voice their opinion. Many level criticism at the government.

Foreign human rights groups and international press watchdog bodies have in recent years accused the government of trying to muzzle the media.

Ecclesia's senior editors were meeting Monday to discuss the minister's comments and were not immediately available for comment.

One year ago, the government accused Ecclesia of being "subversive." The radio station canceled its programing for 48 hours in protest.