The Ghana Independent Broadcasters Association (GIBA), has called for a review of the National Communications Authority, NCA’s penalties for defaulting media houses which fail to renew their licenses or pay their regulatory fees.
The call by the association follows the shutdown of Radio Gold and Radio XYZ, by the NCA a few days ago over claims they were operating without valid authorisation.
The action according to the NCA is an enforcement of the decision of the Electronic Communications Tribunal, which includes closing down radio stations operating without valid authorisation. Some have read political meaning into the closure of the radio stations, with management of Radio Gold contesting the basis for the shutdown.
They indicated that they had engaged the NCA to correct the challenge with their license.
Speaking on GBC’s Current Affairs Programme, “Talking Point”, Executive Council member of GIBA, Prince Hari Crystal, said the penalty of paying up to ¢10,000 per day of defaulting, is too harsh and must be reviewed.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZgP64Aao81U
The Director, Consumer and Corporate Affairs at NCA, Nana Defie Badu, said 35 other stations have been closed down across the country.
Lawyer and lecturer at the Ghana Institute of Journalism, Zakaria Tanko Musah said while the NCA works to ensure compliance, it must bear in mind Article 12 of the Constitution, so it does not create the impression that its actions are targeted at pro-opposition media houses.
