NCA cracks the whip; sanctions 131 radio stations

The National Communications Authority (NCA) has sanctioned 131 radio stations for violating certain aspects of the Electronics Communications Act (2009), Act 775.

Thirty-four of the radio stations had their licences revoked because their authorisations had expired and they were operating illegally.

Twenty-one other broadcasting stations have had their authorisations revoked completely since their authorisation had expired over several years and they were operating illegally.

Furthermore,13 FM authorisation holders have been issued with reprieves as pertains to their authorisations.

A statement published on the website of the NCA last Thursday explained that the sanctions followed the completion of a nationwide FM spectrum audit conducted this year.

The audit was to determine compliance of authorisation holders with their authorisation conditions and to determine which FM stations were in operations or otherwise.

The FM Spectrum Audit, according to the statement, also formed part of a wider and ongoing audit of all services regulated by the NCA, including TV and internet service providers (ISP).

Act 775

Section 13 of the Electronics Communications Act (2009), Act 775 states, among others, that “the Authority may suspend or revoke a licence or a frequency authorisation where

(a) the  licence  or  the  authorisation  holder  has  failed  to  comply  materially  with  any  of  the provisions  of  this  Act,  Regulations or the terms and  conditions  of  its licence or frequency authorisation

(b) the  licensee  or  the  authorisation  holder  has  failed  to  comply  materially  with  a  lawful direction of the Authority

(c) the licensee or the authorisation holder is in default of payment of a fee or other money, charged or imposed in furtherance of this Act, the National Communications Authority Act, 2008 (Act 769) or Regulations Page 3 of  31

(d) the licensee ceases  to  (i)  operate the public communications  network,  (ii)  provide  the public electronic communications service, or (iii) use the frequency ban.

Breakdown

Eleven radio  stations  have  been  requested  to  pay  application  fees  for  renewal  of authorisation and to pay a fine in accordance with the NCA’s gazetted Schedule of Penalties for failure to apply three months before the expiry of Authorisation within 30 days.

Two radio stations have also been asked to submit renewal application within 30 days.

Sixteen radio stations have been asked to submit renewal application, pay application fees and pay a fine in accordance with the Authority’s gazetted schedule of penalties within 30 days.

Twenty-four radio stations are to submit omitted documents and pay a fine in accordance with the authority’s gazetted schedule of penalties within 30 days.

Fifteen radio stations will have their authorisation processed after payment of fines in accordance with the authority’s gazetted schedule of penalties.

One radio station is to settle its outstanding indebtedness before renewal of authorisation is considered.

Twenty radio stations will have to settle their provisional authorisation (renewal) fees which have been invalidated due to non-payment within 60 days to pay interest on due amount.

Eight radio stations have also been asked to pay a fine in accordance with the NCA’s gazette schedule of penalties before the authority conducts inspection as requested by the stations.

Additionally, the NCA has also granted one radio station an extension to set up, while two other radio stations have been authorised to commence test transmission.

Three others are to submit renewal applications within 90 days with seven radio stations having their provisional authorisation and final authorisation issued.

Affected stations have also been given 30 days to settle their indebtedness or submit the relevant documentations as indicated in the letters sent them by the NCA.

Regional breakdown and fines

Some of the stations in the Greater Accra Region are Radio XYZ, Atinka FM, Radio Gold and Atlantis Radio.

Radio XYZ has been slapped with a fine of GH¢4,090,000, while Atinka FM has been ordered to pay a fine of GH¢14,800,000.

Radio Gold and Atlantis Radio have been ordered to pay GH¢61,330,000 and GH¢ 60,350,000 respectively.

In the Ashanti Region, the following stations were among those which were sanctioned: Price FM, Dess FM, Hello FM, New Mighty Radio, Zuria FM.

New Mighty Radio and Zuria FM were slapped with a fine of GH¢37,820,000.

In the Brong Ahafo Region, only the Voice of Sene radio station was sanctioned.

Cape Coast FM and Kantinka FM Ltd in the Central Region are among the stations that have been fined.

In the Eastern Region, Akwatia FM was fined. Radform FM, in the Upper West, was also fined.

Radio Kitawoln and Northern Voice Radio Ltd in the Northern Region are among the stations that have been sanctioned.

From the Volta Region, Kaleawo FM and Radio Hogbe were slapped with a fine.