Radio Gold, XYZ were operating illegally- NCA

 
The National Communications authority (NCA) says Radio Gold and Radio XYZ were operating illegally in Accra hence the closure, debunking initial rumors of political “hands”.
The NCA on Thursday shut down Radio Gold 90.5 FM and Radio XYZ 93.1 FM,both based in Accra.
Read also:  NCA shuts down Radio Gold, Radio XYZ
Addressing Journalists at the Ministry of Information Thursday evening, Director General for NCA, Joe Anokye explained that the shutdown of these two stations was the first phase of the ongoing exercise by the NCA and not a deliberate attempt by his outfit. “The second phase will commence tomorrow”, he said.
Asked why the NCA started the exercise with Radio gold, XYZ both affiliated to the NDC, and on the very day the Chairman of the Party, Ofosu Ampofo declined a call by the CID to assist investigations on the recent kidnappings and fire incidents, Director General for NCA, Joe Anokye, stated that the two stations were the only defaulters in Accra operating “Illegally”.
According to him, the licenses of these two stations expired in 2000 and 2016 respectively.
He explained that following the NCA’s FM Spectrum Audit in 2017, some stations including radio gold and xyz were found to be in default and were fined by the Authority.
He said that some of the stations in default were not satisfied and proceeded to the various courts; Electronic Communications Tribunal (ECT) and the High Court to appeal against the NCA’s decision.
He noted that the appeal resulted in a decision by the ECT in 2018 which reviewed the status of expired FM Radio Broadcasting Authorisations and which ruled among others that Companies whose authorisations had expired reverted to the same position as a fresh applicant. While some stations shut down following this decision, others did not.
Also Speaking at the press briefing, Minister for Information, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah mentioned that revoking the licenses of these two stations was not in any way an infringement on the freedom of the press.
Ghana | Atinkaonline.com | Vivian Adu Boatemaa