The National Communications Authority (NCA) has indicated that some television stations will soon be taken off air for violating the terms and conditions of their authorizations pending the outcome of an ongoing spectrum audit.
According to the NCA, it was still undergoing a review of all violating media and communication houses and will inform them to take the necessary action or have their licenses revoked.
Nana Dufie Badu, Head of consumer and Corporate Affairs made this known in a discussion on an Accra-based FM station.
She explained that the current processes ongoing at the NCA which has so far led to the sanctioning of some radio stations in the country were not targeted at any particular company or service but defaulting ones who starve the state of revenue.
NCA Friday sanctioned 131 radio stations out of which 34 had their licenses withdrawn for violating various aspects of their authorization.
A statement issued by the NCA said, the 34 FM broadcasting stations had been operating illegally over the years after their licenses expired.
"They had also failed to apply for renewal 3 months before the expiry of existing Authorisation and as stipulated in their Authorisation. This section of FM broadcasting stations responded to the notice but had requested for extension of time to regularise their operations, which the NCA found unacceptable and declined,†the statement added.
According to Nana Dufie ,the NCA had written to inform the media houses of their indebtedness and authorisation infractions, however only a few complied and the rest declined.
She said although the NCA had been very tough in asserting its regulatory rights, the action became necessary when the NCA had to make an appearance at the Public Accounts Committee of Parliament to answer questions on its operations.
She explained that:"The authorisation has terms and conditions which you are supposed to comply with and some of these include a renewal of your authorisation every 5 years, you must have your spectrum and regulatory fees paid and also ensure your equipments are inspected by NCA".
She added that flouting FM stations taken off air were aware of the terms and conditions of their authorisations and that the onus was on them to ensure compliance with the terms and conditions of their authorisation."
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