BREAKING NEWS: NCA shuts down Radio Gold and Radio XYZ

National Communications Authority (NCA) has shut down Radio Gold and Radio XYZ. The two radio stations are believed to be affiliates of the strongest opposition National Democratic Congress. The two radio stations have been off since Thursday afternoon.

This all of a sudden shut down happened after the two radio stations were according to sources were visited by the National Communications Authority who went to the stations along with police personnel.

This has been confirmed by some workers at the XYZ radio to Starr News.

These events are unfolding at a time when the National Chairman Mr Samuel Ofosu Ampofo has been invited by the police relating to some alleged crimes.

Explanations emanating from the National Communications Authority (NCA) indicates that the two stations were shut down because they failed to comply with the ruling of the ECT.

Below is the full explanation from the National Communications Authority (NCA) on the subject matter

Radio stations operating without valid authorizations as determined by the 2017 FM Broadcasting Audit are being shut down with immediate effect as enforcement action in view of the decision of the Electronic Communications Tribunal.

Following the FM Spectrum Audit in 2017, some stations were found to be in default and were fined by the Authority. However, 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.

This resulted in a decision by the ECT in 2018 which reviewed the status of expired FM Radio Broadcasting Authorizations 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.

To this end, and in line with Regulations 65 (1) of the Electronic Communications Regulations, 2011, L. I. 1991, which states that “A person shall not use a radio frequency without authorisation from the Authority” the National Communications Authority (NCA) is enforcing the shutdown of FM radio stations who are operating without authorisation.

It should be noted that, as ruled by the ECT, submission of renewal application after the expiry of authorisation is not a valid application and therefore shall not be considered by the Authority.

While companies affected by this shut down may submit fresh applications to the Authority if they so wish, these applications shall go through the required procedure for new FM Broadcasting Authorisation and the outcome will be communicated to the applicants.

The general public is also informed that entities are only authorised to use frequencies for a specific duration or period. Frequencies are national assets and not the properties of users as they are not assigned to users in perpetuity.

The Authority takes this opportunity to encourage all license and authorisation holders to ensure compliance with the various terms of their licences and authorisations, and as well the relevant regulations.

A visit to Radio Gold online currently revealed that all the network is doing is to play music. Newsghana24.com will keep you updated with news on this as it unfolds.