NCA shuts down Sunyani-based Space FM

The National Communication Authority (NCA) has shut down Sunyani-based pro-government radio station Space FM in compliance with the ruling of the Electronic Communication Tribunal.

The shutdown of 87.7 FM in the Bono regional capital comes on the heels of similar shutdowns of Accra-based pro-opposition stations Radio Gold and Radio XYZ.

The NCA in an earlier statement explained that 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 Authorisations and which ruled among others that the companies whose authorisation had expired freshly apply for them. 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 Communication Authority (NCA) is enforcing the shutdown of FM radio stations that are operating without authorisation”, the statement said.

In all, thirty one radio stations will be shut down in the next four weeks by the NCA for operating without authorisation.

Source: Ghana/otecfmghana.com