Minority to haul NCA before Parliament over Radio Gold, XYZ shutdown

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The Minority Leader has indicated he will file a motion to haul the National Communications Authority (NCA) before parliament to answer questions over the shutdown of some radio stations.

Haruna Iddrisu said the Authority needs to provide detailed information on the state of all radio stations in the country.

“Which other entities are guilty of these infractions?” the Tamale South MP quizzed on MultiTV/Joy FM’s news analysis programme Newsfile, Saturday.

His comment comes after NCA officials stormed the premises of the two station with armed security personnel and ordered their immediate closure on Thursday.

The shutdown is the latest move by the regulator to clamp down on radio stations operating without valid authorizations.

The action, according to the NCA, was an enforcement of the decision of the Electronic Communications Tribunal which includes closing down radio stations operating without valid authorisations.

Some affected radio stations, Radio Gold and Radio XYZ are contesting the basis for the shutdown.

The NCA’s action has widely been condemned by many including the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) which says the action has the tendency to undermine media freedom in the country and has called for an immediate review of that decision.

The Ghana Independent Broadcasters Association (GIBA) has also accused the Authority of high handedness. 

Legislator for the governing NPP, Dr Bernard Okoe Boye, has also criticised the decision by NCA to shut down two pro-opposition radio stations.

The Ledzokuku MP believes such a decision has the potential to cause disaffection for the Party and by extension, President Akufo-Addo.

“We don’t want a vicious cycle, let’s apply innovative ways…it is not government business to close or silence either radio stations or individuals but the way we go about can send a signal which is opposite,” the MP stated on Peace FM’s morning show ‘Kokrokoo’, Friday.

This, the Tamale South MP agrees. He goes ahead to describe the NCA as acting in such a “politically targeted” manner.

“The only way the NCA can explain is to demonstrate that they did same to other FM stations which are also affected or they are about to do same to other stations. 

“…At Parliament’s first sitting, I will file a question demanding all these details to enrich the jurisprudence of media practice in Ghana,” he added. 

Source: Ghana| Myjoyonline.com |Abubakar Ibrahim |abubakar.ibrahim@myjoyonline.com