The Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) has lauded President John Dramani Mahama for intervening to suspend the planned revocation of frequency authorisation for 64 radio stations across the country by the National Communications Authority (NCA).
The NCA had announced that the affected stations were guilty of various regulatory breaches, including operating without valid authorisation, failing to renew licences, exceeding transmission limits, and defaulting on authorisation fee payments. In response, the regulator moved to suspend the operations of the defaulting stations.
However, President Mahama directed the Minister for Communications, Digital Technology and Innovation to liaise with the NCA to halt the enforcement action. His intervention, according to the GJA, has helped reduce growing tension within the media landscape.
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In a statement issued on Friday, the GJA noted that the closure of 64 stations, despite their infractions, would have caused serious damage to the electronic media space — including mass job losses and disruption of essential public services.
“We agree with the President that shutting down the radio stations may seriously undermine media freedom and freedom of expression,” the Association said.
While emphasising that it does not condone regulatory violations, the GJA praised President Mahama for showing clemency, saying it demonstrates a government committed to media pluralism and freedom of expression.
The Association called on the affected media houses to take advantage of the moratorium to regularise their operations in full compliance with the law. It further urged the NCA to ensure fairness and transparency in its regulatory enforcement processes.
To promote accountability and public trust, the GJA also called on the NCA to publish the compliance status of all radio and television stations in the country, including ownership details and dates of regulatory certification.
The Association reiterated its support for regulatory compliance but cautioned against measures that may “stifle the flow of information or unduly penalise media houses,” advocating for broader dialogue between the regulator and stakeholders.
Below is a copy of the statement:
Source: Ghana/Starrfm.com.gh/Risa Wyettey Cofie
