Minister of Communications, Ursula Owusu-Ekuful, has rejected claims that the sanctions imposed on some radio stations by the National Communications Authority (NCA) are harsh.
The NCA is owed GHS1,223,790,000 by some 76 commercial and community radio stations across the country. To this end, the NCA has revoked the license of some stations while others have been fined.
The stations, numbering 131, were said to have violated aspects of the Electronic Communications Act and failed to renew their frequency renewal and in some instances, their authorisation fees.
The sanctions have generated huge uproar among the general populace, including the Minority in Parliament who believe the move is politically motivated and could also lead to loss of jobs in the sector. The Ghana Independent Broadcasters Association (GIBA) has also described the punishment as harsh.
But reacting to critics of the NCA, Mrs Owusu-Ekuful said the sanctions were not harsh and that the media cannot expect to be treated leniently than others.
“I have heard people saying the punishment is too harsh, but I think it is commensurate to the offense. It is unbelievable that those who will hold others to higher standards would insist that the bar be lowered completely because they are the men and women behind the microphone who have control of our airwaves. I don’t think that is proper,” she said on Accra-based Starr FM.
Source:Ghana/AccraFM.com
