The National Communications Authority (NCA) has restored authorizations to some FM radio stations which were closed down in a 2017 audit.
The NCA also granted approvals to existing stations which applied for renewal of expired authorizations, making the total number of authorizations granted 133 in all.
A statement from NCA said the approvals were granted a meeting of its Governing Board on October 11, 2021
“This approval from the Board is subject to the applicants attending a sensitisation workshop on the terms and conditions of FM radio broadcasting authorisations. The workshop shall clarify the legal, regulatory, and technical requirements for the establishment and operation of an FM Radio Broadcasting station,” the statement said.
The NCA said provisional authorisations will be issued to the successful applicants at the end of the workshop and frequencies shall be assigned to the applicants only upon the fulfillment of the conditions of the Provisional Authorisation.
It reminded the general public that per Section 2(4) of the Electronic Communications Act, 2008, Act 775, a person shall not operate a broadcasting system or provide a broadcasting service without a frequency authorisation by the Authority. Offenders are liable on summary conviction to a fine of not more than three thousand penalty units or to a term of imprisonment of not more than five years or to both, as per Section 73 of Act 775 of 2008.
