NCA approves license of Radio Gold, XYZ and others

The National Communications Authority has approved the licenses of some 133 radio stations in the country, a statement from the Authority has indicated. This includes the licenses of radio stations like Radio Gold and Radio XYZ.

Recall that following an audit of FM stations in 2019, some radio stations such as Radio Gold and Radio XYZ were shut down.

The NCA explained at the time that these closures were undertaken to fulfill Regulations 65 (1) of the Electronic Communications Regulations, 2011, L.I 1991. The regulation provides that “a person shall not use a radio frequency without authorization from the Authority.”

The NCA accused Radio Gold of operating without the needed license as it emerged that the company’s license had expired in 2000.

Earlier in 2017, a total of 34 radio and television stations were also shut down as the NCA accelerated efforts to sanitize the broadcasting industry.

However, at a 11th October 2021 meeting held by the Board of the NCA, the Authority has announced its approval of the “grant of a total of One Hundred and Thirty Three (133) FM radio broadcasting authorizations which include new applications from entities whose radio stations were closed down after the 2017 FM Audit as well as existing stations which applied for renewal of their expired FM Radio brioadcasting authorizations.”

The board has however warned that the applicants will have to attend a sensitization workshop on the terms and conditions of FM radio broadcasting authorizations.