11 radio/TV stations banned for flouting TCRA conditions
THE Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority (TCRA) has banned 11 television and radio stations which did not fulfil the watchdog’s conditions, including paying license fees and other dues.
The TV and radio stations that are
banned from broadcasting are Breeze FM in Tanga, Country FM Radio;
Iringa, Generation FM Radio; Mbeya, Hot FM Radio; Mbeya, Impact FM;
Dodoma, Kifimbo FM Radio; Dodoma, Rock FM Radio; Mbeya, Iringa Municipal
TV, Sumbawanga Municipal TV, Tanga City TV and Mbeya City Municipal TV.
A statement from the TCRA to the media,
signed by the Director General, Dr Ally Simba, noted that the banned TV
and radio stations will only be allowed to broadcast once they have met
all conditions.
The statement noted that after three
months from 19th January this year, the banned TV and radio stations
that would have not paid their dues, will be taken to task under Section
22 (a) of the Electronic and Postal Communications Act of 2010, which
include revoking the broadcasting station's licence.
Until January 18, twelve (12) out of 20
radio stations and one television station out of six had paid the
required dues, with some remaining with minimal balances.
"For those who have not paid all their
dues, TCRA will enter into special agreements with them to ensure the
payments are made on time, or else the watchdog will take other steps,"
the statement further noted.
The banned TV and Radio stations were to
start to serve the restrain order from January 18, but pleaded to the
watchdog for more time to make the payments.
TCRA had banned more than 20 radio
stations for three months for various reasons, including failure to pay
licence fees and fulfil other conditions set by the communications
watchdog.
It has also banned six television
stations due to the same reasons. Since July 2015, TCRA had issued a
letter to more than 40 service providers, reminding them about paying
for their licences.
TCRA Head of Corporate Communications
Innocent Mungy pointed out that in September, last year; the operators
were given a warning to pay their fees before December 31, 2015.
Up to January 2016, only 11 service
providers among those who received the letters fulfilled the
requirements outlined in the note sent to them. “Section 22 of the
Electronic and Postal Communications Act of 2010 give power to the
authority to suspend or cancel a licence if a service provider fails to
pay the fees as directed,” said Mr Mungy.
Mr Mungy mentioned some of the banned
radio stations as Kiss FM, Radio Free Africa, Sibuka FM, Uhuru FM, Radio
Five, Breeze FM, Country FM, Ebony FM, Generation FM, Kili FM, Kitulo
FM, Huruma Radio, Rock FM, Standard FM, Top Radio, Ulanga FM, Hot FM,
Impact FM, Kifimbo FM and Pride FM.
The television stations are Star TV,
Sumbawanga Municipal TV, Tanga City TV, Iringa TV, Musa Television
Network and Mbeya City TV. Expounding further, he said if the providers
will not be able to pay for their licences after the three months, stern
measures will be taken against them.
