11 radio/TV stations banned for flouting TCRA conditions

TCRA Director General, Dr.Ally Simba

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

Credit:DailyNewz