The National Communication Authority (NCA) has defended its decision to take some TV channels\u00a0including that of the controversial preacher Bishop Obinim’s OB TV, off air.<\/p>\n
According to the NCA the stations breached the guidelines under Section 2(4) of the Electronic Communications Act, 2008, Act 775 and used a third party satellite infrastructure provider to broadcast their programs via satellite.<\/p>\n
[contextly_sidebar id=”IFpdmpGdK24N3raghmiERuTsiDx06FZU”]Nine television stations including Obinim\u2019s OB TV, Kessben TV, Clive TV, ECN, Zoe TV, BTA, ATV, Care TV, and Elijah TV have so far been taken off air.<\/p>\n
In a statement, the NCA said the nine stations affected were notified last year and given a grace period to regularize their operations but failed to do so.<\/p>\n
\u201cFrom time to time, the NCA conducts monitoring exercises and when any unauthorized services are detected, the appropriate enforcement measures are taken. In this recent case, the stations were detected sometime last year and notice was sent to the third party provider and the satellite company. A number of engagements went on, including the grant of a grace period to ensure compliance,\u201d the statement added.<\/p>\n
Below is the full statement:<\/strong><\/p>\n The NCA has noted the public interest that has been generated following its recent enforcement 1. Why have some television channels been taken off the Multi TV broadcasting platform? Therefore, any person or entity seeking to operate a system 2. If it is illegal, how did the TV stations broadcast? 3. Who is the third party infrastructure provider and what services do they provide? 4. When did the NCA take notice of the airing of unauthorised television stations? 5. How many channels have been affected?<\/p>\n As at 30th March 2016, the following 9 unauthorised channels have been affected:<\/p>\n \u2022 Clive TV,<\/p>\n \u2022 OB TV,<\/p>\n \u2022 ECN,<\/p>\n \u2022 Zoe TV, \u2022 ATV,<\/p>\n \u2022 Care TV,<\/p>\n \u2022 Kessben TV,<\/p>\n \u2022 Elijah TV.<\/p>\n The Authority will continue its monitoring exercise and ensure compliance.<\/p>\n 6. What are the procedures \/processes before a TV station can broadcast on air? 7. What is the advice for people and entities who may be affected by this?<\/p>\n NCA advises advertisers and the general public to check with the Authority for the list of Issued by the National Communications Authority<\/p>\n –<\/p>\n By: Godwin A. Allotey\/citifmonline.com\/Ghana<\/p>\n
\nactions on some unauthorised television stations. To clarify the issues, the following questions that
\nthe Authority has received has been answered below.<\/p>\n
\nAccording to Section 2(4) of the Electronic Communications Act, 2008, Act 775, \u201c\u2026 a person
\nshall not operate a broadcasting system or provide a broadcasting service without a frequency
\nauthorisation by the Authority\u201d.<\/p>\n
\nfor the provision of broadcasting services has to obtain an authorisation from the National
\nCommunications Authority. Multimedia Broadcasting Limited has an authorisation to provide
\nFree to Air Satellite Television services, branded Multi TV. However, the NCA observed that
\nover a period of time a number of TV stations were operating over satellite in Ghana in the Ku
\nBand frequency (12522MHz on the Astra 2F satellite) without authorisation from the
\nAuthority. The NCA consequently directed that these stations be taken off the satellite.<\/p>\n
\nThe stations used a third party satellite infrastructure provider to send their programmes
\nonto a satellite.
\nThis company provides services to some authorised broadcasting stations
\nincluding Multimedia. They were consequently directed to stick to the terms of their licence. It
\nshould be noted that NCA encourages infrastructure sharing. Hence, authorised or licensed
\nentities are allowed to provide infrastructure services to authorised broadcasting entities who
\nmay want to share their infrastructure.<\/p>\n
\nThe third party infrastructure provider in this case, is K-Net Ltd., a company licensed to
\nprovide public internet data services using terrestrial networks and satellite.<\/p>\n
\nFrom time to time, the NCA conducts monitoring exercises and when any unauthorised
\nservices are detected, the appropriate enforcement measures are taken. In this recent case, the
\nstations were detected sometime last year and notice was sent to the third party provider and
\nthe satellite company. A number of engagements went on, including the grant of a grace period
\nto ensure compliance.<\/p>\n
\n\u2022 BTA,<\/p>\n
\nAccording to Regulation 51 of the Electronic Communications Regulations, 2011, LI1991, the
\napplication for a broadcasting authorisation shall be in a form and contain information
\nspecified by the Authority. The requirements are published on the NCA website
\nhttp:\/\/www.nca.org.gh\/33\/23\/TV-Broadcasting-Services.html.<\/p>\n
\nAuthorised broadcasting stations before doing business with any station.
\nThese lists are\u00a0published quarterly on the website. We encourage all stakeholders to ensure compliance with
\nthe regulations covering the industry to ensure an orderly communications environment.<\/p>\n