Mr Mungy said Radio and TV stations that would have not paid their licence fees and meet other conditions set by the TCRA by the end of yesterday, their frequency will be terminated until the payments are made.
He declined to reveal the names of the TV and Radio stations that made their payments, only saying that the exercise had gone well, with many broadcasting stations scrambling to pay the dues to avoid having their broadcasting rights terminated. “I am happy to say that more and more broadcasting stations are making the payments.
Those who have not made the payments should do so as soon as possible. TCRA is here to ensure that all broadcasters adhere to the rules, regulations and the laws of the country,” Mr Mungy explained.
He called on all broadcasters to ensure they fulfill their responsibility, which includes following the law and adhering to all regulations governing the sector. “They must ensure they are current on what is needed to be done to avoid, forcing the communications watchdog taking such decisions,” the TCRA official explained.
Since July 2015, TCRA had issued a letter to more than 40 service providers, reminding them about paying for their licences.
In September, last year; the operators were given a warning to pay their fees before December 31, 2015. However, by 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.
The radio stations that are under the ban include; 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. Television stations include Star TV, Sumbawanga Municipal TV, Tanga City TV, Iringa TV, Musa Television Network and Mbeya City TV.
In a news conference in Dar es Salaam last Friday, the Minister for Works, Transport and Communication, Professor Makame Mbarawa, ordered all service providers to pay their fees on time, saying those who will not comply to set rules and regulations will have stern measures taken against them.
“I give an order to different companies to pay their licence fees at a given time frame by TCRA. Those who will not implement the directive will be subjected to legal action,” said Prof Mbarawa.
The minister further announced that the government has banned 28 radio stations due to various reasons, including failure to pay licence fees and fulfill the conditions set by the regulator.
Culled from Daily News
Hakuna maoni:
Chapisha Maoni