By: Sandally Sawo
The Minister of Information, Dr. Ismaila Ceesay, has revoked the licenses of five commercial radio stations for operating with expired licenses.
Al Fallah FM, Janneh Koto FM, Deggo FM, MahlegennCommunications Network and Banjul FM all had their licensesrevoked with effect from 26 July 2024.
“The Gambia Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA) informs the public that the Minister of Information, acting under Section 235 of the Information and Communications Act (2009), has revoked the licenses of the five (5) commercial radio stations that have been identified to be operating with expired licenses,” PURA said in a press release issued to this paper on Thursday.
According to the regulatory authority, this exercise was part of its continuous monitoring exercise to ensure compliance with the regulatory regime and terms and conditions of the license.
PURA said these radio stations were operating without valid licenses contrary to section 229(1) of the IC Act 2009, which provides that “a person shall not broadcast, or otherwise operate a broadcasting service or do or permit anything to be done for which a broadcasting license is required under this Act, unless he or she is in possession of the appropriate license so required, in addition to any other license or certificate which may be prescribed by this Act for the transmission on or operation of a broadcasting service undertaken by him or her or for the doing of that thing”.
PURA warned that as a consequence of this revocation, any broadcasting services operations done by the above-listed commercial radio stations from 26 July 2024, would be illegal and punishable by law.
“PURA will continue monitoring to ensure compliance and efficient spectrum use. We also take the opportunity to caution all license and authorization holders to ensure that their licenses and authorizations are always up-to-date and in compliance with the terms and conditions.
“This exercise is being conducted after consultation with the Broadcasting Enforcement Committee, which comprises PURA, the Ministry of Information, the Media Council of The Gambia, the Ministry of Justice, the Gambia Revenue Authority and the Gambia Police Force,” concluded the release.