NATCOM shuts private TV and Radio stations

The National Telecommunications Commission (NATCOM) has suspended the licenses of STAR RADIO and TELEVISION stations to operate and broadcast following a breach in the licenses conditions, the regulator said in a statement on Friday.

NATCOM said in the statement that “the suspension follows a breach in the licenses conditions pursuant to sections 30 and 65 of the NATCOM Act 2006 (As Amended).”

According to the authorities, Management of the STAR RADIO and TELEVISION stations had failed to pay licence fees amounting to Millions of Leones for the past five years.

 NATCOM said, “This action was taken after several correspondences and meetings relating to the licenses conditions between the Commission and STAR RADIO and TELEVISION, which the management of STAR RADIO and TELEVISION failed to follow through.”

President of the Sierra Leone Association of Journalist (SLAJ), Ahmed Sahid Nasralla  told Premier News that they are working to resolve the issue.

By Sallieu S Kanu