Only two trained regulators monitor over 300 radio stations - NMC laments

The National Media Commission has lamented at their severe resource constraints which means only two professionally trained regulators have the “impossible” task of monitoring over 300 radio stations in Ghana.

NMC Board member lawyer Akoto Ampaw made this revelation during the ongoing national conference to mark 20 years since the first private radio station, Radio EYE was established.

The media space has since expanded to over 300 radio stations and 30 T.V stations. The huge power and presence of radio and T.V calls for proper monitoring of content to check growing obscenity, abusive language, defamatory and libelous comments and publications.

Although the NMC is charged to do this and is independent of Executive control, the allocation of resources has not followed the allocation of this responsibility, Akoto Ampaw explained.

“We need the equipment, we need the technology”, the Board member pleaded.

Although it is independent of political control, the NMC, depends entirely on government to finance  its activities unlike the other media regulator  National Communications Authority.

The National Communications Authority is able to charge fees for license permits it issues and renews for radio station owners.

Director of Engineering Henry Kanor revealed that it can cost about GH₵ 30,000 to issue a license depending on the range of a radio station's reach and whether it is commercial or community radio.

The Authority also has about 20 engineers and four economists to study a single proposal for a license.

But unlike the NMC, the NCA is dependent on Executive control.

The national conference ends Friday at the Kofi Annan ICT Center and is sponsorsed by pro Civil Society group Star-Ghana Story by Ghana|Myjoyonline|Edwin Appiah|[email protected]