Radio Gold, Radio XYZ shutdown has nothing to do with press freedom – Oppong-Nkrumah

Information Minister Kojo Oppong-Nkrumah says the shutting down of two radio stations in Accra; Radio Gold and Radio XYZ has nothing to do with press freedom.

His comments come hours after it was reported that the two stations were shutdown by officials of the National Communication Authority (NCA) for failing to possess the right authorisation for their frequency spectrum.

Following the shutdown, some persons have accused government of trying to gag the media with such actions.

It is on the back of this assertion by a section of the public that Mr. Oppong-Nkrumah said closure of the two stations is not intended to suppress press freedom in anyway.

He said this at a press briefing held by the NCA to clarify issues regarding the shutdown.

According to the Information Minister, the stations were taken off air because they were among stations found to be in default of spectrum authorisation.

The minister thus explained the shutdown is based on Frequency Modulation and Spectrum issues and not about press freedom.

At the same press conference, Director General of the NCA Joseph Anokye explained that the two stations have had their authorisation expired for years, and that they were written to on several occasions to have them renewed.

According to him, Radio Gold’s license expired as far back as 2000, while Radio XYZ’s expired in 2016.