NMC holds public forum on digital migration

The National Media Commission (NMC) in collaboration with the Fredrich Ebert Stiftung (FES) on Monday held a public forum on constitutional and legal implications on the digital migration.

The forum, which was held in Tamale, brought together experts in the broadcast monitoring, technical solutions providers and influential media professionals to talk about legal effects on the digital migration.

Mr Michael Abbey, the Programmes Coordinator of FES, noted that the Bill provided a framework to ensure that persons entrusted with the radio spectrum resource operated in a manner to safeguard public order, public morality, national security and generally, use the resource in the best public interest.

He gave the assurance that the Bill had a strong legal basis and was in the best public interest and in line with international best practice.

Mr George Sarpong, the Executive Secretary of the National Media Commission (NMC), said Article 167(c) of the Constitution enjoins the NMC to separate the state-owned media from governmental control.

He said digital transmission would provide sharp pictures for better vision and clear sounds and would also come with more channels.

He added that there was the need to address unlicensed and unregulated players in the industry.