The Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) has criticized the closure of four radio stations in Bawku, arguing that the National Communications Authority (NCA) overstepped its bounds by intervening in matters of media ethics and professionalism.
The affected stations, Bawku FM, Source FM, Zahra FM, and Gumah FM, were shut down on recommendations from the Upper East Regional Security Council due to concerns about their content allegedly inflaming the Bawku conflict.
MFWA contends that while the stations’ operations may have warranted action, the NCA was not the appropriate body to enforce such measures.
“The closure of the four stations does have some reasonable basis. However, the MFWA is of the view that the closures should not have been carried out by the NCA, which has no power to enforce ethics and professional standards and is, therefore, not the appropriate body to issue sanctions over media content,” a statement published by the MFWA read.
The MFWA argues that the NCA’s authority is limited to technical matters, such as addressing misuse of frequencies. They believe that the National Media Commission (NMC) is the designated body to handle issues concerning media ethics and content regulation.
The MFWA further expresses concern that granting the NCA and the National Security Ministry, both of which have partisan affiliations, the power to sanction media outlets sets a dangerous precedent.
“It is, therefore, a dangerous precedent for the NCA and the National Security Ministry, both run by persons with partisan interests, to be clothed with the power to sanction broadcast stations for their content,” the statement concluded.