NCA must be transparent in frequency allocation – CDD
The Center for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana) has called on the National Communications Authority (NCA) to be transparent in the allocation of frequencies in a manner consistent with Article 162 (3) of the 1992 Constitution.
The centre says it is deeply worried with the opacity that continues to surround the processes around frequency allocation in Ghana and the risk that it poses as the airways was used in advancing the interest of only a few individuals, rather than being managed as a public resource.
“CDD-Ghana also notes with concern the great challenges that applicants for frequencies to operate community radio stations continue to face, especially as the regional capitals are choked with frequencies,” the CDD-Ghana said in a statement copied to the Ghana News Agency in Accra on Thursday.
The statement was to recognise Ghanaian journalists as the world marked the 2015 World Press Freedom Day.
The 2015 World Press Freedom Day was celebrated worldwide on the theme: “Let Journalism thrive! Towards Better Reporting, Gender Equality and Safety in the Digital Age”.
“The Center would like to see more equity in the distribution of frequencies to provide adequate voice to disadvantaged communities and help them meet their developmental goals,” it said.
Quoting the 2014 Afrobarometer Report, CDD-Ghana said majority of Ghanaians, representing 55 per cent, endorsed press freedom, while seven out of 10 rated the local media as effective in revealing government’s mistakes and corruption.
According to the CDD-Ghana, the 2014 Afrobarometer Survey was consistent with a recent Press Freedom Index released by Reporters without Borders which moved Ghana up by five percentage points from number 27 in 2014, to 22 in 2015 with a score of 15.5.
The centre, therefore, commended the local media for the impressive contributions to the development of the country’s democracy and implored journalists not to relent in asserting their independence and creating more spaces for the voices of citizens.
“CDD-Ghana is fully convinced that the interest of press freedom is best served when there is maximum transparency, equity, and accountability in the allocation of electronic media frequencies,” the statement said.
The centre applauded the media for being valiant in demanding transparent and accountable governance from public officials.
Source: GNA