Gambiaj.com – (BANJUL) – The Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA) has identified multiple radio stations in The Gambia operating with expired licenses, a situation that breaches the PURA Act, the IC Act, and other regulatory guidelines. The state regulator has given these stations a 24-hour ultimatum to comply with the rules or risk cessation of their broadcasting activities starting Thursday.

The radio stations found to be in violation include Foroyaa FM, Vibes FM, Teranga FM, Choice FM, Star FM, Kora FM, City Limits FM, West Coast Radio, Fayda One FM, Al Fallah FM, Hill Top FM, Nexus FM, Nuimi FM, Paradise FM, Taxi FM (formerly Unique FM), Capital FM, Janneh Koto, Hot FM, and Senn FM.

PURA emphasized that a valid license is a legal necessity for providing services within the regulated sector. The agency urges all stakeholders to adhere to regulatory requirements to sustain a robust broadcasting environment.

The radio stations have been instructed to renew their expired licenses by July 10, 2024, to ensure their operations remain uninterrupted. This directive follows a nationwide monitoring exercise conducted in January and February 2024, which also revealed that five registered radio stations—Deggo FM, Paradise FM (Basse Radio Station), Sky FM, Libidorr, and Radio 1 FM—had ceased operations without notifying the Authority, contravening the PURA Act and the IC Act section 235(1)(a).

Prior to the monitoring exercise, a compliance notice was issued on December 22, 2023, prompting radio stations to renew their licenses. However, many failed to respond. Consequently, PURA has issued a notice of intention to revoke the licenses of these stations, requiring them to submit written representations by July 10, 2024, explaining why their licenses should not be revoked.

Additionally, PURA observed that some licensed radio stations have never commenced broadcasting. These include Exit One FM, Mahlegen Communication Network, Banjul FM, and Juneteenth Radio Stations. These license holders have also been served with notices of intention to revoke their licenses and must provide written explanations for their inactivity, in line with the PURA Act and IC Act Section 235(1).

PURA’s actions underscore its commitment to ensuring compliance and maintaining a dynamic and legally compliant broadcasting sector in The Gambia.