Communication Minister, Mrs. Ursula Owusu Ekuful, has disclosed that stakeholder consultations will begin next week over the sustainability of the Digital Terrestrial Television, (DTT) platform.
According to the minister, broadcasters will have to agree on the mode of generating funds to maintain the platform.
Following a National Media Commission (NMC) ruling and also a directive from the President to halt its moves at reducing DTT channels of GBC and Crystal TV, Mrs. Ursula in an interview indicated that a meeting has been schedule for net wee with stakeholders pertaining to the matter.
In a follow-up statement, the communication minister said that her outfit’s has rescinded onthe directive to reduce the channels of GBC and Crystal.
“I work up to my appointing authority not the committee of communications in parliament. They exercise oversight, they don’t dictate to me how I do my work or neither do I need their prior approval before I implement any policy.
“So, we’ve discussed it with the appointing authority and heard the concerns raised and that led to the manner in which the president crafted his statement to me to suspend it pending further consultations with the stakeholders that is yet to take place. And we hope to meet the stakeholders next week to have those consultations”.
Ursula Owusu Ekuful
Mrs. Ursula opined “that platform has to be self-sustaining. We have to find a way to pay for the DTT platform’s operations and maintenance, and I have told you that it comes at a cost. So, we were looking at mechanisms that will enable us to raise some revenues without burdening the existing broadcasters. So, when we meet, we will discuss the options to finance the operation and maintenance of the platform.
“And we will all agree on how to finance the platform going forward and they will all be bound by the decisions that are taken subsequently,” she added.
Background
On July, 15, The Ministry of Communication made known its intention to reduce the number of channels that the state broadcaster, Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC) is operating on the National Digital Terrestrial Television platform.
In the letter signed by the Minister, Ursula Owusu-Ekuful to the state broadcaster, it read, “this is to ensure there is redundancy on the National DTT platform which is currently at full capacity. “You will, therefore, be required to consolidate your programming in line with this directive”.
The state broadcaster currently operates six TV channels. When the directive takes effect, GBC will be left with three.
It further stated that after the planned future expansion of capacity on the network, which has been delayed by the pandemic and the uncertainties generated in global supply chains, the GBC will be allocated additional channels.
However, the National Media Commission (NMC) said moves by the Communications Ministry to reduce the number of Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT) platform of two stations are outside the Ministry’s remits.
Chairman of the NMC, Yaw Boadu-Ayeboafo said the intention to close three channels of the state broadcaster, Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC) and Crystal TV is a clear indication of usurping of the Commission’s powers.
According to the NMC, the constitution mandates it “to promote and ensure the freedom and independence of the media for mass communication or information” and also “insulate the state-owned media from governmental control”.
This was followed by the President’s directive to the Communication Ministry to halt the process of reducing the channels of these television stations.
