Dr Charles Wereko-Brobby
The founder of Ghana’s first private radio station, Dr. Charles Wereko-Brobby is contesting against the National Media Commission and the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation(GBC) from implementing the TV license fees in a campaign dubbed “#suspendtvlicence”.
He argued that until GBC spring back and functions as a public broadcaster, it will be out of place to fund a media organization that functions more like a commercial broadcaster.
Wereko-Brobby in a statement released on the issue of GBC’s compulsory Licence fee was livid with the impression that GBC is a public broadcaster, adding that it had long ceased to be a state broadcaster.
“The GBC today does not qualify as a public Broadcaster in any shape or form… it operates as a commercial broadcaster, charging advertising fees in competition with the private broadcasters who do not get licence fees,” he insisted.
Extending the argument further on the others, Mr Wereko Brobbey maintained that “the Ghana Independent Broadcasters Association (GIBA) does not qualify to be funded by public funds of any description, especially from a compulsory licence fee.”
However, he said the NMC qualified for funding to make it more effective but this must not come from a licence fee.
He’s therefore called for immediate suspension of a planned collection of TV license fee in what he described as “unlawful” consideration.
