GIBA sues Communications Ministry, KNet over DTT platform fees

The Ghana Independent Broadcasters Association (GIBA) on behalf of its members has filed a suit against the Ministry of Communications and Digitalisation (MoCD) and KNet Ghana Limited over the DTT Transmissions Platform.

According to GIBA, the Ministry has mandated KNet to disconnect broadcasters from the National DTT Transmissions platform for non-payment of fees, without any legal basis or parliamentary approval.

It added that other broadcasters, who refused to patronise “LINK SERVICES,“ are threatened with disconnection from the National DTT platform.

“The MoCD mandating KNet Ghana Ltd to unilaterally provide what they refer to as “Contribution link services” and charge fees they refer to as “Contribution Links Fees” to itself, with the added authority of disconnecting broadcasters from the National DTT Transmissions platform on account of non-payment of the fees, is without any legal basis or parliamentary approval,” Cecil Sunkwa-Mills, President, GIBA said in a statement.

GIBA is therefore praying the court to restrain the Ministry from charging TV Channel fees.

GIBA is also praying the court to quash the decision by the Ministry of Communications and Digitalisation authorizing the disconnection of broadcasters from the DTT Transmissions platform for non-payment.

Amongst the reliefs, GIBA is seeking include, “A declaration that the decision of the Ministry of Communications and Digitalisation establishing fees for Contribution Link services is null and void for want of parliamentary approval of the said fees. A declaration that the decision of the Ministry of Communications and Digitalisation establishing TV Channel fees is null and void for want of parliamentary approval of the said fees.”

“A declaration that the authority granted the 2 Defendant to collect fees for contribution link services by the Ministry of Communications and Digitalisation and to disconnect broadcasters that do not pay same is null and void. An order quashing the decision of the Ministry of Communications and Digitalization authorizing the disconnection of broadcasters from the DTT Transmissions platform on account of non-payment of the fee charged for Contribution Link services and TV Channel fees. e. Any other order as the Honourable Court may deem fit”.

Source: citinewsroom