THE Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority (TCRA), has fined two radio stations, including Dodoma based FM radio station (RASI FM), 6m/- for violating content regulations.
TCRA’s Content Committee Vice-Chairman, Joseph Mapunda, said in Dar es Salaam that the two radio stations violated the regulations in January, saying RASI FM violated the regulation on June 6 while the other radio station, Dar es Salaam based Magic FM did so on May 18.
Mr Mapunda said the two stations have been given the penalty due to various misconduct charges imposed by the communication’s watchdog.
Speaking at a news conference in Dar es Salaam yesterday, the TCRA Content Committee Vice-Chairman said on June 6 this year RASI FM in its mid day programme aired a topic on sexual matters, where the radio station’s presenter blatantly disregarded the broadcasting ethics and regulations by discussing the topic in inappropriate hours as per electronic broadcasting regulations.
He said that the topic was aired at the wrong time of day because at that time most children and teenagers are usually listening to various programmes aired by various radio stations, so it was inappropriate and against the country’s culture and could lead to moral decay among children and teenagers.
“Promoting sexual acts is an unlawful offence, so RASI FM has confessed and apologised for the misconduct and have already taken some disciplinary measures against the presenter who conducted the programme by firing him,” said Mapunda.
However, the committee has also slapped a fine of 2m/- on the radio station for the misconduct after establishing that the station failed to protect children’s rights by promoting sexual activity and setting adult topics during inappropriate time.
source Daily News Tanzania