We’ve been operating lawfully, says Startimes
What you need to know:
The company also plans to discuss with Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority (TCRA) officials as the regulator intends to suspend Startimes’ broadcasting licence.
Dar es Salaam. Star Media Tanzania Limited (Startimes) has said it has been operating according to the laws of the land.
The company also plans to discuss with Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority (TCRA) officials as the regulator intends to suspend Startimes’ broadcasting licence.
TCRA accuses the company of breaching licence rules.
Today, Star Media spokesman Juma Suluhu told The Citizen: “We always do our business legally.”
About the failure to comply with the obligation of the licence and refusal to pay fine charged by TCRA, Mr Suluhu said the company had been communicating with the regulator.
“TCRA and Startimes may be interpreting some regulations in a different way, but we have been communicating. We paid real attention to this issue. Star Media (T) will communicate urgently with TCRA and we think we will reach a consensus soon.”
In a notice published on Friday, and signed by the TCRA director general James Kilaba, the authority said Star Media had failed to comply with requirements of its broadcasting licence issued in June 2010.
“After complaints by consumers, in December 2016 and 2017, the authority carried out an investigation and affirmed that Star Media Tanzania was not complying with the obligation,” read part of the notice.
The regulator explained that even after being ordered to stop charging free to air television channels, TCRA continued receiving complaints from consumers that the licensee still charged them.
