Afri
Radio, a
privately-owned radio station on April 12, 2013 had its broadcast license
withdrawn by the statutory media regulatory body, the Independent Media
Commission (IMC), following an alleged order from President Ernest Bai Koroma.
The
decision to ban the radio station came after “various meetings held with state
authorities … on the issuance of (Afri Radio’s) broadcast license” explained
the IMC.
According
to the Media Foundation for West (MFWA)’s correspondent, President Koroma,
during a meeting with officials of the National Telecommunications Commission
on April 9, 2013 reportedly ordered the Chairman of the IMC, Rod MacJohnson, to
immediately suspend the broadcasting license of Afri Radio.
