Communication Authority of Kenya board to meet and discuss withdrawal of licenses to three local stations

Kenya: Director General Francis Wangusi has said that the Communication Authority of Kenya board will meet and review the withdrawal of licenses for KTN, NTV and Citizen.

Wangusi made the statement in a TV programme, The Press Pass,  in a panel with journalists who sought to know reasons behind withdrawal on Monday night.

“The board will meet and deliver final verdict on the action we took. We were concerned by the TV commercials against other players who are in the signal distribution market. We want a vibrant and competitive broadcast market and reduce the monopoly enjoyed by the three media houses who control 85 percent of advertising revenue,” Wangusi said.

Media houses are opposed to copyright infringement where competitors distribute their content without permission.

The three media houses are seeking remedial measures in the international tribunal to protect copyright and intellectual property.