| Stages
of the Applications Process for Broadcast and STV Licences
SUBMISSION OF APPLICATION
Applications must be made on the designated form, which are
available from the Commission's office.
When an application package is submitted to the Commission, an
officer of the Commission, in the presence of the applicant, will go
through the package to ensure that all necessary material has been
submitted. Applicants will be given a copy of this record and a
receipt for their payment of the application fee.
If an application is incomplete, the applicant will be told what
information is needed to make it ready for evaluation, and the
submission returned.
NB: There is no deadline for submission of completed applications.
EVALUATION
The
Commission contracts professional expertise to assist with the
evaluation of each application. Among these are chartered
accountants and auditors, telecommunications experts and media
specialists.
The
technical, programming, and financial components of an
application are analyzed by three committees, each of which is
responsible for one of the named areas.
The
Commission explains to all applicants that the evaluation
timetable is driven entirely by the information that is supplied
by the applicant to demonstrate that it has met the requirements
of Regulation 4 of the Television and Sound
Broadcasting Regulations.
Once it
has all information required by law to satisfy the evaluation
prerequisites, the Commission proceeds with the assessment,
after which it makes a report to the Minister of Information and
Development about whether the applicant has met the legal
standards for the grant of a licence.
The
Commission extends to all applicants the opportunity to clarify
information in their applications.AWARD OF A LICENCE
The
Information Division of the Office of the Prime Minister will
communicate directly with applicants on the outcome of their
applications, and advise whether the Minister of Information has
decided to grant them a licence.
APPEAL
Applicants who have been refused a licence
may:
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First, request a hearing with the Minister of Information |
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If the
Minister still does not grant the licence, the applicant may appeal the Minister's decision to the Appeal Tribunal. This tribunal consists of two Attorneys-at-Law and three other professionals who are competent in broadcasting matters. |
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Important Information for Prospective Applicants for
Broadcasting and Subscriber Television Licences
Applicants for commercial broadcast and STV licences must prove
that they understand how to operate a viable broadcast radio
and/or television service that can meet legal standards for
broadcasting and subscriber television services. This is why
they are asked to submit financial, technical, programming,
legal, and administrative information.
Applications are confidential. The Commission will not release
any information about the outcome of its evaluation to anyone,
except the Minister of Information, who will advise applicants
directly about the success or failure of their application.
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