Guinea-Bissau Threatens Owners of Privately-Owned Radio Stations Over Non-Payment of License Fees

Guinea-Bissau’s government has threatened to imprison or fine the operators of privately-owned radio stations over non-payment of license fees, a move that comes just after it suspended all privately-owned radio stations in the country.

President Umaro Sissoco Embaló. (AY Umar Blog/Facebook)

The Ministry of Transportation and Communication posted a decree saying that radio station owners could face a prison sentence of up to three years should they fall behind on their license fee payments of 250,000 CFA francs (380 euros, or $415) a year. Radio stations are not subsidized by the state; of the 88 private radio stations operating in Guinea-Bissau, just 12 have been able to pay the fee.

The government’s move is “a step backwards in terms of press freedom and expression,” said Capital FM journalist Umaro Sané, whose opposition station had to close because of attacks it sustained in February.

On February 7, four armed men ransacked the offices of Capital FM, according to media reports that noted that the station was “virtually destroyed.” The men openly contemplated killing Capital FM staff members but were dissuaded by another who insisted that no one be harmed, said Capital FM program host Sabino Santos and owner and director Lassana Cassamá. However, several reporters did sustain injuries during the assault. A journalist who survived the attack later said that one of their colleagues recognized one of the cars as belonging to the presidential palace.

The attack took place just days after an attempted coup d'état to overthrow President Umaro Sissoco Embaló that resulted in the deaths of four assailants and two members of the presidential guard. The coup was swiftly condemned by both the African Union (AU) and The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

Guinea-Bissau is ranked 95th out of 180 countries in Reporters without Borders’ (RSF) 2021 World Press Freedom Index, which notes that the country’s political climate “has polarised the media and journalists, weakened them and left them extremely vulnerable to political influence and pressure.”