Taranga FM Goes Off Air Following Suspected NIA Order

Mr Sisay

In what is highly suspected to be an order from the National Intelligence Agency, Taranga FM, a privately-owned community radio station has temporarily closed-down operations.
Mr Ismaila Sisay, the proprietor of the radio is unavailable for comments at the time of going to press. However, a reliable source said Mr Sisay yesterday spent a couple of hours at NIA headquarters in Banjul for questioning.
In this media-freedom restricted country, Taranga is the only private radio station that broadcast local news – both in English and local languages - to its audience, something the public seemingly appreciate.
The radio’s regular news programme of reading news published in the local newspapers has attracted growing interest from the public as it serve as the alternative source of news to the state-owned radio, especially for The Gambia’s majority conventionally unlettered people.
The Daily News is yet to confirm the reason/s for the alleged NIA closure order, but it is believed to be in connection with the radio’s news programme.
Meanwhile, since Taranga started the news programme couple of months ago, there was mounting speculation about the authorities unhappiness about the programme. Its closure may not come as a surprise to many; for Citizen FM that undertook similar programme has been closed-down.