St Vincent’s Minister of Telecommunications Phillip Jackson has publicly defended the National Telecommunications Regulatory Commission (NTRC) following its directive ordering opposition outlet Star Radio to cease broadcasting, characterizing the regulator’s action as a routine statutory procedure rather than a political attempt to silence the station.
Addressing the matter, Minister Jackson expressed strong support for the leadership of NTRC Director Apollo Knights and the agency’s technical team, stating he is “very proud” of the staff for executing their statutory duties under the law.
Jackson explained that Star Radio’s broadcasting license officially expired in April 2026 and revealed that the station was initially alerted early in 2025, followed by multiple correspondences urging them to regularize their licensing status.
Dismissing claims that the NTRC’s directive represents a political move to take Star Radio off the air, Jackson maintained that the regulatory body was simply fulfilling its legal mandate.
“There’s nothing political; there’s no nobody’s trying to use the entity to do anything untoward towards the radio station,” Jackson stated, emphasizing that statutory regulations cannot treat one broadcasting entity differently from another, even if the outlet has been operating outside the law for several months.
Acknowledging that Star Radio is owned by the Star Broadcasting Corporation Limited and serves as the primary media organ for the Unity Labour Party (ULP)—which recently served in government—Jackson stated he is confident the ULP understands the rule of law and will comply with established legal procedures.
Jackson also clarified his personal involvement, noting that as Minister he came to the situation late because the independent technical team at the NTRC handles regulatory matters directly without needing ministerial oversight at every step. He added that he was only advised at the final stage due to potential political sensitivities, expressing confidence that Star Radio will ultimately comply with statutory requirements.
The controversy follows an official letter dated October 8, 2026, sent by NTRC Director Apollo Knights to Star Broadcasting Corporation Limited Secretary Julian Francis.
The letter directed Star Radio to immediately cease transmission on its 98.3 MHz and 104.7 MHz FM frequencies, citing almost six months of unauthorized operation following its April 14, 2026 license expiration and unresolved corporate record filings with the Commerce and Intellectual Property Office (CIPO).
The regulator’s action has drawn sharp pushback from former Telecommunications Minister and ULP attorney Camilo Gonsalves, who labeled the NTRC’s order “unethical, unjust, and illegal”. Gonsalves argued that under telecommunications statutes, the authority to suspend, revoke, or refuse a broadcast license rests exclusively with Minister Jackson, who had issued no correspondence to the station.
Gonsalves further noted that Star Radio submitted its renewal application and required fees in November 2025—months prior to expiration—and argued that the NTRC’s demands regarding minor CIPO formatting details from 2007–2009 hold no legal relevance to the 2026–2031 licensing cycle.
Hot97 FM owner Luke Boyea also criticized the directive, describing the order to cease broadcasting of an opposition outlet over administrative technicalities as an “anti-democratic” move that threatens press freedom.
However, public debate surrounding the issue has also highlighted counterarguments asserting that statutory regulations must be enforced uniformly across all media outlets, regardless of political affiliation.
