The Ghana Independent Broadcasters Association (GIBA) has taken legal action against the Ministry of Communications and Digitalisation (MoCD) and KNet Ghana Limited, seeking a mandatory injunction at the High Court to halt what it describes as unlawful fee demands.

GIBA’s lawsuit challenges the imposition of arbitrary fees on broadcasters under the guise of TV channel fees and "Contribution Link Services," arguing that these charges lack legal backing and parliamentary approval.

In August 2023, GIBA had initially filed a suit on behalf of its members, contesting the Ministry’s unilateral decision to mandate KNet Ghana Ltd. as the exclusive provider of "Contribution Link Services."

The Association argued that KNet had been empowered to impose fees at its discretion, with the authority to disconnect broadcasters from the National Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT) transmission platform for non-payment.

The lawsuit also challenges the establishment of the Central Digital Transmission Company Ltd., which collects DTT channel hosting fees from broadcasters without parliamentary approval.

GIBA contends that these financial demands violate regulatory standards and statutory requirements.

Despite the absence of a legal or contractual basis, KNet—under directives from the former Minister for Communications and Digitalisation—has reportedly continued to block media outlets from the national DTT platform until they comply with these payments.

GIBA warns that this practice threatens media freedom and could force financially constrained broadcasters off the air, undermining public access to information.

The Association said it remains committed to safeguarding transparency, fairness, and regulatory compliance in Ghana’s broadcasting industry.