New broadcast authority Director defends himself over US FCC cases

Documents have surfaced that show that newly-appointed member of the Guyana National Broadcasting Authority (GNBA) board, Robert Mohamed had allegedly operated an unlicensed radio station in the United States (US) several years ago.

However, Mohamed yesterday told Stabroek News that he has been operating a “one of a kind” radio station in the United States (US) for over 20 years. He said his operation is licensed by the US Federal Communications Commission (FCC).

On Tuesday, the GNBA announced that a new board had been selected.

According to a press statement from Minister within the Office of the Prime Minister, Kwame McCoy the appointments were made by President Irfaan Ali pursuant to the Broadcast Act No. 17 of 2011.

The appointments take effect from December 1, 2020 for a period of one year.

Among the members of the new board is Mohamed, who was selected to serve in the capacity of Broadcaster and Radio Frequency Communication Engineer.

A day after his appointment, documents yesterday surfaced about Mohamed being previously subject to an investigation in the US for being an ‘unlicensed FM radio operator’.

According to a FCC document dated May 29, 2001, an investigation by the FCC’s Enforcement Bureau led to the arrest of Mohamed for operating an unlicensed FM radio station on 89.3 MHz in Queens, New York and Brooklyn, New York.

The document said that Mohamed was arrested by the United States Marshals Service on May 22, 2001.

Prior to this, the document added that FCC enforcement actions had failed to deter Mohamed’s unlicensed operation of the FM station.

“The FCC on more than one occasion, had issued notices to Mr. Mohamed directing him to cease operation of the unlicensed station. Further. The U.S Marshal’s Service, in conjunction with the United States Attorney’s Office and the FCC, had seized his radio equipment on two previous occasion,” the document seen by this newspaper stated.

In a separate document titled ‘Notice of unlicensed operation’ which is dated August 23, 2011, the New York Office of the FCC said that it received information that an unlicensed broadcast radio station was allegedly operating in South Richmond Hill, New York.

“On August 3, 2011, an agent from this office confirmed by direction finding techniques that a radio transmitter operating on the frequency 1620 kHz were emanating from your residence in South Richmond Hill, New York. The Commission’s records show that no license was issued for operation of a broadcast station at this location on 1620 kHz in South Richmond Hill, New York,” the notice said.

The notice extended a warning that operation of radio transmitting equipment without a valid radio station authorization constitutes a violation of the Federal laws and could result in severe penalties including fines and imprisonment.

As such, it said that the ‘unlicensed operation’ must be discontinued immediately.

The document stated that Mohamed had 10 days from the date of his notice to respond with evidence that he had the authority to operate granted by the FCC.

Stabroek News yesterday reached out to Mohamed who said that he is aware of the two documents.

He said the details outlined in the documents were “allegations which were proven to be wrong”.

“They were all different allegations which were proven wrong,” Mohamed said.

Mohamed told this newspaper that he has been operating a ‘one of a kind’ radio station in the US for over 20 years. He said that at no point he operated the radio station unlicensed.

“We are truly authorised by FCC….The allegations here is what we call jealous broadcast,” he said.

Mohamed explained that upon receiving the FCC notice, he responded and was allowed to challenge the allegations.

“….My good windfall was that I am an engineer by profession so I was able to prove them wrong,” Mohamed said.