Mozambique’s National Communications Institute (INCM) has ordered the temporary suspension of broadcasts from three community radio stations in the northern city of Nampula due to interference in aeronautical mobile service communications, compromising flight safety, as reported by Lusa.
According to a statement released by the INCM, a technical team identified that the joint broadcast of the Encontro, Catholic Church, Haq and Vida radios was disrupting the connection between the Nampula airport control tower and aircraft, putting air navigation at risk.
‘Given the danger that this situation poses to human lives, the INCM notified the three radio stations concerned of the interference identified and ordered that their broadcasts be temporarily switched off, with immediate effect, for as long as the interference lasts,’ says the communications regulator.
The measure, according to the INCM, aims to guarantee the safety of civil aviation and prevent communication failures between pilots and the control tower, a situation that could compromise the safe operation of aircraft travelling through the region’s airspace.
The organisation has assured that it is working with the three radio stations affected to resolve the technical problem and re-establish their broadcasts without compromising the safety of air navigation. However, so far no deadline has been set for normalising the situation.
The suspension of community radio stations has caused concern among listeners and station managers, who warn of the impact of the decision on local information and communication, especially in areas where access to other media is limited.
The authorities have emphasised that the measure is not a definitive closure, but a necessary interruption to avoid risks to aviation, and that technical work is already underway to correct the interference and allow the radios to resume their activities safely.
