Minister says NTRC was “Simply doing its job” as Gonsalves alleges political targeting 

By Val Matthias. Updated 7:23 p.m., Monday, October 12, 2026, Atlantic Standard Time (GMT-4). 

Minister responsible for Telecommunications Phillip Jackson has rejected claims that the National Telecommunications Regulatory Commission (NTRC) is being used to target opposition-linked Star Radio.

Jackson, speaking on the News-Times Radio programme on Monday October 12, said the NTRC was simply carrying out its statutory responsibilities in dealing with the station’s broadcasting licence.

He said the NTRC is established by law to regulate broadcasting using electromagnetic waves, including radio, television and satellite services.

Jackson explained that broadcasters require a licence issued by the minister, following a technical review by the NTRC.

He said the letter from the NTRC to Star Radio that has been circulating publicly should not be viewed in isolation.

According to Jackson, Star Radio’s licence expired in April, and the station had been alerted to the issue early in 2025.

He said there had been repeated correspondence between the NTRC and Star Radio concerning the regularisation of the licence.

Jackson said the correspondence that became public was simply the latest in that exchange.

“That letter just simply demonstrates that the NTRC is doing its job as it’s required statutorily.”

He said he was “very, very proud” of the NTRC staff and leadership for carrying out their responsibilities.

Jackson also rejected suggestions that the regulator was attempting to remove Star Radio from the air.

“There’s nothing political. Nobody’s trying to use the NTRC to do anything untoward towards the radio station.”

The minister said broadcasting regulations should apply equally to all broadcasters, regardless of their political affiliation.

His comments come after former Telecommunications Minister and attorney Camillo Gonsalves publicly condemned the NTRC’s handling of the matter

Gonsalves has characterized the regulatory action as “unethical, unjust, and illegal” and accused the regulator of attempting to force Star Radio off the air, his statements where made during the “Morning Comrade” talk show on Star FM on October 12th.

He argues that the station has maintained a broadcasting licence since 2007 and had applied for renewal before its previous licence expired.

Gonsalves says the NTRC subsequently requested additional corporate documentation and raised issues relating to historical filings with the Commerce and Intellectual Property Office.

He maintains that some of those matters date back between 15 and 18 years and should not prevent the station from continuing to operate while its renewal application is being considered.

Gonsalves has also challenged the NTRC’s legal authority to effectively halt the station’s transmission without what he says would be a formal investigation and established statutory grounds.

He argues that the authority to suspend, revoke or refuse a broadcasting licence rests with the telecommunications minister.

But Jackson’s account suggests that the NTRC’scorrespondence with Star Radio was being handled as a regulatory matter without ministerial direction.

The minister said he was not informed about every communication between the regulator and the station.

He said he only became aware of the matter at what he described as the “very last moment”, partly because of the potential political ramifications.

Jackson said the NTRC was expected to communicate directly with stakeholders and carry out its responsibilities without the minister being involved in every step.

He described the issue as “a simple bureaucratic correspondence”.

The minister also said he was confident Star Radio would respond to the NTRC and comply with what is required by law.

The dispute therefore centres on two sharply different interpretations of the same regulatory process.

Gonsalves sees the matter as a potentially unlawful attempt to pressure an opposition media organisation. Jackson says there is no political intervention and that the regulator is simply enforcing the rules governing broadcasters.

For now, Jackson’s position is that the NTRC is doing precisely what the law requires it to do and that Star Radio is being treated as a regulated broadcaster, not as a political organisation.

END

About the Author: This story was written and submitted by freelance journalist Mr. Val Matthias, a trained communicator with more than two decades in the media sector. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Media and Communication (UWI Mona), a Master of Science in Tourism and Hospitality Management (UWI Cave Hill), a Certificate in Digital Marketing, and has years of broadcast journalism experience rising to ranks of a programme manager. All supporting materials for this story have been presented, vetted, and verified. Mr Matthias can be reached at [email protected]