Austin John, a middle-aged man, was arraigned at the Kisumu Magistrates Court on charges related to the establishment and operation of an unauthorized radio station.

The accused pleaded not guilty to four counts, which include setting up a radio station without a valid license, providing radio broadcasting services without a valid license, and two additional undisclosed charges.

Austin John's plea was made on Tuesday before Joan Wambilianga, who subsequently granted his release on a bond of Sh100,000.

The prosecution, led by Nina Opiyo, SPC, has prepared a list of nine witnesses scheduled to testify on September 6, 2023.

Operating a radio station without a valid license is a grave offence that undermines the regulatory framework put in place to ensure the fair and ethical provision of broadcasting services.

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The charges against Austin John highlight the importance of adhering to licensing regulations, especially within the media industry, where unlicensed operations can have far-reaching implications for the dissemination of accurate information to the public.