The Federal Government has decided to write off 60 per cent of the 7billion naira owed by radio and television stations in licensing and renewal fees.

The government has also slashed the existing licence fee by 30 per cent for all open terrestrial radio and television services with effect from July 10.

The Minister of Information and Culture, LAI MOHAMMED, disclosed these at a press conference he addressed with the acting Director-General of the National Broadcasting Commission, Prof. ARMSTRONG IDACHABA, in Abuja.

MOHAMMED however said for any debtor station to benefit from the 60 per cent debt relief, it must be ready to pay the 40 per cent balance within the next three months.

He said the debt relief offer would open on July 10 and close on October 6, 2020.

The minister said the measures announced were aimed at giving a lifeline to the broadcast industry, which, he said, had been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.