Source: Ottawa Citizen

OTTAWA — The 14-year-old boy running MIX-FM radio station has heeded warnings from Industry Canada and shut down operations.

Jayhâed Saadé stopped broadcasting early Monday morning after his engineer recommended he acquire the appropriate licences.

"I shut it down because I had to get a licence I didn't know anything about," Saadé said, "but I hope to be back on as soon as possible."

He had originally agreed to stop broadcasting after he received the warning last Tuesday, but continued spinning songs and interviewing guests until Monday.

"I didn't shut it off in the beginning because I didn't want to," he said, but added it was his own decision to follow the recommendations.

Saadé has been on the air since Nov. 31, playing Top 40 and dance music. He did not have the necessary CRTC broadcast licence or Industry Canada broadcasting certificate.

Under the Radio Communication Act, failure to comply with the warnings could have resulted in a maximum fine of $5,000, a jail sentence of up to a year, or both.

His operations were carried out in his father's hotel, Saadé Inn, on Bank Street near Rideau Road in Gloucester.

He said he has received numerous calls from listeners expressing their support, and encouraging him to stay on the air despite the threats of being fined.

"I want to say thank you to everyone who has been supporting me," Saadé said.

He said he is not certain when MIX-FM will return to the airwaves.

© Ottawa Citizen