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Bangladesh NGOs Network for Radio and Communication(BNNRC)
Bangladesh NGOs Network for Radio and Communication(BNNRC)
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Community Radio Handbook for Good Governance and Development
Translations available in: English (original) | French | Spanish | Italian | German | Portuguese | Swedish | Russian | Dutch | Arabic

Community Radio is going to make an important place in development field in Bangladesh. Under this circumstance, Bangladesh NGOs Network for Radio and Communication (BNNRC) has taken initiative of publishing a Community Radio Handbook for Good Governance and Development to meet the basic needs and demands of the community radio initiators, regulators, managers, community leaders and community broadcasters in respect to setting up and operating the community radio stations successfully in Bangladesh.

This handbook will be a good compilation of all necessary chapters and key aspects of community radio operation mechanism. With the help of this Community Radio Handbook, Community Radio stakeholders will have knowledge of technical and management skills come to know about the function, management, procedure, prospect, sustainability, working environment, interest issues, culture, socio-economic status, challenges and difficulties of running Community Radio and have all concerned resources and facilities available for their progress and success.

Besides, from this handbook, a reader will also get better understanding of the relevance of community radio in poor communities; the broad applicability of community radio to a range of sectoral activities such as health, rights, education, livelihoods, and conflict prevention; the need to deepen the capacity of community radio broadcasters at all levels to conduct effective monitoring and evaluation.

This publication will be helpful for long-term preservation and sharing as a guide with the concerned policy makers, donor agencies, regulatory, technical and monitoring committee members, local administration such as, Parliamentarian, Upa Zila Chairman, Deputy Commissioners (DC), Upazila Nirbahi Officers (UNO), officials of the local intelligence wings and law enforcing agencies, local government and people working in this field for nation building process at different level.



Bazlu
_______________________
AHM. Bazlur Rahman-S21BR
Chief Executive Officer
Bangladesh NGOs Network for Radio and Communication(BNNRC)
&
Member, Strategy Council
UN-Global Alliance for ICT and Development (UN GAID)

House: 13/1, Road:2, Shaymoli, Dhaka-1207
Post Box: 5095, Dhaka 1205 Bangladesh

Phone: 88-02-9130750, 88-02-9138501
01711881647 Fax: 88-02-9138501-105

E-mail: ceo@bnnrc.net, bnnrc@bd.drik.net
www.bnnrc.net

December 6, 2008 | 11:16 PM Comments  0 comments
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Training Workshop on Community Radio: How to Get Started and Keep Going in Bangladesh
Translations available in: English (original) | French | Spanish | Italian | German | Portuguese | Swedish | Russian | Dutch | Arabic

Bangladesh NGOs Network for Radio and Communication (BNNRC) along with other like-minded organizations has been conducting advocacy with the Government for community radio in Bangladesh since its inception. As a consequence, the Ministry of Information recently formulated Community Radio Installation, Broadcasting and Operation Policy 2008.

Primarily 116 organizations were identified as eligible of policy approval for community radio in a meeting of the National Regulatory Committee held in the Ministry of Information on Tuesday 15 July, 2008. On 23 July 2008 Ministry of Information sent an official letter to Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) and Home Ministry to issue security permit for the selected 116 community radio stations. As a consequence, investigation by three Government intelligence wings are working in the field level to find out required integrity, quality and legal status of the CR initiators.

From the community radio related experience, BNNRC feels deep urge that there should be an all out national initiative to train up manpower for the smooth operation of the community radio stations. With this view, BNNRC has set up a Community Radio Academy. From this academy training courses, technical support and research and development support will be given to the community radio stakeholders round the year.
In this backdrop, with main focus on the role of community radio in developing life and livelihood of the rural communities, Community Radio Installation, Broadcast and Operation Policy – 2008 and technical operation of Community Radio and strategy of work-plan for sustainable operation of community radio, Bangladesh NGOs Network for Radio and Communication (BNNRC) organized a daylong training workshop on Community Radio: How to Get Started and Keep Going in Bangladesh at IDB Auditorium in Dhaka on Wednesday, 27 August, 2008.

A total of 136 representatives from 98 community radio initiators including non-government development and research organizations took part in the workshop.
Session 1 and 2: Key Concept and Guideline of Community Radio and Community Radio Policy in Bangladesh and statutory Requirements to Operate the Community Radio
Chief Executive Officer of BNNRC AHM Bazlur Rahman presented welcome address and presented key concepts of community radio operation and CR policy 2008 in the workshop. In his presentation, he said, it is high time the community radio initiators could design a business plan and work plan for a full-fledged community radio studio and station in the respective community location. So, every initiator should have a clear concept of the policy level and technical level expertise regarding setting up a community radio.
In this regard, Mr Rahman presented a pictorial discussion on four types of broadcasting systems, special features, preparation works, frame-work and community involvement in a community radio station. During the question-answer session, CR initiators demanded reducing the importing tax from the community radio equipments and minimum charge for BTRC frequency allotment for community radio as it is the starting period of CR operation in Bangladesh.

Session 3: Community Radio Technology
Technical Expert of Community Radio Academy Mr. Sohel Awrangzeb presented a paper on technical aspect including studio set up, equipments, production and broadcasting techniques and budget for a community radio station. In his presentation, Mr Awrangzeb gave a pictorial description of pre and post readiness of the studio, transmission, indoor and outdoor broadcasting, recording, editing and program production system of a community radio station. Through question-answer session, participants came to know the technical aspects in details regarding commencement of community radio operation.

Session 4: Gender Relations and Development (GRD) in Community Radio Operation
At the forth working session, Consultant of BNNRC Mr. A H M Abdul Hai presented a paper on Gender Relations and Development in Community Radio Operation while Researcher of Institute of Hazrat Muhammad (SAW) Ms. Shaila Simi was in the chair. A proposed gender policy in community radio mentioning women's access to the airwaves, women's representation on air, special needs of minority women, women's representation at all levels of station management, use of appropriate technology and funding and capacity building for women's radio complying with the gender policy for CRS by AMARC-WIN AP was presented at the workshop.
The respondents called for greater access to leadership, management, finances and the whole cycle of CR set-up. They also recommended changes in the program contents and participation in the various stages of production. Among the recommendations of the policy include training for women; use of free and open source software, a quota of at least 30 per cent for women's leadership and representation; and special radio programs for women. The policy also suggested more practical measures such as space allotment for child-care; flexible working hours; women-friendly equipment set-up and broadcast schedules; adequate lighting and security at the station; and transportation arrangements for women who live in remote areas.
Session 5: Plenary Session
At the plenary session, participants expressed their valued suggestions regarding way forward to enhance their capacity and skills in program production, broadcasting, technical set-up and operation of community radio stations. In this respect, NGO leaders stressed on the regular training and capacity building workshops for the community radio human resources from Community Radio Academy.
They also gave much emphasis on the active role of National Institute of Mass Communication (NIMC) in arranging training courses on community radio operation. They hailed the BNNRC initiative of opening national help desk in its secretariat for all out information and technical support to the community radio initiators and establishment of Community Radio Academy.
From this academy training courses, technical support and research and development support round the year are highly expected by the community radio stakeholders. Moreover, conducting a national baseline survey on CR, producing a national geographical map marking the CR locations, developing training curriculum, handbook and arranging annual conference have been planned under the activities of Community Radio Academy.
In the workshop, development organizations declared their commitment of distributing a large number of free radio sets among their stakeholders to ease the community radio listening for the poor community people.


AHM. Bazlur Rahman-S21BR
Chief Executive Officer
Bangladesh NGOs Network for Radio and Communication(BNNRC)
&
Member, Strategy Council, UN-Global Alliance for ICT and Development (UN GAID)
House: 13/1, Road:2, Shaymoli, Dhaka-1207
Post Box: 5095, Dhaka 1205 Bangladesh, Phone: 88-02-9130750, 88-02-9138501, 01711881647 Fax: 88-02-9138501-105, E-mail: ceo@bnnrc.net, bnnrc@bd.drik.net
www.bnnrc.net

September 1, 2008 | 5:08 AM Comments  0 comments
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We invite you to join Community Radio initiative in Bangladesh
Translations available in: English (original) | French | Spanish | Italian | German | Portuguese | Swedish | Russian | Dutch | Arabic

Community Radio has a very special place in BNNRC's intervention. The objective of BNNRC 's Community Radio intervention is to address crucial social issues at community level, such as poverty and social exclusion, empower marginalized rural groups and catalyze democratic processes and on going development efforts. You know BNNRC is promoting the advocacy with the government in relations to community radio with other organizations since its emergence.

Role of Community Radio in rural areas like give voice to the people who normally have no access to the mass media nor opportunity to express their views on community development, Speeds up the process of informing the community and therefore acts as a catalyst of change, Promote the right to communicate, assist the free flow of information and opinions, encourage creative expression and contribute to the democratic process and a pluralist society;

Provide access to training, production and distribution facilities; encourage local creative talent and foster local traditions; and provide program for the benefit, entertainment, education and development of their listeners.

Seek to have their ownership representative of local geographically recognizable communities or of communities of common interest. Provide a right of access to minority and marginalized groups and promote and protect cultural and linguistic diversity. Seek to honestly inform their listeners on the basis of information drawn from a diversity of sources and provide a right of reply to any person or organization subject to serious misrepresentation. Community Radio helps to put the community members in charge of their own affairs

As a result Ministry of Information of People's Republic of Bangladesh has announced the Community Radio Installation, Broadcast and Operation Policy 2008 for the first time in Bangladesh. The Ministry of information has also formulated three committees i.e National Regulatory Committee, Technical Sub Committee and Central Monitoring Committee to look after the smooth operation of community radio in Bangladesh.

By the way the technical sub-committee formed in accordance with the community radio policy 2008, sent a list of 124 Government and non-government organizations after sorting out of 180 applications to the National Regulatory Committee headed by Information Secretary. This committee selected 116 organizations eligible for license on Tuesday 15th July, 2008. Notably, 400 organizations drew application forms from the Ministry but only 180 submitted their applications for license. Having insufficient documents, papers and qualifications for the license, applications of those organizations have been ineligible of the consideration for license.

BNNRC provided technical assistance to around 200 organizations in the community radio application process through a National Help Desk on Community Radio in BNNRC Secretariat in Dhaka. Through this experience we have felt that a pro active institution should be activated to create necessary human resource, research and development and technical cooperation for Community Radio in Bangladesh.

In this backdrop, BNNRC has established Community Radio Academy. The Academy is going to provide community radio related training, technical assistance and other support round the year. We hope community radio to be the alternative and strongly effective mass media for the rural disadvantaged population to express their thinking in their own voice.

We invite you to join Community Radio initiative in Bangladesh.
ceo@bnnrc.net

July 30, 2008 | 9:17 AM Comments  0 comments
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Community Radio License to be issued within two months in Bangladesh
Translations available in: English (original) | French | Spanish | Italian | German | Portuguese | Swedish | Russian | Dutch | Arabic

Community Radio License to be issued within two months
In Bangladesh


Issuing license to set up 116 community radios in Bangladesh is under consideration of the Government. These community radio stations will start operation within two months, the concerned authority expected. Primarily 116 organizations have been identified as eligible for license of community radio in a meeting of the National Regulatory Committee held in the Ministry of Information on Tuesday 15 July, 2008.

Sources said, the technical sub-committee formed in accordance with the community radio policy 2008, sent a list of 124 Government and non-government organizations after sorting out of 180 applications to the National Regulatory Committee headed by Information Secretary. This committee selected 116 organizations eligible for license and withheld 12 organizations in its meeting on Tuesday. Notably, 400 organizations drew application forms from the Ministry but only 180 submitted their applications for license. Having insufficient documents, papers and qualifications for the license, applications of those organizations have been ineligible of the consideration for license.

The sources said, the selected list has been sent to the office of the Chief Advisor for the policy approval. After this approval, the list of the selected organizations will be sent to the Home Ministry for non-objection-certificate. Then Information Ministry will start issuing license after allocating frequency for the community radio stations by Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC). Central Monitoring Committee headed by Director General of Bangladesh Betar will monitor the community radio activities.

Primarily it is impossible to allocate frequency for more than 5 community radio stations in the coastal districts and more than 3 in other districts. Moreover, it will take only two months to allocate frequency after completing all process; it was said in the meeting.

Information Secretary Mr. Jamil Osman told that, we will try our best to issue license by completing the necessary process as early as possible. Initiatives will also be taken to create awareness among the mass people of this new mass media in the country.

Role of Community Radio at community level
Give voice to the people who normally have no access to the mass media nor opportunity to express their views on community development, Speeds up the process of informing the community and therefore acts as a catalyst of change

Promote the right to communicate, assist the free flow of information and opinions, encourage creative expression and contribute to the democratic process and a pluralist society;

Provide access to training, production and distribution facilities; encourage local creative talent and foster local traditions; and provide program for the benefit, entertainment, education and development of their listeners. Seek to have their ownership representative of local geographically recognizable communities or of communities of common interest.

Provide a right of access to minority and marginalized groups and promote and protect cultural and linguistic diversity. Seek to honestly inform their listeners on the basis of information drawn from a diversity of sources and provide a right of reply to any person or organization subject to serious misrepresentation. Community Radio helps to put the community members in charge of their own affairs.

Bangladesh NGOs Network for Radio and Communication(BNNRC) has already set up Community Radio Academy as one of its social enterprise to promote Community Radio installation, broadcasting and operation around the country.


Bazlu

_______________________
AHM. Bazlur Rahman-S21BR
Chief Executive Officer
Bangladesh NGOs Network for Radio and Communication(BNNRC)
&
Member, Strategy Council
UN-Global Alliance for ICT and Development (UN GAID)

House: 13/1, Road:2, Shaymoli, Dhaka-1207
Post Box: 5095, Dhaka 1205 Bangladesh

Phone: 88-02-9130750, 88-02-9138501
01711881647 Fax: 88-02-9138501-105

E-mail: ceo@bnnrc.net, bnnrc@bd.drik.net
www.bnnrc.net

July 18, 2008 | 9:45 AM Comments  0 comments


Rural Knowledge Center(RKC)provide Data Operators to the Voter Registration and National ID Card on going program and facilitate in the motivational campaign

Bangladesh NGOs Network for Radio and Communication (BNNRC) participates actively in Voter Registration for preparing a fresh voter list with photographs and National Identity Card (NID) program through the Rural Knowledge Centre(RKC) taken by the Bangladesh Election Commission in the countrywide.

As a part of its activities to reduce information and communication technologies divide between urban and rural, BNNRC has supported 10 Rural Knowledge Centre (RKC) through its networking member organizations. Eight upazillas of seven districts have been participated in the program. The upazillas are: Kawkhali of Rangamati district, Sitakunda and Mirsarai under Chittagong district, Hatiya under Noakhali, Charfasion of Bhola district, Bauphal of Patuakhali, Patharghata under Borguna and Zianagar of Pirojpur district.

To accelerate the Voter Registration and National ID card program, BNNRC has taken a campaign to motivate people to include their names in the voter list and to take photographs for National ID card purpose. The field workers of the respective member organizations of BNNRC like, Young Power in Social Action (YPSA), Dwip Unnayan Shangstha(DUS), COAST Trust, SPEED Trust, Sankalpa Trust and Pirojpur Gono Unnayan Samity and the youth volunteers selected by the Rural Knowledge Centre(RKCs) are actively participating in the campaign. The activities have been taken by BNNRC regarding this are as follows:

To collect posters, leaflets, stickers, paper cuttings related to campaign from other organizations and to distribute these at the field level. Continuous motivation program is going on.

A total of 66 rural youth where 48 are male and 18 are female have been enlisted as ‘Data Operator” with the cooperation of concern Upazilla Nirbahi Officer (UNO) through a selection process. Earlier, they have taken computer training from the Rural Knowledge Centres(RKC). Some of them are working at Sitakunda upazilla under Chittagong district and others are practicing computer at Rural Knowledge Centre (RKCs ) for better performance.

Moreover, a process is also going on to build up skills of 29 (Male 20 + Female 09) trainees before November. BNNRC expresses hope that a total of 95 rural youth will be included as Data Operator in the Voter Registration and National ID Card on going program of Bangladesh Election Commission of People’s Republic of Bangladesh.



--------------------
AHM Bazlur Rahman-S21BR
Chief Executive Officer
Bangladesh NGOs Network for Radio and Communication
&
Member, Strategy Council
UN-Global Alliance for ICT and Development (UN GAID)

House: 13/1, Road:2, Shaymoli, Dhaka-1207
Post Box: 5095, Dhaka 1205 Bangladesh

Phone: 88-02-9130750, 88-02-9138501
01711881647 Fax: 88-02-9138501-105

E-mail: ceo@bnnrc.net, bnnrc@bd.drik.net,
www.bnnrc.net

November 10, 2007 | 7:49 AM Comments  0 comments
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