Workshop for ICT Journalist:
ICT Journalism Supplements the ICT for Development Movement
in Bangladesh
In order to expedite journalism with the technological empowerment, in collaboration with Bangladesh NGOs Network for Radio and Communication (BNNRC) Bangladesh ICT Journalist Forum (BIJF) and Young Power in Social Action(YPSA) organized workshop on Transform the digital divide into digital opportunities through Rural Knowledge Center(RKC) for local journalists of Chittagong in Bangladesh recently.
The rationales of organizing this workshop was of four folds;
a) to inform the media people of the role of ICT for fostering development
b) to gather first hand knowledge through field visit of different ICT4D initiatives
c) to ensure media exposure for overcoming different impediments, and
d) to brainstorm for finding out alternative ways under ICT4D so that rural people can bring and sustain positive changes in their life and livelihood.
Dissemination of information has been a problem until now but the intervention of information and communication technology (ICT) has revolutionized communication and information sharing, believed experts.
The workshop conducted by M A Haque Anu, President BIJF and Assistant Editior of monthly Computer Jagat, was attended by M. Nasirul Haque, former president of Chittagong Journalists Union and Chief Reporter of the Daily Shuprabhat of Chittagong, AHM Bazlur Rahman, Chief Executive Officer, BNNRC and Md. Arifur Rahman, Chief Executive, Young Power in Social Action (YPSA).
At the workshop Mr. Arifur Rahman talked about YPSA’s establishment o Youth Community Multimedia Center (YCMC) at Sitakund supported by UNESCO targeted for community development through information dissemination over electronic media. ‘Our target has been towards the young people and we are providing them a series of technological mediums.’ He also emphasized on the misconception of technology that usually referred to a computer only. “Technology is a vast concept with a series of mediums,’ he explained.
Sitakund is a disaster prone area. ‘ we have the plans for developing an early warning system through community radio in near future’ Mr. Rahman promised. Besides, YCMC, YPSA also enlightens the world of blind people through brail education on computers. With the use of a technology called the Digital Accessibility Information System (DAISY), around 25 people from YPSA’s center at Chittagong have had computer literacy.
Chief Executive Officer of BNNRC Mr. Bazlur Rahman informed the journalists that Chittagong is their first point of penetration with ICT for Development.
Mr. Rahman further added that BNNRC has an immediate plan to introduce more than six Rural Knowledge Centers through out the country very soon. ‘The NET for Journalists’ has been an initiative from UNESCO, Commonwealth Broadcasting Associationand The Thomson foundation. BIJF and BNNRC have the plan to introduce a Bangla version of the book.
‘BIJF has plans to hold such workshops frequently across the country with journalists in collaboration with BNNRC aiming to take technology as a pro -poor priority’ Mr. Anu promised.
‘Let it be the reader, viewer of listener, media enrolls technology,’ said ABM Hasan, representative of BIJF. ‘We should be self sufficient as journalists with all the equipments and technological knowledge,; he believed. He requested the local journalists of Chittagong for the inclusion of technology that could help them in their daily profession.
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AHM Bazlur Rahman-S21BR
MSS in Government & Politics
Chief Executive Officer
Bangladesh NGOs Network for Radio and Communication
House: 13/1, Road:2, Shaymoli, Dhaka-1207
Post Box: 5095, Dhaka 1205 Bangladesh
Phone: 88-02-9130750, 88-02-9138501
0171881647 Fax: 88-02-9138501-105
E-mail: info@bnnrc.net, bnnrc@bd.drik.net, bnnrc@siriusbb.com
www.bnnrc.net
