Introduction
The role of radio is indispensible in
case of instant availability to get easy way of communication. But still there
is no any radio media is standing to serve to specially raise voices for the
different levels of grass root communities in our country. Community Radio
Station can be specially designed to run by these marginalized communities,
using their own language, ensuring their active participation and own
management, where they can find reflections of their dreams through coordinating
with their own local knowledge, culture and efforts with updated national and
global knowledge and technology. The Community Radios can play a very
significant role in providing these knowledge and information on various local
development issues among the poor communities living in rural areas. By
broadcasting the information on various development issues, including
education, entertainment, disaster risk reduction, updated market price and by
providing services of both government and other private or non-government
organizations through active people’s participation, the Community Radios can
contribute in national level development and as well as to make a very successful digital Bangladesh.
Having been influenced and motivated in
this ideology, Bangladesh NGOs Network for Radio and Communication (BNNRC) mobilized
various NGOs, International and UN organizations and the members and
specialists of different civil society groups by arranging meetings, seminars, dialogues and publications
and highlighted the importance and consequences of the Community Radio.
Realizing the significance of the Community
Radio, the Government has announced the Community Radio Installation, Broadcast
and Operation Policy 2008.Considering the basic human rights, freedom of
speech, good governance issues, free flow of information and security policies
and people’s right to information the “Ministry of Information” of People's
Republic of Bangladesh enacted “Community Radio station for Installation,
Broadcast and Operation Policy, 2008.” In this continuation, the concerned ministries
of the government of its history of Bangladesh have approved 14 Community Radio
stations on 22 April, 2009.
Under this policy, Community Radio will
direct not only on development of socio-economical aspects and national
development plans of actions and moreover give emphasis to keep national
interest as a top priority. Simultaneously at the same way, this media,
maintaining its unique identity, will be dedicated to broadcast the special national
and international and also common events for the disadvantaged groups,
especially engaged with women and children issues and to identify also the
development of the wellbeing of the poor.
The following sample of “Code of
Conduct for Community Radio (CR) Operation” is presented to all by BNNRC,
taking into account the reflection of the expectations and interests of the
development workers, RTI workers, human and social activists, those who
considered themselves accountable to the community.
Definitions:
1.
This Code of Conduct shall be known
as the “Code
of Conduct of Community Radio (CR) Operation”.
2.
This Code of Conduct is expected to be
applicable from the beginning of the CRS broadcast.
3.
This Code of Conduct shall be applicable to
all CR initiators and CR staff of Bangladesh, who got license from the
government.
4. Radio Workers” shall denote
everyone involved with community radio, including Station Manager, Operator,
journalists, volunteer, producer and/or the other associates.
5.
Community Radio shall denote a radio
that has been granted CRS license from the
Ministry of Information of People's Republic of Bangladesh.
What
Community Radio should do:
1. Community Radio
proceeds according to the “Community Radio station for Installation, Broadcast
and Operation Policy, 2008, enacted by the Ministry of Information of People's
Republic of Bangladesh.
2. Community Radio keeps uphold the values and principles
of freedom and sovereignty of the country including overall national
development.
3. Community Radio
will strongly determine to create a society that functions according to the
ethics with a practice and inclusion of democratic values, rule of law, values
of socio-cultural and human rights, social justice and transparency.
4. Broadcast programs and material catering to the local
needs and public demand, with special focus on publicizing and developing local
cultural heritage and originality, languages, art, folk literature and music, preservation
and promotion of industry, culture, literature, talent and originality.
5. Participation of the community in the management,
operation and control of the radio should be ensured.
6. Endeavour to harmonious relations by communicating
each other, unity and exchange of knowledge and resource sharing among radio
workers throughout the country.
7. Provide priority to issues that promote local community
empowerment, social goodwill, harmony, fraternity and integrity.
8. Broadcast news, opinions and programs based on facts
and relevance. In order to be balanced, the opinion of all the parties involved
in any event or issues have to be presented.
9. In general, the source of any news should be mentioned
but if the source requires anonymity, confidentiality shall be respected. This
practice will be specially followed in women and children issues.
10. In the event of
any factual error during broadcasts, a correction shall be made immediately.
11. Programs responsive to social justice and those that
raise a voice for the disempowered, the helpless, the vulnerable women and
children of social backwardness should be broadcast on priority basis.
12. CR should be free of influence from any person, group,
belief, organization or political party.
13. Community Radio
should be committed to a free & sovereign nation and national unity.
14. CR should be alert against the possibility of
adversely affecting cordial relations with neighboring and other friendly
countries.
15. Language used
for all communities, caste/ethnic groups, regions, professionals, classes and
gender should be respectful. All caste/ethnic groups, religions, languages,
gender and cultures should be treated equally. It should be ensured that the
materials broadcast should not hurt the values and beliefs of the community either
in contents or language.
16. While appointing employees in the radio station,
inclusion of gender, caste, ethnic groups and local community should be
assured.
17. Maintain friendly relations with other radio stations
and remain united in purpose to work towards the collective interest. Support
all kinds of conflict management by peace and good governance.
18. Everyone associated with the radio station should be
encouraged to follow a professional conduct. Emphasis should be on following
the journalists ‘code of conduct.
19. Community Radio will play significant role in
education, information dissemination, entertainment, development concept and in
the movement of preservation of press freedom and freedom of expression.
20. The income and expenditure of CR stations will be
guided by the Financial Manual and financial transparency will be ensured
through regular auditing,
21. Ensure Regular Reporting on the activities of
Community Radio; submit to relevant authority and preserve.
22. Community Radio Station will act facilitators’ role to
ensure information accessibility to the grassroots community under Right to
Information Act.
23. Community Radio (CR) will stand against all
corruptions and protect.
24. Community Radio will stand against all social evils
and superstitions.
25. Community Radio will work for empowerment of the poor,
reduce digital divide, ICT-based knowledge and information exchange, will
contribute to locality-based ICT and access to digitally divided community.
26. Community Radio will assist in identifying local problems
and recommends solution, will attempt National Development Plans. Community Radio will engage the disadvantaged
community in planning and implementing of the development plan.
27. Community Radio should follow according to the UN
declarations of Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
28. Community Radio should contribute in implementation of
“National Policy of Development for Women” and “National Policy of Development
for Children”
29. CR should always broadcast moral education to radio
listeners.
What
community radio should avoid:
1.
Do not broadcast matter that
denigrate or insult any community, class, religion, linguistic groups or that
create hostility between any cast/ethnic groups, religious groups, communities
and class.
2.
Should not become the mouthpiece or
publicity vehicle of any particular party. Should not broadcast material under
the influence of any party or to be prejudiced against them.
3.
Should not broadcast matters that
instigate hostility, conflict and emotions in society.
4.
Should not broadcast any
advertisements or materials that adversely affect the general wellbeing,
cultural heritage and common interests.
5.
Should not broadcast matters that
lead to the harm or deterioration of the environment or sustainable
development.
6.
Should not broadcast matters that adversely
affect national unity, interest and integrity.
7.
Should not broadcast notices or advertisements
that cause harm to the community or assault the positive aspects of the
country’s economic, social, moral or cultural domains.
8.
Should not broadcast news that carries
the views of only one side in any controversial issue where community radio
will stand for top neutrality.
9.
Contradictory news and programs
should be produced and broadcast following balanced and professional ethics.
Should not infringe on the personal matters of any individual or family.
10. Matters
that are create overwrought or distasteful should not be broadcast.
11. Materials
that denigrate women, children or various linguistic or cast/ethnic groups and
that encourage social discord should not be broadcast.
12. Should
not broadcast materials that add to the sufferings of those in trouble or
facing injustice.
Produced and circulated By BNNRC, supported by UNICEF,
Bangladesh
|
|
Name
of the Community
|
Name
of the Initiating Organizations
|
|
01
|
Radio ChilMari
|
RDRS Bangladesh
|
|
02
|
Radio Mukti
|
Landless Distressed Rehabilitation
Organization(LDRO)
|
|
03
|
Barendra Community Radio
|
Naogaon Human Rights Development
Association(NHRDO)
|
|
04
|
Radio Mahananda
|
Proyash Manabik Unnayan
Society(Proyash MUS)
|
|
05
|
Radio Padma
|
CCD Bangladesh
|
|
06
|
Radio Jhinuk
|
Srizoni Bangladesh
|
|
07
|
Radio Nalta
|
Nalta Hospital and Community
Health Foundation
|
|
08
|
Radio Sundarban
|
Broadcasting Asia Bangladesh (BAB)
|
|
09
|
Lok Betar
|
Mass Line Media Center(MMC)
|
|
10
|
Community Rural Radio
|
Agriculture Information
Service(AIS),Ministry of Agriculture
|
|
11
|
Radio NAF
|
Alliance for Cooperation and Legal
Aid Bangladesh(ACLAB)
|
|
12
|
Radio Sagargiri
|
Young Power in Social Action(YPSA)
|
|
13
|
Radio Bikrampur
|
Environment Council Bangladesh(EC
Bangladesh)
|
|
14
|
Radio Pally Kantha
|
BRAC
|
Consultants
|
01
|
Mr.Faroha Suharowardi
|
Deputy Director,Bangladesh
Betar,Dhaka
|
|
02
|
Mr.S.M.Shamim Reza
|
Professor, Dept.of Mass
Communication & Journalism, Dhaka University, Dhaka.
|
No comments:
Post a Comment