Saturday, August 4, 2012

Strengthening Community Radio in Bangladesh



Bangladesh NGOs Network for Radio and Communication (BNNRC) is a national networking body working for building a democratic society based on the principles of free flow of information, equitable and affordable access to Information and Communication Technology for Development (ICT4D) of remote and marginalized population. This is the outcome of a long-term advocacy effort by BNNRC and other civil society organizations that govt.has finally approved Community Radio Installation, Operation and Broadcasting Policy in the year 2008 and approved licenses to 14 CR initiators on 22nd April 2010. If they succeed, they are going to be the pioneers in this sector. Apart from advocacy for community radio BNNRC is concerned and working for promoting Right to Information and reducing digital divide by adopting different strategies.
So far we know, the CR initiators have progressed well towards set up and initial kick-off. Until today, 08 organizations have got spectrum and the rest 06 are on the waiting list. We hope BTRC will soon allocate frequency to the rest of the Initiators. Thanks to BTRC for their untiring efforts throughout the process. At the moment, BNNRC is working for capacity development of the initiators, although it includes challenges, but also all of us agreed that community radio has much to do in rural community development. With this belief, BNNRC has been implementing different development activities in partnership with different development partners.USAID –DAI has extended its support to BNNRC through its USAID-PRAGATI for implementing the project-“Strengthening Community Radio” since August 2010.This project has aimed to strengthen the capacity and skill of the CR Initiators so that they will acquire efficiency to operate the CR stations effectively. To achieve the objectives the project was designed and included activities like training, workshop, interactive dialogues etc.  

Until today (March 15, 2011) through the support of USAID-PRAGATI, BNNRC has developed 05 training modules on Basic Journalism, Production skill, Content Development, Governance and corruption issues. As for Radio contents, BNNRC has organized and consulted the initiators and prepared an outline for the proposed contents of the Community Radio. The dates and schedules have been fixed for dialogues at divisional levels in Rangpur, Khulna, Barisal, Sylhet and Chittagong.

This training –the training on Station Management –is an important area in which station staffs need to have true skill and knowledge. I think, this is going to be an in-time event for the CR staffs; this training is being conducted in such a moment when the CR effort is to take off the runway! The trainers of this training will include the skilled and efficient resource persons; among those you will find the best mix of reputed radio experts, academics, radio journalists, engineers and development practitioners.

I personally share my gratitude and thanks to Mr. Hugh C. Orozco, the Chief of Party USAID-PROGATI for his gracious presence in this event .I am very much aware Mr.Orozco has a feeling and sublime motivation to promote community radio in rural areas. He has got extensive working experience in this regard. Our thanks also go to his colleague Mr.Zahid and other team members in USAID-PRAGATI.
I must congratulate and welcome my fellow partners coming from different selected CR areas. I expect your safe stay and effective return out of this training. 

No comments:

Post a Comment