World Radio day 2012 observed

 in Bangladesh 2012

13 February, Dhaka, Bangladesh

Radio is the most accessible communication media since long, the our mass community should get equal rights to the use of Radio frequency -said  Ambassador (RTD) Mohammad Zamir, Chief Information Commissioner, Information Commission while he was speaking as Chief Guest in the opening ceremony of a seminar at Bangladesh Betar Bhaban, Shah bagh, Dhaka with the support from European Union, ACTIONAID-Bangladesh, National Alliance for Risk Reduction and Response Initiative(NARRI) and Dhaka FM 90.4 in collaboration with Ministry of Information, Bangladesh Betar of  Government of People’s Republic of Bangladesh, UNESCO-Bangladesh, Bangladesh National Commission for UNESCO, Radio Today 89.6 FM, Radio Foorti 80.0 FM , Radio AAMAR 88.4 FM, ABC FM 89.2 and Peoples Rdaio91.6 FM

The seminar was organized on the occasion of observing the World Radio Day held on 13^th February, at Betar Bhaban organized by World Radio Day Observation National Committee of Bangladesh.

Secretary, Ministry of Information Mr. Hedayetullah Al Mamun, NDC and UNESCO Bangladesh Officer in Charge Mr. Kiichi Oyasu attended as Special guests. Mr. A.K.Shamim Chowdhury presided over the opening ceremony. 

Mr. Mohammad Zamir,Retd. Ambassador, Chief Information Commissioner told: we need to be aware of the rights of community access to radio frequency. In mass communication, Radio is a powerful instrument. Radio program needs to be archived/preserved and to make the programs more participatory, we need to conduct radio programs at field level,at school and college levels. Community Radio has already been popular at global level, Bangladesh has also started community radio. We hope, Community Radio will have a great role in poverty alleviation, education and disaster preparedness.

In his brief speech, UNESCO Bangladesh Officer in Charge Mr. Kiichi Oyasu mentioned the significance of observing world radio day. Radio is the low cost, affordable but most powerful media; it contributes a lot to the development efforts. UNESCO will continue support in community radio movement in Bangladesh. He also read-out joint message of Secretary General of UNESCO and International Telecommunication Union(ITU) on World Radio Day 2012.  As special guest, Mr. Hedayetullah Al Mamun also supported the radio’s immense role in community development. He expected Radio will strengthen its efforts in implementing vision 2021 of Bangladesh Government plan and MDG.

Mr. Salahudin Ahmed, Director, Bangladesh Betar welcomed the participants and the continued supports from UNESCO, all other FM stations, private channels and Community Radio Initiators.

Chairperson of the session Mr. AKM Shamim Chowdhury, Director General, Bangladesh Betar told that –Radio has strengthened our liberation struggle. Radio has played a great role in disaster preparedness. There is no alternative for Radio to have access to information stock. Radio can link to the wider audience in a most affordable and quickest way.

The technical session started after the end of opening. In technical sessions, 02 papers were presented. Mr. S M Shamim Reza, Associate Professor, Mass Communication and Journalism department ,Dhaka University presented on Radio for Development: opportunities and challenge. Mr. Faroha Sohrawardi, Regional Director, Bangladesh Betar presented on the contribution of Sir Acharya Jagadish Chandrs Bose in invention of Radio.

The discussants were: Mr. Ashfaqur Rahman Khan ex-deputy director General Bangladesh Bater, Mr. Kazi Mahamudur Rahman, ex –Director (Program) Bangladesh Bater, Professor Gityaara Nasreen, Head of the department of Mass Communication and Journalism department, Dhaka University, noted musician Mr. Azad Rahman, Mr. AHM Bazlur Rahman Chief Executive Officer, Bangladesh NGOs Network for Radio and Communication (BNNRC) and so one.

Before the seminar, a colorful rally was organized ,which has started from the main gate of Bangladesh Betar main office at Shabagh and travelled around the TSC turn of Dhaka university. Around one thousand Officials of Bangladesh Betar, all private radio FM, Community Radio stations and Bangladesh NGOs Network for Radio and Communication (BNNRC) and so one joined the colorful rally.