Initiate the process for a policy of Community Television Towards Strengthening of Right to Information in Bangladesh

Date: September 20, 2012

To

Mr. Hasanul Haq Inu, MP

Hon’ble  Minister

Ministry of Information 

Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh

Bangladesh Secretariat

Dhaka-1000 

Sub:    Initiate the process for a policy of Community Television

Towards Strengthening of Right to Information in Bangladesh

 

Dear Sir,

Greetings from Bangladesh NGOs Network for Radio and Communication (BNNRC)

You will be pleased to know that all 14 community radio stations of the country (licensed under your efficient leadership) is now broadcasting 100 hours programs in a day. The important programs presently on-air include education, information related to life & livelihood, local entertainment and motivating people in govt.development activities.

At present 536 young boy and girls are working in 14 Community Radio Stations as rural level media professionals. We are providing continuous support to them through capacity development efforts, sectoral research & development and other technical inputs. You would be happy to know that, after having the training, the radio stations are in operation following the approved policy of the govt.

Also, we became able to know that there are 22 applicants received relevant security clearance and are now waiting for final approval from the Ministry of Information. We hope that a good number of new stations will soon come up by having licenses under your dynamic leadership. This is an undeniable fact that Ministry of Information is the forerunner for the present existence of 14 Community Radio stations and 100 broadcasting hours on our radio wave every day.

Therefore, to strengthen this success, we draw your attention and seek your leadership for community television policy 2012 soon.

We think that Community Television will also follow the policy guidelines of the govt, as it happens in the case of community radio operations, and telecast their programs in first 2 years through the cable operators.

You are also aware of the recently Ministry of Planning has already declared of Perspective Plan of Bangladesh. (2010-2012)  in which 07 priority issues have been identified. Some of those are as follows:

-          Achieving increased Growth rate and reduce poverty through participation

-    Ensuring institutional infrastructure for achieving higher growth rate and effective government mechanism

-          Achieving energy security to increase development and citizens' welfare

-          Mitigate Climate Change impacts

-          Accelerate new innovations on the backdrop of achieving the vision of Digital Bangladesh.

We think that Community Television can play very important role in achieving the above priorities of the Government.

Therefore, we draw your kind attention and leadership to formulate the Policy for Community Television as immediate as possible.

Sincerely Yours-

AHM Bazlur Rahman- S21BR

Chief Executive Officer

Bangladesh NGOs Network for

Radio and Communication

CC:

1.      Secretary, Ministry of Information

2.      Additional Secretary- Broadcasting, Ministry of Information

3.      Director General, Bangladesh Television

4.      Deputy Secretary- TV