Regarding Certificate Course on Community Media in Bangladesh

Date: 30 September, 2013

Dr. Sultan Hafeez Rahman

Executive Director

Institute of Governance Studies, BRAC University

SK Center (5th - 7th Floor), GP, JA-4, TB Gate,

Mohakhali, Dhaka 1212

Subject:  Regarding Certificate Course on Community Media

Dear Sir,

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

BNNRC is in special consultative status with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations.

BNNRC represents the community media sector to Government, Academia, Industry, Regulatory Bodies, Media and Development Partners.

BNNRC has been struggling for the last 13 years to open up the community media (including Community Radio, Community Television and Community film) and giving focus on its vital role as voices of the voiceless people.

Now 14 Community Radio Stations are on-air in the country, aiming to ensure empowerment and right to information for the rural community. They are broadcasting altogether 120 hours program per day on information, education, local entertainment and development motivation activities. Around 536 Youth Women & Youth are now working with those Stations throughout the country as rural broadcasters.

 The reality of today is that the bondage between the community people and local-level community radio stations are getting strengthened day-by-day. Community Radio has now become their part of life. Community Radio becomes the instrument for the livelihood battle of the rural people.

BNNRC established the Community Media News Agency (CMNA), Community Media Academy (CMA) and Monthly Community Media to share development news & building capacity for the Community Media sector in Bangladesh.  We have now started advocacy with the Government of Bangladesh to open up Community Television for Development. We hope that, community television will come into being within a short time in Bangladesh.

  

It any course on Community Media like Community Radio, Community Television, Community Film and Social Media is introduced at this stage of its further development. We think the Community Media knowledge sharing between school of thought and school of practice will be strengthened.

School of Media and Cultural Studies of Tata Institute of Social Sciences is running post graduate diploma in community media (PGDCM) in Mumbai, India.

Therefore, we would like to draw your kind attention to give necessary direction for

introducing a certificate course on Community Media under the supervision of JATRI of

BRAC University

We strongly believe, your kind support in this dimension for strengthening and building capacity of the community media sector in Bangladesh

Wishing Your Good Health

Sincerely Yours-

With Best Regards,

AHM. Bazlur Rahman-S21BR
Chief Executive Officer, BNNRC

&

Member

 Central Monitoring Committee on Community Radio of Ministry of Information

 Cc:  JATRI & BRAC University