SDG 10: DALIT YOUTH & YOUTH WOMEN IN COMMUNITY RADIO: THE BEGINNING OF A NEW ERA FOR REDUCING INEQUALITY OF VOICE POVERTY IN BANGLADESH

Bangladesh NGOs Network for Radio and Communication (BNNRC) is implementing its Community Media Fellowship Program for Dalit youth & youth women in Media and Journalism aiming to ensure the access of Dalit communities to the mass media with support from Free Press Unlimited.

The duration of the Fellowship Program is three months. This is the sixth batch of the program engaging the rural marginalized youth communities in collaboration with Free Press Unlimited. The activity has started on 1st June 2017 and will continue up to 31st August 2017 in line with Sustainable Development Goal 10.

Total of 16 fellows has been working at 10 community radio stations in the country under the program.   Already They have produced and broadcasted altogether 160 audio programs (news bulletin/case study/life sketch etc.)  and prepared 32 reports and feature for the local newspaper. These programs and reports covered the issues like education of girl and children, women empowerment, their rights, child marriage, mother & child’s health, adolescent health, disability, transgender, ethnic and Dalits news and some success story.

To enhance these fellows’ understanding, knowledge and skills on community mobilization and  journalism in line with Women-Child and Dalit issues a two-day long training workshop on “Fellowship for Youth and Youth Women in Community Media and Journalism” was organized on 17 August 2017 at YWCA Conference Room, Mohammadpur in Dhaka

The objective of the program is to facilitate in creating an enabling environment for the Dalits youth and youth women and enrolled in the media and journalism for developing as professional community media journalist in line with the Sustainable Development Goal 10 (SDG10).

During the workshop the Dalits youth and youth women fellows learned about  basic journalism, news source, techniques of interview, challenges and way forward during interview, overview of  Dalit Communities in Bangladesh and  their sufferings and challenges, scope  of radio  reporting on Dalit Communities, radio news and program formatting, writing features in line with women, child and Dalit issues for newspaper, investigative reporting, technique and scope of investigative reporting for community media, process and technic of community mobilization and linking Dalit people with social safety net through Community Radio, Sustainable Development Goal, and appropriate use of social media and  promoting  issue based radio programs through social media.

The sessions were facilitated by Mr. Amin Al Rasheed, Joint Editor (news & current affairs) of Channel 24, Mr. Altaf Parvez of Alternative Research and Development Specialist, Mr. Nazrul Islam, Director (Training and Program), National Institute of Mass Communication, Government of the People Republic of Bangladesh, Ms. Rabeya Baby, Editor (Mohila Ongan/Women Page) of Daily Ittefaq, Ms. Farzana Rupa, Senior Journalist of Ekattor TV, Ms. Shahnaz Sharmin, Chief Reporter of Nagorik Television and Mr.  Jahangir Ahmed, Assistant Coordinator (Web & Social Media) of  BNNRC.

Mr. Reza Selim, Director, Amader Gram of BFES was attended as the closing ceremony where Mr. Avra Bhattacharjee, Deputy Director – Dialogue and Outreach, Dialogue and Communication Division, CPD and representative of the Citizen’s Platform for SDGs, Bangladesh and Ms, Elita Karim, musician and youth journalist and Editor of Star Youth Page of the Daily Star were attended as the as a guest in the training workshop.

A total of 26 participants from 10 Community Radio Stations participated in the program. Among the participants, there were 16 Fellows and 10 Mentors attending in this course.

The fellow participants were namely Johan Soren from Community Radio Padma, Rajshahi, Dalia Akter from Community Radio Lokobetar, Barguna, Sunity Sinha from Radio Pollikantho, Moulvibazar, Jahangir Alam & Nomita Chowdhury from Community Radio Mahananda, Chapainawabganj,. Luttfonnahar  Happy & Sharmin Nahar from Community  Radio Chilmari, Kurigram, Sharmin Akhtar Ankhi from Radio Sundarban, Khulna,  Moly Rani Das & Ridoy Lal from Radio Bikrampur, Munshiganj,  Tumpa Rani Paul & Subrata Halder from Community Radio Borendra, Naogaon, Lima Begum & Kamrun Nanar Tania from Community Radio Meghna, Bhola, Lata Rani Rabidas & Khilon Das from Community Radio Sarabela, Gaibandha.

The mentors were Sadi Mahmood Community Radio Padma, Abida Sultana from Community Radio Lokobetar, Tahmid Ahmed from Community Radio Pollikantho, Md. Noyon Ali from Community Radio Mahananda, Mizanur Rahman from Community Radio Chilmari, Robiul Islam from Radio Sundarban, Md. Musfiqur Salahin from Radio Bikrampur, Shahrina Sultana Jui from Community Radio Borendra, Mosume Das from Community Radio Meghna, Afsana Mimi from Community Radio Sarabela.

It is to be mentioned here that since 2013 there were 87 youth women from 16 Community Radio Stations who have received this Fellowship on Journalism under the fellowship program.

The Community Radios are becoming an active ground for organizing dialogues at rural level. These dialogues will help the rural mass to find out their own voice and ensure leverage their free opinion in respect of social, economic, political ,cultural and environmental issues.

Bangladesh’s Community Media Sector Urge ​​Pushing Myanmar to Stop Rohingya ‘Genocide’​

Bangladesh’s Community Media Sector Urge

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Pushing Myanmar to Stop Rohingya ‘Genocide’

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Bangladesh’s community media sector demanded that global and neighboring countries leaders, civil societies of Myanmar and the United Nations (UN) put pressure on the Myanmar government to stop “genocide” and persecution against Rohingyas.

Community Media Sector wants to register grave concern that the Rohingya issue must get the highest priority and a decision on pressurizing Myanmar should be adopted at the next meeting of UN Human Rights Council. The latest violence drew concern as it took place just the day when a commission led by the former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan submitted its report with recommendations to address the root cause of the problem such as giving them citizenship to ensure basic rights.

Kofi Annan was appointed by state counselor Aung San Suu Kyi to head a year-long commission tasked with healing long-simmering divisions between the Rohingya Muslims and Buddhists in the western state, which is one of the poorest

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​region​

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 in Myanmar.

The Foreign Minister of Bangladesh announced on Sunday 10 September, nearly 300,000 Rohingyas to Bangladesh from Myanmar’s Rakhine State since Aug 25 violence. Already in the country before the latest refugee wave at 400,000. Reports are flooding in of killings by the Myanmar security forces, as satellite images suggest that entire villages have been burned. 

Bangladesh’s community media sector would like to take this opportunity to extend sincere thanks and gratitude to Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh for providing shelter to the Rohingyas. The government of Bangladesh has already allocated primarily 2,000 acres of forest land to build a temporary camp for the refugees and Bangladesh has already been hosting around 4,00,000 Rohingyas for three decades in line with generosity in responding to this humanitarian crisis. The Government of Bangladesh has decided to bring all of them under biometric registration. A total of over 7,00,000 Myanmar nationals are now in Bangladesh. Amid the influx of Myanmar nationals, the government has formed a ‘Rohingya Cell’ at the Home Ministry’s Public Security Division to extensively monitor the overall situation and the law and order in the bordering areas of Bandarban and Cox’s Bazar districts.

It is with great concern and disappointment that Rohingya villagers and activists say thousands of civilians have been killed. The number cannot be verified because authorities have limited access for aid workers and journalists to areas where the deaths occurred. Recent satellite images show thousands of houses were burned. Nobody will understand their sufferings unless visiting the area.

Another estimated 20,000 people are stranded in the “no man’s land” between the two countries. Much more are risking their lives by trying to escape in fishing boats, traveling from Myanmar to Bangladesh - some are badly injured, and with children in line with the violence could spiral into a “humanitarian catastrophe” Meanwhile, this is another low in what is already a horrific situation in Rakhine State. The Myanmar military’s callous use of inherently indiscriminate and deadly weapons at highly trafficked paths around the border is putting the lives of ordinary people at enormous risk.

All the refugees are confirming that the attacks are by the Myanmar security forces.Thousands of people – mostly Rohingyas are also believed to be stranded in the mountains of northern Rakhine State. They have no voice to the Myanmar media and restricted to operate Community Media.

This isn’t the first time Myanmar Security Forces have abused Rohingyas - in the last year, they have tortured, raped, arrested and disappeared many of them, and destroyed their homes and property. What is happening in Myanmar today offers valuable insights into what lies ahead for humanity.

The Rohingyas have lived in Myanmar for generations but are not granted citizenship by the Buddhist-majority Government, and live with apartheid-like restrictions and abject poverty in Rakhine State.  

According to International State Crime Initiative (ISIC’s) report that the Rohingyas have been, and continue to be, stigmatized, dehumanized and discriminated against. They have been harassed, terrorized and slaughtered. They have been isolated and segregated into detention camps and securitized villages and ghettos. They have been systematically weakened through hunger, illness, denial of civil rights and loss of livelihood. All of this places them at high risk of annihilation.

Legal and administrative structures must be created that guarantees the establishment and development of community media and community radio of voices for the Rohingya. Requesting to Myanmar government to respect international laws and treaties that focus on the issue of the freedom of expression and Access to information and Rohingyas rights in community media must be guaranteed through clear constitutional amendments.

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Bangladesh’s community media sector urgently seek to provide improved security and humanitarian assistance,

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in particular ;

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Significant reduction in cases of abuse and violence & reduction in the numbers of displaced persons

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Increase in access to humanitarian aid, Media and human rights services for vulnerable populations

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Reinforcement of targeted protection, especially for women, children, persons with disability and senior citizens

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Ensuring that Rohingyas are able to return to their Rakhine State. from Bangladesh to Myanmar

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Reducing impunity and urgently bringing to justice those responsible for violence and human rights violations

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Promote dialogue between Myanmar communities about Rohingyas return and facilitate direct dialogue between Rohingyas and Myanmar people in  

Rakhine State.

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According to bilateral agreement in 1992 between Bangladesh & Myanmar, Myanmar Government should be recognized Rohingyas as “Members of   

Myanmar Society”.

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Myanmar Government Should Create spaces on the airwaves for diverse and marginalized voices, irrespective of caste, creed, race, color, gender,​ ​

sexuality, faith, and differently-abled or other differences;

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Myanmar Government should be recognized the voices of all Rohingyas, internally displaced peoples and communities in community radios and support their establishment, ownership, and management of their own community radios;

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Bangladesh’s community media sector expressed their hope that the members of the United Nations and neighboring countries would come forward urgently to help to solve the Rohingya crisis and pressure Myanmar put into practice the measures recommended by the Kofi Annan Commission and must urgently lift restrictions on movement, review and amend the country's discriminatory citizenship laws in line with Rohingyas as “Members of Myanmar Society”.

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Bazlu

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AHM. Bazlur Rahman-S21BR | Chief Executive Officer |
Bangladesh NGOs Network for Radio and Communication (BNNRC)
[Consultative Status with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations]
 
House: 9/4 Road: 2, Shaymoli, Dhaka-1207|  Bangladesh|
Phone: +88-02-9130750| 9101479 | Cell: +88 01711881647 
Fax: 88-02-9138501 | E-mail: ceo@bnnrc.net | bnnrcbd@gmail.com | 

www.bnnrc.net

Two Projects of Bangladesh NGOs Network for Radio and Communication has recognised as a Champions in UN World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) Prizes 2017

Two Projects of Bangladesh NGOs Network for Radio and Communication has recognised as a Champions in UN World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) Prizes 2017

International Telecommunication Union(ITU) announced 90 Champions of the prestigious WSIS Prizes contest while the 18 Winners, out of these 90 Champions, will be recognized at a ceremony at Geneva International Conference Centre on 13 June, as part of the annual WSIS Forum 2017 (12 - 16 June).

Two Projects from BNNRC has recognised as a Champions of the prestigious WSIS Prizes contest

The projects are: ONLINE COMMUNITY BROADCASTING LIBRARY (OCBL) FOR ACCESS TO INFORMATION AND KNOWLEDGE IN BANGLADESH. Project supported by Free Press Unlimited. & European Union.

ENGLISH LANGUAGE THROUGH COMMUNITY RADIO IN RURAL BANGLADESH. Project supported by American Center.
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Champions
WSIS Prizes honor outstanding projects that leverage the power of information and communication technology (ICT) to accelerate socio-economic development. Besides the highlighted relevance of the project to the respective WSIS Action Line as referenced in the Geneva Plan of Action, the selection process was based on the project's impact on the community and linkages with the Sustainable Development.
345 ICT success stories from around the world were nominated for the Online Voting Phase (30 March – 30 April) following a comprehensive review by the Expert Group of 467 submitted projects submitted by the WSIS Stakeholder community. Based on the results of the intensive Online Voting Phase, which saw over 1.1 million votes cast by WSIS stakeholders, a selection of winning projects was made by the Expert Group.

The eighteen winners will go on to win WSIS Prizes 2017 and will be presented with an award at the WSIS Prizes ceremony during the WSIS Forum 2017, 12-16 June 2017 in Geneva, Switzerland. At the same occasion, 72 WSIS Prize 2017 Champions (first four runner-up projects in each category) will be recognized during the special ceremony dedicated to their success and will receive special certificates of achievement.

Out of 345 nominated projects, based on regional distribution, there are:

49 projects are from the Africa region
45 projects from the Americas region
78 projects are from the Arab region
88 projects from the Asia and Pacific region
41 projects from the CIS region
42 projects from the Europe region
5 nominated projects come from international organizations

Out of 345 nominated projects, based on entity distribution, there are:
145 from the government sector
78 from business sector
56 from civil society
22 from international organizations
47 from other entities
http://www.itu.int/net4/wsis/prizes/2017/

Community Radio Broadcasters Selected for Professional Fellowship on Community Radio from a Digital Foundation in Oklahoma University, US

Community Radio based English Language learning has a great potential that reduces the gap between urban and rural settings of their families lives. English Language through Community Radio has become one of the most popular programs of the community radios in Bangladesh. Listeners’ numbers are increasing day by day; more than 300 English language trained rural teachers are now working with the Community Radio station as a resource broadcasters.

Bangladesh NGOs Network for Radio and Communication (BNNRC) has Piloted the project in one Community Radio station in 2012, then the project was replicated in another 4 community radio stations and finally the project have been replicating in all 17 community radio stations since 2015 with support from The American Center, Dhaka through American English Radio Project (AERP). AERP is making it easy for teachers and listeners to incorporate activities and practices into their lessons using 17 Community Radio station in rural Bangladesh

Gaylord College of Journalism and Mass Communication of University of Oklahoma in collaboration with United States Embassy in Dhaka and Bangladesh NGOs Network for Radio and Communication (BNNRC) is to host a five-week professional exchange on Community Radio from a Digital Foundation in the United States of America that includes a professional fellowship placement at an American small business organization.

Community Radio from a Digital Foundation is funded by the U. S. Embassy in Dhaka will inject Bangladesh Community Radio Broadcasters into working community radio stations in Oklahoma and associate them with one of the America’s leading universities. The program aims to provide professional experience and training that will nurture participants’ talent and prepare them for more responsible leadership positions in their organizations, communities, and society in general.

Five Community broadcasters from 3 Community radio stations along with Coordinator, American English Radio Project of BNNRC will avail the opportunity. The title of the program is “Community Radio from a Digital Foundation”. The program will be started on June 30, 2017 and concluded by August 04, 2017.

The American Center, Dhaka and Bangladesh NGOs Network for Radio and Communication (BNNRC) have invited applications for the fellowship from the 1st and 2nd piloted 5 community radio stations.

A total of 15 Community Radio Broadcasters have submitted their application and 5 participants from three radio stations were finally selected for the program through day long examination. Categorically 2 Station Managers, 2 producers and one local English Language teacher along with Coordinator, American English Radio Project (AERP) of BNNRC will participate in the Community Radio from a Digital Foundation program.

The participants are Ms. Shahana Parveen, Station Manager, and Ms. Ayesha Siddika Anu, Producer & Presenter, Community Radio Padma 99.2, Rajshahi, Mr. Mehedi Hasan, Station Manager, and Mr. Md. Kamruzzaman, Producer & Focal, Community Radio Pollikontho 99.2, Moulvibazar. Mr. Swapon Kumar Biswas, Facilitator, Community Radio Jhenuk 99.2, Jhenaidah and Mr. Mark Manash Saha, Coordinator, American English Radio Project (AERP) of Bangladesh NGOs Network for Radio and Communication (BNNRC)

Six member Bangladeshi Community Broadcasters will be pleased in professional placements with the Oklahoman community radio stations and will spend three weeks with these organization.

The first week of the program will be spend at both the placements and on the Gaylord Collage of Journalism and Mass Communication of University of Oklahoma campus where Bangladeshi Community Broadcasters will participate in lecture, discussion and practical session focused on the role of community media, media in society, strategic communication, leadership and management principles, social media developments, the media/government interface and media ethics.

The final week of the program will be spent in Washington, D.C. where Bangladeshi Community Broadcasters will visit the Bangladesh Embassy, media organizations and tour some of the cultural activities the city has to offer.

The English Language program through Community Radio project has recognized as Champions in UN World Summit on the Information Society (UN WSIS) Prizes 2017. This is a great opportunity, honor and recognition for the community radio in Bangladesh and as well as around the world in line with voices for the voiceless and voices to be heard.

Bangladesh NGOs Network for Radio and Communication (BNNRC) actively works to improve the recognition of the community electronic media sector [Community Radio, Community TV, and Community Film] in Bangladesh with support from Free Press Unlimited.

www.bnnrc.net

Seven Community Radio Stations in the Coastal areas of Bangladesh Broadcast 176 Hours Radio Programs to address Cyclone storm MORA

Since May 29, 2017, Seven Community Radio Stations in coastal region of Bangladesh were broadcasted a total of 176 hour radio programs continuously to aware the community people to take preventive measures to address the Cyclone storm MORA.

The content of the radio programs were focused on the preparedness before, during and the post stages of the disaster for saving peoples’ life and assets. Besides, the public service announcements were also broadcasted in line with Standing Orders on Disaster (SOD) of the Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh.

The Community Radio Program were the updated weather bulletins forecasted by BANGLADESH METEOROLOGICAL DEPARTMENT in every 15 minutes interval, Public Service Announcements, drama, prior preparatory activities for facing the cyclone, news, interviews, magazine program etc.

Interviews of Disaster expert in line with national and local , Deputy Commissioner(DC), Upazilla Nirbahi Officer(UNO), In charge of Upazilla Disaster Control Room, Deferent Government line Officials, CPP Officer, Field workers & volunteer of Red Crescent Society, responsible NGO workers, Victims, listener club leaders, youth and youth women etc. were conducted and broadcasted with a local dialect.

Through these interviews, information was shared with the communities related to the preparedness for saving lives and assets. 91 community radio broadcasters and volunteers were broadcast the programs and community peoples were tuned the radio programs to get the updates related to cyclone storm “MORA”.

Radio stations have been maintaining liaison with the disaster monitoring cells at district and upazila level. Besides, they continued contact with the representatives Red Crescent, Scouts and other disaster volunteers at local levels. The members of Radio Listener Clubs have also been initiating awareness raising campaign on the preparedness activities within the community, neighbors and relatives. CRS representatives have participated in the coordination meetings related to of Upazilla and district level Disaster preparedness and Control committee.

All seven Community Radio Stations in the coastal zone namely Community Radio Naf 99.2 of Teknaf, Cox’s Bazar; Sagor Giri 99.2 of Sitakund, Chittagong, Sagor Dwip 99.2 of Hatia, Noakhali; Meghna 99.0 of Charfasion, Bhola Island, Community Rural Radio: Krishi Radio 98.2 of Amtali, Barguna, Lokobetar 99.2, Barguna Sadar and Nalta 99.2 of Kaliganj, Satkhira have been operating the special radio programs continuously.

Radio programs targeted to draw the attention of the coastal communities for equipping them properly in advance for facing cyclone “MORA” and reduce the possible damage of lives and assets. Addressing the need of the communities, the stations kept their stations on-air mode for 24 hours by managing alternative power supply generators, sufficient fuel and operators standby.

Bangladesh NGOs Network for Radio and Communication (BNNRC) has opened a help desk centrally to contact and coordinate with the CRSs and shared the updates, relevant documents on Cyclone preparedness, available PSA and weather bulletins forecasted from Bangladesh Metrological Department. Radio station level contact points were:

Mr. Siddiqur Hossain, Station Manager In-charge, Community Radio Naf, (Tekhnaf Upazila, Cox’s Bazar) Phone: +88 01716 53 00 58, E-Mail: siddiktk.77@gmail.com

Mr. Sha Sultan Shamim, Station Manager, Community Radio Sagar Giri, Sitakunda Upazila, Chittagong, Phone: +88 01712 02 10 97 E-Mail: shamim_ypsa@yahoo.com

Mr. Faisal Uddin, Station In-charge, Community Radio Sagor Dwip, Hatia, Upazila Noakhali
Phone: +88 01700604141 E-Mail: faisalhatiya@hotmail.com

Ms. Ankhi Rani, Assistant Station Manager, Community Radio Meghna, Charfasion Upazila,
Bhola Island, Phone: +8801719848282 E-Mail: aki.radiomeghna@gmail.com

Mr. Shamim Mridha, Radio Focal person, Community Rural Radio Krishi Radio, Amtali Upazila Barguna, Phone: +8801713 68 88 89 E-Mail: shamim.crr@gmail.com

Mr. Monir Hossain Kamal, Station Manager, Community Radio Lokobetar , Barguna Sadar
Phone: +88 01716 32 71 51 E-Mail: monirkamal@gmail.com

Mr. Selim Sharier, Station Manager, Community Radio Radio Nalta, Kaliganj, Satkhira
Phone: +88 01713902783 E-Mail: selimsharier@gmail.com

Mr. Kamaruzzaman, Disaster Control Room In-charge of Bangladesh NGOs Network for Radio and Communication (BNNRC), Dhaka Phone: 8801711131211 E-Mail: pc@bnnrc.net

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Bazlu
________________________
AHM. Bazlur Rahman-S21BR | Chief Executive Officer |
Bangladesh NGOs Network for Radio and Communication (BNNRC)
[Consultative Status with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations]

House: 9/4 Road: 2, Shaymoli, Dhaka-1207| Bangladesh|
Phone: +88-02-9130750| 9101479 | Cell: +88 01711881647
Fax: 88-02-9138501 | E-mail: ceo@bnnrc.net | bnnrcbd@gmail.com |
www.bnnrc.net

Role of Community Radio in Sustainable Development Goals(SDGs)

Community Media Map in Bangladesh

Community Radio Stations Map in Bangladesh