Eleventh Parliamentary Election 2018 in Bangladesh: 100 Community Radio Reporters in action

18 Community Radio Stations in Bangladesh have deployed around 100 Community Radio Reporters on the eve of Eleventh Parliamentary Election for Election Reporting. According to community radio reporters, the election is going on smoothly with the colorful, pleasant, festive mood and befitting manner.

Meanwhile, no violence was recorded from the coverage areas of Radio Stations till now. 

A total of 10,42,38,677 voters, including 5,25,72,365 male and 5,16,66,312 female, are expected to cast their votes at 206,477 polling booths of the 40,183 voting centers in 299 constituencies across the country. The EC is taking votes using Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) at all polling booths in six constituencies for the first time. The constituencies are- Dhaka-6 and 13, Chattogram-9, Rangpur-3, Khulna-2, and Satkhira-2.

In compliance with new electoral rules, a total of 39 registered political parties are contesting the polls. About 6,08,000 members of law enforcement agencies have already been deployed to maintain law and order cross the country. A total of 4,0183 presiding officers, 20,7,312 assistant presiding officers and 4,14,624 polling officers have been appointed for conducting the election while about 1,328 executive magistrates and 640 judicial magistrates are working in 122 electoral inquiry committees during the polls.

Biography of AHM Bazlur Rahman-S21BR

AHM Bazlur Rahman-S21BR has spent 30+years of his career playing as a leading role as the social catalyst for promoting community media, communicating on the public sphere, communicating knowledge, civil rights in communication & cultural rights in communication, ICT for development, knowledge society, internet governance, amateur radio,  right to information and policy advocacy. media development, theological communication, knowledge management for development (KM4D) and business for development.

He has the unique quality of experience and contribution in an inclusive manner in multi-stakeholders of politics, development partners, the private sector, NGO & civil society, public sector, policy makers, academia and media. He is known as transformational expert, visionary, and change agent.

He founded Bangladesh NGOs Network for Radio and Communication (BNNRC) since 2000. BNNRC is in Special Consultative Status with the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) accredited with World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) of the United Nations and UN WSIS prize winner 2016 and Champion 2017.

BNNRC’s approach to media development is both knowledge-driven and context-sensitive, and it takes into account the challenges and opportunities created by the rapidly changing media environment in Bangladesh including community radio development giving voices for the voiceless.

 

He has been successfully developed BNNRC as well reputed media development organization acceptable to government level as well as to all stakeholders. He has played an instrumental role for changing policy and regulations which facilitate the media development and the Government from national to international level.

He was the strategic council member of United Nations Global Alliance for ICT and Development (UNGAID) from Asia and Pacific Region. Bangladesh Working Group on UN World Summit on the Information Society (UN WSIS), Member of the drafting committee of National Broadcasting act, Member of the drafting committee of Community Radio Installation, Broadcast and Operation Policy of Ministry of Information, Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh.

He has been working as a member of the Community Radio Monitoring Committee of the Ministry of Information, Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh, one of the founders’ of Bangladesh UN Internet Governance Forum, World Radio Day International Committee, member of the Multi-Stakeholder Steering Group (MSG) of UN Asia Pacific Regional Internet Governance Forum (APrIGF) and research fellow of Bangladesh Center for Fourth Industrial Revolution.

He has worked for Bangladesh Development Society (BDS), Action Aid – Bangladesh, The Coastal Association for Social Transformation (COAST) and Bhola District Correspondent of United News of Bangladesh (UNB) and The Daily Star.

He also contributed in many National and International conference as the Speaker, Moderator, Trainer and Panel Discussant. He has been contributing several articles on Community Radio and co-author of Handbook on Community Radio for Good Governance and Development, Handbook on Airwaves Advocacy in Bangladesh and Policy Advocacy Plan for Community Radio in Bangladesh.

He has contributed in achieving 6^th and 7^th five Years Plan, UN World Summit on the Information Society (UN WSIS) Action Plan and Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) through Right to Information for ensuring improved livelihood of the marginalized, ICT for Development for Bridging the Digital Divide in rural areas & Community Radio/Community Broadcasting for amplifying voices for the voiceless and Amateur Radio for Disaster Risk Reduction.

He has participated and contributed in UN World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) Forums, UN Commission for Science and Technology for Development (UN CSTD) of UNCTAD and Internet Governance Forums process and various meeting and workshop on national and international levels during 2000. His outreach extends to local, national and international forums for communicating Knowledge for Development (KM4D).

He has graduated from the University of Dhaka and Post graduated from Asian University in the field of Social Science in Government & Politics. He has also completed 3 months short course on Development Management from India. Apart from these he also completed several issues based development training and workshop program from home and abroad. He is the fellow of Legislative Development of the US State Department.

He has been actively engaged with the Global Forum for Media Development(GFMD), World Association of Christian Communication(WACC), The Alliance for Affordable Internet (A4A1), Asia-Pacific Institute of Broadcasting Development (AIBD), Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union (ABU), World Association for Community Radio Broadcasters (AMARC), Community Media Forum- Europe, Asia South Pacific Association for Basic and Adult Education, Freedom of Information Advocates Network, Communication Rights in the Information Society (CRIS), E-Commerce Association of  Bangladesh (e-CAB) and UN Global Compact as representative of BNNRC.

He traveled to different countries across Asia, Europe, North America & South America and Africa.

He has been engaged as a resource person in the National Institute of Mass Communication (NIMC) and Press Institute of Bangladesh under the Ministry of Information, Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh on UN Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs), Media Development, Delta Plan 2100 and Community Media.

He is the Life Member of The Asian Media Information and Communication Centre (AMIC) and Bangladesh Public Relations Association (BPRA). He is married and is blessed with one son and one daughter.

He can be reached at  bnnrcbd@gmail.com | www.bnnrc.net | +8801711881647

Community Media:Digital Peoples’ Colloquium - Shaping the Future of Media, Information & Entertainment in the Era of the Fourth Industrial Revolution

Bangladesh NGOs Network for Radio and Communication(BNNRC) is in Special Consultative Status with the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) accredited with World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) of the United Nations and UN WSIS prize winner 2016 and Champion 2017. BNNRC's outreach extends to local, national and international forums for communicating Knowledge for Media. 

BNNRC’s approach to media development is both knowledge-driven and context-sensitive, and it takes into account the challenges and opportunities created by the rapidly changing media environment in Bangladesh including community radio development giving voices for the voiceless. 

We are pleased to inform you that a Community Media:  Digital Peoples’ Colloquium - Shaping the Future of Media, Information & Entertainment in the Era of the Fourth Industrial Revolution(4th IR) to be organized by the Bangladesh NGOs Network for Radio and Communication (BNNRC) in Dhaka, Bangladesh. 

The program will be held on 12-13 December 2108 PM at the CIRDAP Auditorium, Topkhana Road, Dhaka 1000 with the support of Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom (FNF) Bangladesh and Free Press Unlimited. 

As you may know, we have already entered in a new generation of technologies – namely the Fourth Industrial Revolution 

(4th IR). This new generation of technological advancements is merging our physical, digital and biological worlds unlike any time before. This is a huge transformation for the world including Bangladesh and again a big challenge for us as well. 

This transformation is a pace where there are unbelievable uncertainty, transition, and controversy. This transformation will change the relationship between the individuals to individuals, governments to governments and institutions to institutions that will affect the global, national and local system of governance system and way of living. 

The shaping the future of the media, information and entertainment world will also be a new phenomenon in this era of the fourth industrial revolution. This new form can’t be untouched our community media. So question is - what will be the impact of the fourth industrial revolution in our community media and how we will survive? 

In this reality, we need to think about the way forward that will make the role of community media stronger and in an appropriate manner for the development of education, creativity, and re-skilling of rural people. Thus, we will be able to deal with the challenges of community media, information, and entertainment in the era of the fourth industrial revolution.

The purpose of this Colloquium is to upgrade the leadership and responsibility of the society as well as to realize the difficult nature of the fourth industrial revolution standing on the idea of a number of ideas. Besides to know and understand how to prepare for adaptation by identifying the changes in community media in this context of the fourth industrial revolution. 

The shaping the future of the community media, information and entertainment In the Era of the Fourth Industrial Revolution no longer can be regarded as unreal or, any science fiction. It is very important for us to identify the possible changes and challenges that will come to the life of rural communities and how community media will overcome those due to the fourth industrial revolution (4IR) as a leading organization of community media and take necessary steps regarding these. 

Considering the above circumstances, Bangladesh NGOs Network for Radio and Communication (BNNRC) is going to organize a two days community media digital people's Colloquium for engaging the rural communities in facing the 4IR challenges and making them into dependable, efficient individuals with keen observation.

For facing the Fourth Industrial Revolution challenges and for taking immediate right steps, everyone (Government, politics, business, media, industry and academic research) should embrace the logical idea of possible changes. Side by side, it’s also necessary to be prepared for the changes in the production, management and ruling sectors and welcome 4IR. 

The overall theme for the Digital Peoples’ Colloquium - Shaping the Future of Media, Information & Entertainment in the Era of the Fourth Industrial Revolution(4th IR) to build Information and Knowledge Societies for Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

---------------

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 | 

http://www.bnnrc.net

Including Community Media Agenda into Election Manifesto on the eve of 11th Bangladesh National Parliamentary Election 2019 Bangladesh

The Role of Community Radio in Youth and Youth Women Participation and their empowerment in line with Unleashing the Power of Human Capital

Bangladesh NGOs Network for Radio and Communication (BNNRC) is in Special Consultative Status with the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) accredited with World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) of the United Nations and UN WSIS prize winner 2016 and Champion 2017.

BNNRC's outreach extends to local, national and international forums for communicating Knowledge for Media.

BNNRC’s approach to media development is both knowledge-driven and context-sensitive, and it takes into account the challenges and opportunities created by the rapidly changing media environment in Bangladesh including community radio development giving voices for the voiceless.

BNNRC now strives for the following core interventions to contribute in achieving 7th five Years Plan of Government of Bangladesh, UN World Summit on the Information Society (UN WSIS) Action Plan, and UN Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs) through: Community Media Development (Community Radio & Community TV Community Film) for amplifying voices for the voiceless, Right to Information (RTI) for ensuring improved livelihood of the marginalized, ICT for Development for Bridging the Digital Divide in rural areas, Amateur Radio or HAM Radio for Disaster Risk Reduction, Community Film for Social Transformation.

BNNRC is actively working to improve recognition of the community electronic media sector (Community Radio, Community TV, Community Film) & its work in and involvement with the communities.BNNRC represent the community electronic media sector to Government, Industry, Regulatory Bodies, Media, Academia and Development Partners from 2000. BNNRC is supported by contributions from different development organizations worldwide who share a commitment in building a free, independent and pluralistic community media of voices for the voiceless.Bangladesh NGOs Network for Radio Communication (BNNRC) has been in dialogue with the government since 2000 pursuing to launch community radio (CR) across the country in a bid to establish right to information, good governance and to ensure human rights.

After more than ten years of such persuasion with the policy makers the concept of Community Radio came into limelight.Impact of the Community Radios in Bangladesh

·        As a result of the CR the very poor and the marginalized people now have a platform to directly express their concerns in public. The platform has created opportunities for the voiceless to make their voices heard.
·        This new media has given rural population information on issues related to social, cultural, political, economic and environmental issues. It has also facilitated the community to pursue their rights to through professional communication.
·        In regard to creating enabling environment for good governance, CRs have facilitated dialogues between public and local public representatives and government and NGO officials.
·        The CRs have created opportunities for direct communication with the local community with regard to sustainable development, special development initiatives of the Prime Minister and the 7th five-year plan of the government.
·        The CRs in the coastal regions during the recent cyclone seasons have played a crucial role in advance warnings during cyclones - Mohsena and Rowanu. Their roles in keeping the vulnerable population well informed on safety precautions during cyclones without power supply were greatly appreciated.

Community radios by now have earned its great reputation and has a separate identity among all other media in Bangladesh. Currently there are 32 registered community radio, 17 of them are on air. Over 1000 youth are working in these CRs. Among the youth, 54 % are male and the rest are female. On average the CRs altogether broadcast 144 hours of various programmes everyday. The CRs are playing important roles in sensitizing local community on issues like reducing poverty, conservation of the environment, gender disparity, upholding human rights, and rights of the societies having dalit, neglected and marginalized population, physically and addressing problems of mentally challenged people and confronting natural disasters.

Remarkable empowerment of youth and their participation in the community radio

Community Radio is popularly known as the mouthpiece of the youth. A recent radio audience survey done at the initiative of Bangladesh NGOs Network for Radio and Communication (BNNRC) shows that among the broadcasters and volunteers working in the community radios are local college students and youth from marginalized societies. The broadcasters and volunteers themselves collect information for news and programmes, edit them in panels and finally present them for broadcasting. It is also learnt that among the community radio audience 52 percent are in the age group of 18-30. The survey also shows that majorities of the listeners are students (43%).

Space for social Inclusive
As a result of their direct participation in the community radio programmes the following have been ensured;

The mainstream media rarely focuses on dalit community and the neglected group of the people in the society. Their social, cultural or even economic problems are rarely reflected in the mainstream media. In such a situation community radios are playing a positive role in highlighting the problems of such neglected people of the society, especially transgender and physically and mentally challenged people. Since majority of the community radio broadcasters and volunteers represent such groups of people, so they understand and hence produce news or programmes based on the interest of such segment of the population. They are able to use the talents and the experiences of the society and highlight the cultural and social problems, aspirations and other issues. The youth broadcasters are facilitating dialogues in addressing such problems.
Speed up the momentum of youth empowerment process of the neglected societies;

The dalit youth, apart from working as broadcasters in the community radios, are increasingly earning social recognition in their respective communities. Through their working experiences in the community radio many of the youth have been able to find professional work with the mainstream media. Many of them are now working in TV channels, newspapers and radio stations in the capital Dhaka. Currently a total of 34 such community radio broadcasters and volunteers are working with various media organisations in Dhaka. Some of them have been rewarded by the state and even international organisations for their contributions in highlighting problems shared in local dialect. All these respected awardees one day started their career in one of the 17 community radios.
Influence local level empowerment and ensuring right to social security programme.

The CR broadcasters produce programmes on the information of available public services and opportunities offered by the government and the non-government organization. The programme are targeted mainly for the development of livelihood of the people like transgender, disabled, dalit and poor women and children. They also broadcast information on various allowances allocated from the government for the elderly, widow, separated women, disabled, transgender, fishermen, nomad and other neglected group of people. Besides, the CRs also disseminate information on available services of the state like, vulnerable group feeding card and vulnerable group development card, maternity leave allowance and many more. Not only disseminate information but the broadcasters also ensure linking the beneficiaries of the public services to the relevant government and non-government offices so that they can demand their rights to the services.
Below are two such cases in which beneficiaries successfully for the services;
Rucharita Rani Robidas, a broadcaster of Radio Sarabela said she arranged elderly allowances and stipend for students in Palashbari upazila in Gaibandha district. A total of 26 families from nine unions and 09 students got the allowances after Rani established a formal link with the local government officials like the UNO or upazila nirbahi officer.

“I visited every house in the upazila where I identified the families and the students who I thought were eligible for the allowances and stipend. I filled up applications, paid the application fees from my own pocket and submitted them in the appropriate places,” said Rani. In the next ten years the elderly people who have registered for the elderly allowance, would receive Tk 15.60 lakh at the rate of Tk 5ooo each every month.
In a similar manner Subrato Halder of Radio Borendro of Naogaon district said he had successfully drawn attention of an assistant director of the local social welfare department about a disable person. He said that a feature was broadcast in Radio Borendro which drew the officer’s attention.  The officer had later called Subrato to know more in details about the deprived disable person. After that the person concerned was given his allowance of Tk 500 per month. “I am so proud today that I was able to pursue this for a person who would otherwise remain neglected if we did not broadcast his story,” said a smiling Subrato.
Through their continuous efforts, Subrato and Rani who also represent marginalized society, are ensuring social security services for the marginalized groups of people.

Ensuring gender equality
The rural youth women working in the community radios are making good progress. Such youth women are working as staff members or even volunteers. They are working side by side with their counterparts building their career. There are many instances of youth women holding key positions where they are taking vital decisions in the affairs of programme/news broadcasting. Currently six CR stations are headed by female station managers. The same youth women are now managing such sophisticated radio transmission technology who once had phobia. They are now operating mixture machines, computers, operating console panels, taking photos on digital cameras etc. such practice is in fact, reducing dependency on men and hence also helping in gender balance.

Youth benefits from information technology
Community Radio is highly dependent on information technology where transmitters, antenna, microphone, voice recorders, digital mixing machine, computers and other studio-based equipment are regularly used. Not only technology but the respective broadcasters are also getting hands-on training on the use of the sophisticated equipment. In such way the community radios are actually becoming places where experienced youth broadcasters are gaining skills on modern technologies.

Youths showing increasing trends in learning English language
In last one-decade use of internet, mobile phones and computers has considerably grown. At the same time the trends for travel abroad in particular for higher education, working overseas, business and other similar reasons have also increased to a great extent. As a result of such foreign interactions the trends of learning English has also grown. However due to weak facilities the rural population are deprived from the conveniences of learning communicative English. In the face of such problem the CRs have introduced broadcasting specially designed English learning programmes for the rural population. To facilitate off line learning, every radio station has allocated specific area in their station compound where all interested people can sit together to listen to the programmes already broadcast and practice English conversation. Currently, 17 radio station have about 13 lakh registered English learners. A survey by BNNRC among the radio listeners showed that 54 percent have gained knowledge on English language.

Challenges and recommendations
Reaching multi generation audience through various programmes is still a major challenge as the community radios do not yet have wider use of more popular social media like facebook, twiter, youtube or have the multiplatform presence. Besides, broadcasting latest information on the social SafetyNet programmes of the government is also a problem as radio stations lack capacity.
About 50/60 more such community radios, once on air, may fulfil the gaps of the community radios in addressing the remaining population of the country. Such initiative would allow giving space for the voice of the voiceless. Everyone in the rural community would have platforms to raise their voices. The policy makers would be able to hear the voices of the voiceless. The local administration would know the demands of the rural population.

17 Community Radio Programs Got the Nomination for UNICEF 14th Meena Media Award-2018, Bangladesh

A total of 17 radio programs from 6 Community Radio Stations have been nominated for 14th UNICEF Meena Media Award 2018 under radio category for their contribution in innovation in media and protection of child rights in the year 2018.

The nominated Community Radio Stations are Community Radio Nalta 99.2FM, Community Radio Chilmari 99.2 FM, Community Radio Jhenuk 99.2 FM, Community Radio Bikrampur 99.2 FM, Pollikontha 99.2 FM, and Community Radio Borendro 99.2FM. As in every year, UNICEF Bangladesh has organized this competition. Eight Community Radio Stations of the country participated in this competition under two categories –below and above 18 years of age.

The radio stations have submitted altogether 71 radio programs in the competition. These programs reflected important issues like- Children’s for children’s, Sound pollution through a high range of miking, Social media affected children and etc. Out of these 71 programs submitted by eight community radio stations, 17 programs from 6 CR Stations have got primary selection for the final stage of the selection process by the esteemed panel of judges for the Meena Media Award-2018,

The award will be distributed among the winners on 20 November 2018. It can be mentioned that Bangladesh NGOs Network for Radio and Communication (BNNRC) has been encouraging the stations and facilitating them for submission of their programs in the Meena Media Award.

The Meena Media Award was introduced by UNICEF in 2005 to celebrate excellence in both print media and electronic media and to promote child rights and greater coverage of children’s issues in the media. The award is named after Meena, a popular animation character held dear by children and adults alike in Bangladesh. Meena is a change agent in her community and her stories champion the rights of children across South Asia.

Bangladesh NGOs Network for Radio and Communication (BNNRC) actively works to improve recognition of the community electronic media sector [Community Radio | Community TV | Community Film] & its work in and involvement with the communities it seeks to serve from 2000.

Now 17 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 144 hours program per day on information, education, local entertainment, and development motivation activities.

Around 1000 Youth Women & Youth are now working with those stations throughout the country as rural broadcasters within 6.6 million rural people in 119 upazillas under 16 districts in Bangladesh.

Speech of AHM Bazur Rahman-S21BR, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Bangladesh NGOs Network for Radio and Communication(BNNRC)  on  25^th October 2018 at Bangladesh International Tutorial, Dhaka, Bangladesh as the special guest
on the eve of third edition of India's International Movement to Unite Nations Bangladesh Conference, 2018.

Respected Chairperson of the third edition of India's International Movement to Unite Nations Bangladesh Conference, 2018

Respected Guests, Teachers, and dear Students,

It is an honor to be invited to address this very important event on the third edition of India's International Movement to Unite Nations Bangladesh Conference, 2018 at the Bangladesh International Tutorial, Dhaka, Bangladesh.

I so grateful to all the organizers for kindly inviting me to this important event, Especially Mr. Akhilesh Jayakrishnan, Secretariat Member- International Division, India's International Movement to Unite Nations.

I have been invited here in my capacity as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Bangladesh NGOs Network for Radio and Communication (BNNRC)!

Bangladesh NGOs Network for Radio and Communication (BNNRC) is in Special Consultative Status with the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) accredited with World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) of the United Nations and UN WSIS prize winner 2016 and Champion 2017.

BNNRC's outreach extends to local, national and international forums for communicating Knowledge for Media. BNNRC’s approach to media development is both knowledge-driven and context-sensitive, and it takes into account the challenges and opportunities created by the rapidly changing media environment in Bangladesh including community radio development giving voices to the voiceless people.

  

I will speak more about community radio and Media literacy, but first, let me make some remarks on the information and knowledge society for the students and on the pursuit of international development goals like SDGs!

All of you know we are living in so-called Information and Knowledge societies: As a very ordinary person (VOP) I would like to raise some questions;

My questions are:

• Who generates and owns information and knowledge in our society? Is it utilized for the private benefit of a few or the public benefit of many?

• How are knowledge and information disseminated and distributed? Who are the gatekeepers?

• What constraints and facilitates the use of knowledge by general people or student’s community to achieve their goals in line with daily life.

• Who is positioned best, and who worst- Who’s loss and who’s gain to take advantage of this knowledge and Information?

Current knowledge and information trend are:

The Information and Knowledge Society, we are told, is upon us.

The promise is for a knowledge-based society, yielding untold dividends for education, health, development, democracy, human rights, communication rights and much more.

Seamless networking and knowledge flow from major capital cities/ urban to village/rural hut- bazzer and back again.

The reality, if current trends continue, might be very different; the dream might become a nightmare

The fruits of human creativity – from academia to media, from indigenous medicines to music – are being privatized, ownership concentrated into the hands of a few, and access restricted to those who can pay only.

The airwaves, for radio, television, and telecommunications, are being sliced up and sold to the highest bidder.

The Internet, once a promising new public sphere, is increasingly commercialized and controlled;

f.The media, sell consumerism to people, and people to advertisers. And all most media radio TV and print hijacked by economic power/ highly corrupted corporate sector.

Broadcasters to Individual Casters – Everyone has Youtube, FB, and Tweeter

Based on this horrible situation: Media could contribute:

Strengthening the public domain, ensuring that information and knowledge are readily available for human development, and not locked up in private hands only;

Ensuring affordable access to, and effective use of, electronic networks in a development context, for instance by innovative and robust regulation and public investment;

Securing and extending the global commons, for both broadcast and telecommunication, to ensure this public resource is not sold for private ends;

Balancing information surveillance and censorship, Government or commercial;

Supporting student-centered media, traditional and new. Say like Student Radio, Student TV

Mr. Chairperson:

Let me now turn to community broadcasting in rural Bangladesh for Giving Voice to Local Communities in line with Youth and Youth Women.

Now I would like to share you Potentials of Community Media in Bangladesh

Community Radio has created scope for the poor and marginalized community to raise their own voice; it becomes the voice for the voiceless. This new-media outlets opened scope to establish their rights of Information and communication in the social, political, cultural and environmental arena.

Scope widened for poverty reduction and sustainable development because of the rights to raise the voice of the community and accessibility to knowledge and information.

Scope opened for the exchange of dialogue between local elected representatives, govt. and NGO professionals for the sake of establishing good governance. 

Direct linkage established between the community and the main sectors reflected in SDGs and 7th 5-year plan.

Scope created for Social debate, inclusion, and preservation of cultural diversity by ensuring the inclusion of the marginalized community.

Community Radio is now able to play a more active role in Disaster

Risk Reduction (DRR) due to the establishment of an effective

linkage between the govt. departments and local/rural community.

Let me now turn to Media and Information Literacy for the Students and Teachers:

Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights states that ‘Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers.

Media and information literacy (MIL) equips students and teacher with competencies needed to seek and enjoy the full benefits of this fundamental human right

Media and Information Literacy (MIL) in Bangladesh is a challenging field of media development today. Student’s community cannot easily access relevant information and voice their concerns.

Media literacy also helps students to manage content and communications, and protect themselves and their families from the potential risks associated with using these services.

1.  Accessing media and information: technical skills for accessing suitable media and information sources

2.  Using media and information: content decoding skills and responsible strategies for applying content to one’s daily life

3.  Evaluating media and information: the ability to judge the credibility, accuracy, and objectivity of sources

4.  Creating media and information: critical attitude and skills in how to construct media and information

5.  Participating in media: critical attitudes and knowledge of where and how to interact with journalists and editors of media, as well as with other citizens via old and new media

6.  Knowing how media work: knowledge about media and information systems, organizations, routines and effects

7.  Demanding media quality and rights: critical demand for and defense of good media and information sources

I am very much looking forward to developing conversations about all of these issues with you throughout the coming months, and to listen to what you have to say about how best to support from our side for starting media literacy process at your educational campus in line with Student Radio and Student TV in Bangladesh. 

Thank you for listening.