AHM Bazlur Rahman-S21BR, Chief Executive Officer of Bangladesh NGOs Network for Radio and Communication (BNNRC) has been selected as a fellow at the IGF Academy

AHM Bazlur Rahman-S21BR, Chief Executive Officer of Bangladesh NGOs Network for Radio and Communication (BNNRC) has been selected as a fellow at the IGF Academy.

BNNRC Leads Supports and Advocates for the Initiators to actively provide independent community media development (Community Radio, TV & Film) in Bangladesh since 2000 with support from Free Press Unlimited.

IGF Academy was initiated by iRights in March 2016. It aims to foster freedom of expression on the Internet and inclusive and transparent national Internet governance and policy processes. Fellows from four African and four Asian countries will be supported in the creation and/or consolidation of multi-stakeholder, national Internet governance structures.

The UN Internet Governance Forum (UN IGF) serves to bring people together from various stakeholder groups as equals, in discussions on public policy issues relating to the Internet. While there is no negotiated outcome, the IGF informs and inspires those with policy-making power in both the public and private sectors. At their annual meeting delegates discuss, exchange information and share good practices with each other. The IGF facilitates a common understanding of how to maximize Internet opportunities and address risks and challenges that arise.

The UN IGF is also a space that gives developing countries the same opportunity as wealthier nations to engage in the debate on Internet governance and to facilitate their participation in existing institutions and arrangements. Ultimately, the involvement of all stakeholders, from developed as well as developing countries, is necessary for the future development of the Internet.

The academy offers its fellows mentoring from internationally renowned experts in the Internet governance process and a platform for peer-learning and networking among experts locally, regionally and at a global level. Fellows will also take part in regional workshops with peers from other countries, as well as in the global Internet Governance Forum (IGF). The IGF Academy thus contributes to a (cross) regional and UN global dialogue on freedom of expression and information preparing for the UN Internet Governance Forum (IGF).

The IGF Academy is run by iRights in cooperation with Association of Progressive Communication (APC) and LIRNEasia and funded by the German Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development.

The fellowship will provide experienced individuals with the opportunity to receive mentoring from internationally renowned Internet governance practitioners, deepen their understanding of Internet governance issues and processes, expand their networks nationally, regionally and globally, develop a strategic roadmap to strengthen existing or initiate inclusive national Internet Governance processes in their countries, peer learning with experts from their country, their region and cross-regionally, participate in a regional training event, participate in a training event at the global IGF, participate in the global UN IGF 2016 in Guadalajara, be part of a (cross)regional and UN global dialogue on freedom of expression and information preparing for the UN Internet Governance Forum (IGF)

Presently AHM Bazlur is one of the founder member of Bangladesh Working Group on UN World Summit on the Information Society (UN WSIS), Community Radio Monitoring Committee, and National Broadcasting Act Drafting Committee 2016 of Ministry of Information, People’s Republic of Bangladesh, founder member of Bangladesh UN Internet Governance Forum (UN IGF), and Multi-stakeholder Steering Group Members of Asia Pacific Regional Internet Governance Forum. More information about IGF Academy:   http://igf.academy/#about-igf-academy

"We appreciate and welcome BNNRC for bringing WSIS prize 2016 to Bangladesh," Information Secretary Mortuza Ahmad

DHAKA, May 15, 2016 (BSS)- Bangladesh NGOs Network for Radio and Communications (BNNRC) has won a category prize from the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) this year.

The NGO received the prize in the 'mass media category', one of the 18 categories for WSIS Prize, and it was handed over to BNNRC's chief executive officer AHM Bazlur Rahman in Geneva on May 3, Information Ministry sources said here today.

"We appreciate and welcome BNNRC for bringing this prize to Bangladesh," Information Secretary Mortuza Ahmad told AHM Bazlur Rahman when he called on him at his information ministry office here.
He said the credit for the award should go to 60 women journalists who have been working for the 16 community radios across the country.

The Information Secretary said this was a great recognition to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina who has pioneered community radio in Bangladesh. He said the award came for a successful project carried out by BNNRC in rural areas between 2013 and 2015.

The project identified talented rural women and trained them for print and broadcast journalism to get employed in local press and community radio programmes.

The rural journalists produced 500 feature stories and 800 radio programmes on health, child marriage, violence against women and social injustices during the period.

Community Radio Stations in Coastal Bangladesh in addressing Cyclone ROANU in Disaster Risk Reduction

As part of addressing the risk of Cyclone ROANU, eight community radio (CR) stations in the coastal region of Bangladesh broadcast 348 hours program hours for 3 days continuously from May 19 to May 21, 2016

The Community Radio stations broadcast and served on 24-hours basis to keep alert the community during and after the cyclone Rohnau hit in the coastal belt of the country. There are eight community radio stations situated in the coastal region that played a big role in saving people’s lives and assets.

Following the cyclone warning signals the stations started broadcasting from 19 May afternoon and continued non-stop till midnight of 21^st May. During the time they have broadcasted 348 hours, of those 187 hours are fully around the message and information on cyclone-Roanu, the disaster, it’s after-effects and what should be done for the community.

The CR stations continuously broadcast the updates by increasing their previous air-time in line with the "Standing Orders on Disaster (SOD) of Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh".

The stations collected updated information from Meteorological Department, the disaster cells and local control room set up by the District and Upazila administrative authority. As there was no electricity in the area during the time, they were to depend fully on the generator and keep the broadcasting service un-interrupted.

 The community radio stations maintained full-time liaison with the disaster monitoring cells at district and Upazila administration. They also kept contact and collected updated information from the Red Cresent volunteers and the scouts who were working hard with the disaster-prone community.Along with broadcasting message and PSAs received from the local government authority, they also broadcasted their own programs which they have learned and produced through training and their experiences from previous disasters.

With broadcasting of weather news bulletin after every 10-15 minutes, they also broadcasted magazine program, drama, feature, interview and talk show of the responsible persons involved in disaster management in the area. As an offline support group, the members of the radio listeners clubs also took part in the process of fulfilling the objective of the station. They visited the house-to-house of the listeners and disseminated information on the latest situation of the cyclone, their contact points during an emergency, what types of services available for them during rescue or rehabilitation community. At the same time, they also supplied information to the radio stations and kept them updated about the community situation.  

Eight radio stations are Community Radio Nalta 99.2 ( Kaligonj, Satkhira), Community Radio Sundarban 98.8 ((Koyra, Khulna), Community Lokobetar 99.2  (Barguna Sadar), Community Rural Radio Krishi Radio 98.8 (Amtoli, Barguna), Community Radio Naf 99.2 (Teknaf, Cox's Bazar), Community Radio Sagargiri 99.2 (Sitakunda, Chittagong), Community Radio Meghna 99.00  (Charfasion, Bhola) and Community  Radio Sagardwip 99.2 (Hatiya, Noakhali).

Broadcasting continued even at power failure/load shedding, by using alternative power supplies through generators. Since the stormy weather caused power disruption all over, Community Radio stations became the only source of information to the local people so that they could know all the details related to the cyclone and how to take precautionary measures to address their safety. This saved many lives and assets, and thus proved the essential role of Community Radio stations at a grassroots level in our coastal region.

A total of 116 Community broadcasters (Female 37, Male 79) and volunteers and members from 175 listeners clubs worked throughout the whole service. The broadcasters continued broadcasting service on shifting basis.

It can be mentioned that Bangladesh NGOs Network for Radio and Communication (BNNRC) has supported the radio stations during the times of cyclone Mahasen and Komen and thus helped to save the lives and assets of millions of the coastal region. BNNRC kept constant coordination   with those stations and provided information and guidance in the whole process.

AHM Bazlur Rahman made Jury Member of Newcomer of the Year in Journalism - Hans Verploeg Awards 2016

AHM Bazlur Rahman-S21BR, a celebrated community media policy advocate, and journalist has been selected as one of the member in the jury panel for the second time that will pick the winner of the Free Press Unlimited Newcomer of the Year in Journalism - Hans Verploeg Awards 2016, the Netherlands.

Free Press Unlimited Newcomer of the Year in Journalism - Hans Verploeg Awards 2016, the Netherlands recognizes talented new journalists who have put in a strong performance when it comes to reporting the news.  Nominee demonstrates exceptional commitment to press freedom and independent coverage and use innovative methods to disseminate the information. They show extraordinary dedication to journalism as a means to hold those in power accountable and to serve as a watchdog in the public interest. They manage to share stories that would otherwise be left untold. For more information: https://www.freepressunlimited.org/en/free-press-awards-2016

Hans Verploeg died May 25, 2010. He devoted his working life to spreading and protecting free speech, nationally and internationally. He was 25 years tireless Secretary General of the Dutch Association of Journalists and was co-founder of the Foundation for Development Communication, which later went into Free Voice, which he was president until his death in 2010. As a member of the International Federation of Journalists, IFJ, Verploeg was very much concerned with the safety of journalists in threatened areas, and he did not hesitate to speak to governments when journalists work impossible and gave no space to free speech. For his work, Hans Verploeg received on 6 March 2012 posthumously awarded the Prize of the Free Word awarded by the International Press Centre Nieuwspoort. Hans Verploeg was to protect freedom of the press more than work, it was his way of life in line with Fighting injustice, convincing authorities, human honor.

Hans Verploeg Awards is widely recognized as the most prestigious award for journalists. The winner of the Free Press Unlimited Newcomer of the Year in Journalism - Hans Verploeg Awards 2016 will receive a media scholarship as well as an expenses –paid visit to Netherlands where the award will be conferred in person at the   Free Press Award ceremony on the 2 November 2016. During the yearly ceremony on the International Day to End Impunity, Free Press Unlimited will also recognize exceptional work in the category Most Resilient Journalist.

The jury panel member AHM Bazlur has more than 20 years’ experience in leveraging community media/media and the right to communication to create successful policy advocacy in Bangladesh in line with community media development. He is one of the founder of Bangladesh NGOs Network for Radio and Communication (BNNRC). BNNRC devoted entirely to Promote Community Media for Development (CM4D) and leads supports and advocates for the initiators to actively provide independent community broadcasting in Bangladesh.

AHM Bazlur is the first Bangladeshi community media journalist and Media Policy Advocate to sit on the jury panel for the Newcomer of the Year in Journalism - Hans Verploeg Awards 2016, the Netherlands.

Presently he is one of the founder member of Bangladesh Working Group on UN World Summit on the Information Society (UN WSIS), Community Radio Monitoring Committee, and National Broadcasting Act Drafting Committee 2016 of Ministry of Information, People’s Republic of Bangladesh, founder member of Bangladesh UN Internet Governance Forum (UN IGF), and Multi-stakeholder Steering Group Members of Asia Pacific Regional Internet Governance Forum

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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

WSIS Award

WSIS

Bangladesh NGOs Network for Radio and Communication’s (BNNRC) wins UN World Summit on Information Society (WSIS) Prize 2016

Bangladesh NGOs Network for Radio and Communication’s (BNNRC) received the UN World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) prize 2016. The World Summit on the Information Society Forum presented the award on May 3 as part of the WSIS Forum in Geneva, Switzerland. The WSIS forum is co-organized by ITU, UNESCO, UNCTAD, and the UNDP with the engagement of other United Nations Agencies , including WIPO, UNDESA, FAO, ILO, ITC, UNODC, UNEP,UPU, WMO, WHO, WFP, UN Women and the UN Regional Commission.

The prestigious prize was awarded in recognition to BNNRC’s successful implementation of the project on Youth Women in Community Media and Journalism - the beginning of a new era in rural broadcasting journalism of Bangladesh supported by the Free Press Unlimited. 

After an intensive Online Voting phase, which ended on March 10th 2016, BNNRC’s project was among the most voted. Upon the Expert Group’s review of the 5 top voted projects, BNNRC has been selected as the winning one. The WSIS competition was among the 311 projects submitted for the online voting. The best prizes were announced following 245,000 online voting by the WSIS members. In addition to a total of 18 WSIS prize winners, 70 runners-up projects were also recognized as WSIS Prize 2016 Champions.

AHM Bazlur Rahman, Chief Executive Officer of BNNRC in his message said, we are indeed honored to have received this award. All of us at BNNRC are extremely proud that our work has been given this appreciation and recognition by the international community. BNNRC is grateful for this recognition. But BNNRC is not a winner. The real winners are 60 youth women community radio journalists those are working with 16 community radio stations in Bangladesh for ensuring voices of the voice-less in line with the poverty of voice.

BNNRC’s project, which was recognized for excellence in the implementation of the project, highlights the ‘voices of the rural people’ which essentially is the core of the rural broadcasting journalism programme, especially for the female journalists.

The youth women journalists, aged between 18 and 30, prior to joining their responsibilities in community radio broadcasting programmes and feature writing in local newspapers, were exposed to customised media training to strengthen understanding of reporting, news and script writing and editing during their fellowship programme held in three separate batches ranging from 3-6 months during 2013 and 2015. During the short-lived fellowship, the school and college graduate fellows joined as producers, anchors and reporters in 16 regional community radio stations some of which are located in remote coastal islands and in river banks. In pursuit of their fellowship programmes the youth women produced over 800 radio programmes and about 500 newspaper reports which largely focused on messages to free the society from the traditional caste system, good practices in health for women and children, end early marriages , social discrimination, violence against women, promote education, establish human rights and give more voices to the marginalized people.Using the information technology in broadcasting the empowered youth women journalists, the majority (40) of who come from Dalit families or the lowest caste in the society, demonstrated how the chemistry of creating opportunities and utilizing information technology can change the society – one of the most important criteria for nomination for the WSIS award.

The goal of WSIS is to achieve a common vision, desire, and commitment to building a people-centric, inclusive and development-oriented Information Society where everyone can create, access, utilize and share information. The WSIS Forum 2016 represents the world's largest annual gathering of the ‘ICT for development’ community.

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