The Government of Bangladesh has developed Community Radio Installation, Broadcast and Operation Policy 2008. Based on the policy, now the Ministry of Information is working to develop a National Strategy Paper with the support of UNICEF.

As part of the Strategy development process for Community Radio, a consultation meeting has been organized with the members of the civil society on 14 July at Press Institute of Bangladesh (PIB) 3 Circuit House Road, Dhaka 1000 from 10 AM to 1 PM.

The purpose of the meeting is to get inputs form the civil society to develop a national strategy on community radio for the Ministry of Information.

Mr. Abu Bakar Siddque, Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Information will present as a chief guest.

The AMARC 10 Global Conference will be held in La Plata, Argentina 2010 The International Board of Directors of AMARC is pleased to announce that the tenth World Assembly of Community Radio Broadcasters will be held from 8 to 13 November 2010 in Ciudad de la Plata, province of Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Community Radios have come together in AMARC Argentina to host the first Global conference of community broadcasters to be held in South America, where community radios were born 60 years ago. Furthermore, Argentina and the Latin America & Caribbean region is going through dynamic social changes and has a rich in experiences to share with the world movement of community radios.

More than 400 community broadcasters and stakeholders from over 110 countries and all regions of the global community radio movement will gather at the AMARC 10 Global Conference from 8-13 November to, among other issues, improve good practice in community media; explore strategies to facilitate the establishment of enabling legal environments for community media development, to define knowledge sharing and capacity building models for action-research and mentoring; to reinforce content development leading to social change; to facilitate the inclusion of women and; to encourage the empowerment of communities through appropriation of community radio for social justice and sustainable, democratic and participatory human development. More info: http://amarc10.amarc.org/index.php?p=home&l=EN

AHM Bazlur Rahman-S21BR, Chief Executive Officer of Bangladesh NGOs Network for Radio and Communication will join the Asia Pacific Regional Internet Governance Forum - IGF (APrIGF) in Hong Kong on June 14-16 2010, which is being graciously, hosted by the Hong Kong.

Head of the Bangladesh Delegation is H.E. Mr. Hasanul haq Inu, MP and Chairman Parliamentary Standing Committee for Ministry of Post and Telecommunication and

Deputy Head of the delegation H.E. Dr. Akram H. Chowdhury, MP Chairperson, Centre for e-parliament Research and Member, Parliamentary Standing Committee for Ministry Food and Disaster

Other delegation members are Mr. Main Uddin Mahmood, Member - Bangladesh Internet Governance Forum and Mr. Mizanur Rahman, Private Secretary to Chairman Parliamentary Standing Committee for Ministry of Post and Telecommunication.

The Hong Kong IGF Conference aims to introduce to the various stakeholders in Hong Kong, in particular NGOs and youth, the status of internet governance and the global IGF. The APrIGF Roundtable will bring together experts in the region and around the world from the civil society, private sector and public sector for an intensive discussion that should help shape the future of the IGF. The Youth IGF Camp is organized and led by young leaders.

During the 3-day (2 nights) forum, participants will role-play to represent different stakeholders in the society and interact with international experts in the field to discuss different social topics concerning the Internet.

All 3 component events combine to become a platform for regional collaboration and, albeit organised independently of the global IGF, intends to report its discussion to the global IGF to be held in September 14-17 in Vilnius, Lithuania. This adds to the significance of the APrIGF in that the ideas, recommendations and other outputs from the event will be used as inputs for the coming global IGF meeting in September.

Bangladesh NGOs Network for Radio and Communication (BNNRC), since its inception, has been advocating with the government and with other organizations for the promotion of Community Radio to address critical social issues at community level, such as poverty and social exclusion, empowerment of marginalized rural groups and catalyze democratic process in decision making and ongoing development efforts.

Ministry of Information, Government of People’s Republic of Bangladesh has approved 2 more Community Radio Initiators for installation and operation of community radio in Bangladesh on 20 May, 2010. Now total 14 Community Radio Stations are going to On Air first time in Bangladesh.

Initially government approved 14 Initiators like Young Power in Action(YPSA) for Sitakunda, Chittagong, Nalta Community Hospital for Satkhira, LDRO for Bogra, BRAC for- Moulivi Bazer, Barandro Community Radio for -Naogaon, Proyas for -Chapai Nababgonj, CCD for - Rajshahi, Srizoni for - Jhinaidhah, EC Bangladesh for - Munsihigonj, MMC for - Barguna and RDRS for- Kurigram, Sundarban Community Radio for Koyra(Khulna), ACLAB for - Telnaf (Cox's Bazer) and Agriculture Information Servics(AIS) for - Community Rural Radio for Amtoli (Barguna)

The main objective of community radio is to provide livelihood related information to the rural communities in an understandable way. Agriculture, education, health, disaster, women and child issues, market price, services, etc. will be cover in the community radio for the community people.

Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) is going to celebrate World Telecommunication and Information Society Day 2010. The A three days national program will be inaugurated on this grand occasion in Dhaka, Bangladesh on 17th May, Monday 2010.

World Telecommunication and Information Society Day (WTISD) is celebrated annually on 17 May since 1969 to raise the awareness of the people regarding various aspect of ICT. The event will be celebrated in Dhaka this year. The theme of this year is Theme 2010: Better city, better life with ICTs. To popularize the concept, building the awareness and to ensure people’s participation, Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) has chalked out an elaborate program for three days (17-19 May 2010) to observe this event.

Keeping “Digital Bangladesh” and “Vision 2021″ in view, the observance of WTISD 2010 shall comprise of an ICT based exhibition, Seminar, ICT classes and various online/offline competition at Bangabandhu International Conference Centre. The purpose of this event is to encourage the citizen of Bangladesh to contribute in building ICT based nation. The idea is to connect the unconnected and bridge the gap between lighted and unlighted in the field of ICT knowledge.

Demonstration a full-functional Community Radio Station will take place at the program venue Bangabandhu International Conference Centre on the eve of World Telecommunication and Information Society Day 2010 during the Three days program.

The regulatory body for telecom affairs in the country Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) has been entrusted Bangladesh NGOs Network for Radio and Communication (BNNRC) and Community Radio Academy to demonstrate a Community Radio station during the program.

We hope that participants of all walk of the society, particularly honorable ministers, members of the parliament, elected representatives of various tier of local government system, academia and students, civil societies, print and electronic media, corporate sector representatives as well as common people will come across the basic features of Community Radioing through this program.

It is also important to point out here that the Ministry of Information of Government of Bangladesh has allowed 12 Community Radio Stations in Bangladesh very recently.

Bangladesh NGOs Network for Radio and Communication (BNNRC) acknowledges the generous support from Community Radio Initiators regarding successful implementation of this event.

To
Mr. Abul Kalam Azad
Hon’ble Minister
Ministry of Information
People’s Republic of Bangladesh

Attention
Dr. Kamal Abdul Naser Chowdhury
Secretary
Ministry of Information
People’s Republic of Bangladesh

Subject: Very Heartiest Congratulations for Approving Community Radio first time in Bangladesh

Dear Sir,
Greetings from Bangladesh NGOs Network for Radio and Communication (BNNRC) and Community Radio Academy www.bnnrc.net

Very heartiest Congratulations, for having a new media initiative in Bangladesh by your special effort and innovative leadership.

It is our pleasure to convey our best wishes to Ministry of information through you. We are also expressing our gratitude on behalf of our colleagues in the community radio movement, which has been moving since a decade.

You have a very efficient team to do thing in right time. You know, our rural people have capacity to improve their livelihood, but they don’t have their own media to do development communication. We think community radio will be their mouthpiece. It will be the perfect platform for policy maker, service provider, stakeholder, leaders and development partners to communicate each other by learning from the communities.

We appreciate your initiative and quick process toward rural and marginalized people to have their voice in the air by community radio.

Community Radio Academy and Bangladesh NGOs Network for Radio and Communication (BNNRC) is always with you to assist in connection with strong community radio sector in Bangladesh.

We have all the time with you for community Radio Development in Bangladesh.
With best regards,


AHM. Bazlur Rahman-S21BR
Chief Executive Officer
Bangladesh NGOs Network for Radio and Communication (BNNRC)
Phone: 88-02-9130750, 88-02-9138501, 01711881647 Fax: 88-02-9138501-105
ceo@bnnrc.net, bnnrc@bd.drik.net www.bnnrc.net

Montreal, April 26, 2010. The World Association of Community Radio Broadcasters (AMARC) saluted today the approval of 12 community radio licences in Bangladesh, as one of the most important breakthroughs for community broadcasting in South Asia.

This is a first step on what should become a strong and much needed communication for development sector in Bangladesh. AMARC expressed its support to the Bangladesh NGO Network for Radio and Communication (BNNRC) for its constant advocacy for Community Radio. AMARC encourages the Government of Bangladesh to accelerate its response to dozens of other similar requests by civil society organisations.

The Ministry of Information, of the Government of People’s Republic of Bangladesh has approved 12 Community Radio Initiators to install and operate community radio in Bangladesh first time. It accepts Community Radio with the objective to provide livelihood related information to the rural communities on agriculture, education, health, disaster, women and child issues, market price, services, and other issues.

Steve Buckley, president of AMARC, applauded the constant advocacy work by the Bangladesh NGO Network for Radio and Communication (BNNRC) and other development actors in Bangladesh. AMARC Asia Pacific and the AMARC global network stressed their interest to continue their support to the next steps of community radio development in Bangladesh.

A consultation meeting about the Role of Community Radio in Development of Sitakunda was held on last 3 July, 2010 at Upazilla auditorium, Sitakunda.

The chief Guest of this meeting was Alhaj ABM Abul Kashem, the member of the parliament of Chittagong 2. The special guest of the meeting was the Upazilla Chairman Abdullah Al Baker. The meeting was moderated by the Chief Executive of Young Power in Social Action- YPSA, Mr. Arifur Rahman. Concept of Community Radio for Development presented by the AHM Bazlur Rahman, Chief Executive Officer of Bangladesh NGOs Network for Radio and Communication (BNNRC).

The Chief Guest of the meeting and the honorable member of the parliament Alhaj ABM Abul Kashem said that the government of Bangladesh is on the way to fulfill their election manifesto by approving Community Radio. He expected that the advantage of the Digital Bangladesh would reach to the grass root level of Sitakunda by Community Radio.

The local people of Sitakunda would get the advantage of Community Radio services driven by Young Power in Social Action (YPSA) for operated radio station. He also thanked honorable minister of the Ministry of Information Abul Kalam Azad and Secretary of the Ministry of Information Dr. Kamal Addul Naser Chowdhury for approving Community Radio.

The special guest of the meeting Mr. Abdullah Al Baker, upazilla chairman of Sitakunda said that YPSA contributed in every endeavor of Sitakunda,this development will be accelerated by Community Radio services. He assured all possible help from the upazilla parishad for Community Radio station and its forthcoming activities.

The president of Sitakunda Business Community Mr. Abul Kashem said that the business people want to be a part of this Community Radio operation by helping whatever the organization needs. Principal Jarina Akhter said that it will be great pleasure to be a part of Community Radio activities especially the education related program.

Journalist Liton Kumar Chowdhury, the Chief Editor of Chatgar Bani, Md. Yousuf, the councilor of Paurosova Shafiul Alam Chowdhury Murad, Sitakunda Press Club president Kaiuyum Chowdhury, Nasir Uddin from CODEC,

Freedom fighter commander Alimullah, Story writing specialist Debashish Bhattacharjee, Journalist Jamshed Uddin, Journalist Md. Sikandar, Lady Member Kohinoor Akhter, Educationist Pradip Mandal, President of Social Welfare Federation Mahfizur Rahman, and Social Worker Dr. Ekhlas Uddin were also present and participated in discussion meeting.

A three days long training workshop titled, ‘Training of Facilitators: Community Radio Installation, Broadcast and Operation’ has inaugurated today in IDB Bhaban, Dhaka.

The event has organized by Community Radio Academy and Bangladesh NGOs Network for Radio and Communication (BNNRC) (19-21 June 2010) with the support of Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA). The community radio initiators who received government approval to operate station will join the training as a last time preparation for kick-off.

Recently, Bangladesh government approved 14 initiators for installation of community radio stations in different part of the country. This is the first time in Bangladesh history, media diversification is allowed community people to involve in broadcasting. It is a rare occasion for us to promote community participation in media and communication sector, and foster community driven development process in the country. It is high time for initiators to develop capacity in the areas of station management, programming, content development, human resource and financial resource management, business plan development, committee formations, issue based guideline development, volunteer management, and so on.

Community Radio Academy and Bangladesh NGOs Network for Radio and Communication BNNRC has been leading the community radio initiatives from its inception. As part of this, the training workshop has designed for the station managers and initiators for better understanding and hand-on experience sharing for successful station operation. A panel of practitioners and professionals will be conducted the training based on realistic needs.

We hope after attending the training the target beneficiaries will be able to design their own strategies related to station operation as guided in the policy.

Bangladesh NGOs Network for Radio and Communication (BNNRC) has organized a conference on ‘Community Radio in Bangladesh: Lesson from International Practice, Moving from Policy to Action in Bangladesh’, on 13th April 2010, in BRAC Inn, Dhaka, Bangladesh, supported by USAID/PROGATI. International Expert on community radio from U.S.A. Ms Terry Thielen was presented her keynote paper in the conference.

She had traveled and interviewed number of community radio initiator, academic, researcher, advocacy leader, civil society leader, government official, journalist, media specialist and communication expert in Bangladesh, before preparing her paper. In her presentation, she applauded the systematic and sustainable course of actions for establishing community radio in Bangladesh.

Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) Chairman Maj Gen Zia Ahmed, psc (Retd.) was presented as the chief guest and Dr. Akram Hossain Chowdhury Member of Parliament (MP) moderated the conference. Information Commissioner of Information Commission, Bangladesh Professor Dr. Sadeka Halim, Dr. Mohammad Zainul Abedin, Country Representative, International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) Bangladesh, Syed Marghub Morshed, Former chairman, Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) were the Guest of Honor.

A number of community radio advocates were there as guests . Among the participants there were regulator, government official, civil society leader, academia, community radio initiator, journalist, researcher, representative from corporate sector, development partner representative, UN official, media think-tank, ICT4D expert, media specialist, broadcast managers, etc.

Ms Terry Thielen has worked with community radio since 2002, mostly as part of USAID funded projects engaging community radio for democracy building in Haiti, Jamaica, Rwanda and Sudan. She was contracted by PROGATI/ USAID to conduct an assessment of the community radio environment to gain an understanding of the history of community radio in Bangladesh, the role of key players in the movement, the existing legal framework, and the ‘readiness’ of community radio initiators themselves.

In her study, she found ‘the Bangladesh community radio movement to be remarkably well prepared, organized and ready to begin the process of establishing community radio stations across the country. The long term advocacy and orientation efforts of key grassroots civil society players such as Bangladesh NGOs Network for Radio and Communication(BNNRC) and others, along with support from UNESCO, Cordaid, Free Voice, UNICEF, CIDA, Article19 and various donors have laid a solid foundation on which to build a vibrant, effective and sustainable community radio sector.’ In her presentation, she offered few recommendations to different player in community radio initiative.

For Community Radio Advocates, her suggestions are mainly focused on capacity building activities. She emphasized on Community Radio Academy for designing curriculum and approach to help initiators for efficient operation of community radio stations.

Her recommendation for community radio initiators was on the involvement of community people in the station. She advised to hire employees from the community to operate community radio stations.

For government, she appealed for short-term, mid-term and long-term activities. In short-term, the license should be issued immediately. In mid-term, she advocated modifying the policy before the next round of applications. In this modification, a timeline should include in the policy for issuing the license in time. For long-term she suggested to develop a review process for applicants denied licenses so they understand why their applications were rejected. She also recommended including an appeals process in the community radio policy.

Mr. S M Shameem Reza, Associate Professor, Department of Journalism and Mass Communication, University of Dhaka and Mr. Shahab Enam Khan, Assistant Professor, Jahangirnagar University was the designated discussants on the keynote paper. Later the participants were commented on the presentation.

Guest of Honor Professor Dr. Sadeka Halim highlighted the role of community radio as an instrument for promoting pluralism and good governance and Right to Information. She suggested the initiators to put women, farmers and small entrepreneurs in the community radio advisory committee. On monitoring issue, she appealed for civil society involvement.

In line with ‘Digital Bangladesh’ and ‘Vision 2021’, the present government has taken few progressive attempts. Community radio should be considered as one of the component in this regard. Chief Guest Maj Gen Zia Ahmed, psc (Retd.) has clarified the role of BTRC concerning community radio initiatives. He assured the audience that BTRC had already reserved the frequencies for the short listed community radio applicants.

At the end of the conference, moderator Dr. Akram Hossain Chowdhury MP thanked the guests and participants for their lively involvement in the event.

After the conference, a technical session on ‘Transparency, Accountability and Anti-Corruption Issues in Community Radio’ has held in the same venue, moderated by Dr. Akram Hossain Chowdhury MP.

Emphasizing on Advantages of Digital Bangladesh for the grassroots by fulfilling “A charter for Change”, Bangladesh NGOs Network for Radio and Communication (BNNRC) and Community Radio Academy jointly organized a meeting and presented research works on “Community Radio: Readiness in Bangladesh; Dissemination of Baseline Study Findings for a Way Forward” in collaboration with Bangladesh Institute of Social Research (BISR), Center for e-parliament Research and Media Watch, supported by Free Voice in IDB Meeting Room, Agargaon, Dhaka on 19 December, 2009.

The meeting was presided by Mr. Md. Rafiqul Alam, Chairperson of board of trust of BNNRC and Executive Director of Dwip Unnayan Songstha (DUS). The meeting was moderated by Dr. Akram Hossain Chowdhury- Member of the Parliament, Chairperson of Center of e-parliament Research and member of parliamentary standing committee on Ministry of Food and Disaster Management of Bangladesh.

Mr. Obaidul Quader - Member of the Parliament (MP) and president of Parliamentary Standing Committee on Ministry of Information was the chief guest in the meeting. The guest of honor, Dr. Kamal Abdul Naser, Secretary of the Ministry of Information, Dr. Mizanur Rahman Shelly- Chairman of Center for Development Research, Bangladesh(CDRB) and Chairman, Media Commission, Bangladesh, Syed Marghub Morshed- former Chairman of Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission, Mr. AKM Shamim Chowdhury- Principal Information Officer and Director General of Bangladesh Press Institute(PIB), Mr. Aminul Islam- Joint Secretary- Broadcasting, Ministry of Information were present at the meeting.

The key Discussant, Mr. Shahab Anam Khan- Assistant Professor of Jahangirnagar University was also present at the meeting. Dr. Khorshed Alam, Chief Executive of Bangladesh Institute for Social Research (BISR), presented the ‘research findings’ in brief.

AHM Bazlur Rahman-S21BR, Chief Executive Officer of Bangladesh NGOs Network for Radio and Communication (BNNRC), delivered the welcome speech in the meeting. He also presented the latest updates of Community Radio Installation in Bangladesh. He said that the Ministry of Information had already adopted the Community Radio Installation, Broadcasting and Operation policy 2008 and had established three committee i.e. a. National Regulatory Committee b. Technical Sub-committee and c. Central Monitoring Committee as per the policy.

BNNRC has been running a fulltime national help desk from the adoption of the policy for Community Radio. Side by side of its facilitation work BNNRC has published a handbook on Community Radio. A Community Radio Academy has been established for performing Community Radio procedures effectively and building capacity. This Community Radio Academy has been training Community Radio stakeholders perfectly. 6/7 training courses and workshops has already been conducted for Community Radio operation. The National Mass Media Institute (NIMCO) under the Ministry of Information has conducted a month long training course for seven (7) Community Radio stakeholders for the first time in coordination of BNNRC. According to the Community Radio Installation, Broadcast and Operation Policy 2008, there exists tremendous Community Radio operational capacity in Bangladesh. He offered thanks to the Ministry of Information for this.

Dr. Khorshed Alam- Chief Executive Officer of Bangladesh Institute for Social Research (BISR) presented the research paper in brief according to the research “Community Radio: Readiness in Bangladesh; Dissemination of Baseline Study Findings for a Way Forward”. The Chief Discussant, Mr. Shahab Anam Khan- Assistant Professor, Department of International Relation, Jahangirnagar University, said that the government and the NGOs have to come forward with responsibility for Community Radio operation and capacity building.

Mr. Aminul Islam, Joint secretary of Ministry of Information, said that though Community Radio is the new concept in Bangladesh, the ministries are working cordially for its opening up which is in final stage now.

AKM Shamim Chowdhury, Principal Information Officer and Director General of Bangladesh Press Institute, said that the community people shall be able to build their capacity when Community Radio would be established in the community, he emphasized.

The guest of honor Mr. Syed Margub Morshed, former Chairman of BTRC (Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission), said that Community Radio is a crying need for the marginalized people and some pilot basis stations are severely needed to establish as soon as possible for its output. We have to step forward for the nation because of its utilities for the marginalized community. The community radio plays a massive role for empowering local people.

The guest of honor Dr. Mizanur Rahman Shelly, Chairman of CDRB, said that when people get developed concerning creed and cast, culture, education etc, sustainable development in the society would be ensured. There is no alternative of Community Radio for the rural and marginalized people like the people of marshy lands (Haor, Baor, bill etc.), and coastal islands.

The guest of honor, Dr. Kamal Abdul Naser- Secretary, Ministry of Information, said that the Ministry is working with importance for Community Radio. It possesses philosophical as well as fundamental utilities. The Ministry is cordially committed to fulfill ‘A Charter for Change’.

Mr. Obaidul Quader, Member of the Parliament and President of Parliamentary Standing Committee on Ministry of Information, said that the government is on the way to fulfill its commitment noted in the election manifesto by starting Community Radio immediately. As per people’s need, we have to establish Community Radio though in a small periphery. People want to see the reflection of Community Radio. He expressed hope that necessary initiatives would be taken to achieve the success of Community Radio. Why isn’t it possible in Bangladesh to establish community radio if Nepal can make development relating to information service at grass root level through Community Radio, he added.

Ms. Shamima Akhtar- Executive Director of ASWO, Mr. Mirza S.I. Khaled- Director of Sangkalpa Trust and Member of the Board of Trust of BNNRC, Mr. Ekramul Kabir- Chief Executive of Samdhan and Mr. Delwar Hossain from Bangladesh Scouts and many other people were also present in the meeting and presented their speeches. The participants were there: Members of Parliament (MPs), Governmental High Officials, Intellectuals, Teachers, Students, Social Researchers, Writers, Journalists, Development Workers and Community Radio Initiators and so forth.

Eventually, Mr. Md. Rafiqul Alam, Chairperson, Board of Trust of BNNRC and Executive Director of Dwip Unnayan Songstha offered thanks over the participants for the discussion at the end of the meeting.

AHM Bazlur Rahman-S21BR, Chief Executive Officer of Bangladesh NGOs Network for Radio and Communication will join the IGF in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt, on 15-18 November 2009, which is being graciously hosted by the Government of Egypt along with 4 members head of the Bangladesh Delegation H.E. Mr. Hasanul haq Inu, MP and Chairman Parliamentary Standing Committee for Ministry of Post and Telecommunication and

Deputy Head of the delegation H.E. Dr. Akram H. Chowdhury, MP Chairperson, Centre for e-parliament Studies and Member, Parliamentary Standing Committee for Ministry Food and Disaster and Mr. M.A Haque Anu, Secretary- Bangladesh Internet Governance Forum.

The overall theme of the meeting will be Internet Governance – Creating Opportunities for All. The theme reflects the basic purpose of the IGF to develop a common understanding of how to maximize the opportunities the Internet offers for all nations and peoples, and how to address the risks and challenges, while also raising awareness of the development dimension of Internet governance.

A broad-based consultation process through the Multistakeholder Advisory Group has generated the following proposed agenda for the meeting:

• Managing critical internet resources;
• Security, openness and privacy;
• Access and diversity;
• Internet governance in light of WSIS principles;
• Emerging issues – impact of social networks; and
• Taking stock and the way forward – desirability of the continuation of the Forum.

Bangladesh Delegation hotel address is: Hotel Savoy El Sheikh, white Knight Beach, Sharam El Sheikh, South Sinai, Egypt. Phone: 002 0693602500-2

A day-long workshop on brown planthopper (BPH) management in rice was held on Tuesday, 18 August 2009 at the Bangladesh Rice Research Institute (BRRI) in Gazipur.

BRRI and the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) jointly organized the workshop. IRRI Representative in Bangladesh Dr M Zainul Abedin attended the workshop as the Chief Guest while Executive Director of the Krishi Gobeshana Foundation Dr M Nurul Alam attended as the special guest. BRRI Director (Research) Dr M A Salam presided. Among others BRRI Director (Admin) Dr A W Julfiquer spoke on the occasion.

Head of BRRI Entomology Division Dr. Mainul Hoque presented the keynote paper while Md. Abul Khayer from the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) presented a paper on their experiences with the pest management.

Some 50 experts and representatives from DAE Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh, Jahangir Nagar University, Bangladesh Institute of Nuclear Agriculture, NGOs and Bangladesh Crop Protection Association including BRRI participated in the workshop.

BPH, a serious stemsucker pest of rice, damages the crop severely, causing hopperburn normally occurring from April-May in Boro and October-November in T.Aman.

The experts suggest to monitor the pest infestation in T.Aman rice field regularly from the last week of August this year and take necessary control measures already developed by BRRI scientists, keeping in contact with local DAE Office.

Bangladesh NGOs Network for Radio and Communication(BNNRC) demonstrated Community Radio the workshop activities on trial basis.

It is our immense pleasure to inform you that Bangladesh Pre Consultation on 2nd World Association of Community Radio Broadcasters (AMARC) Asia Pacific Conference (Bangalore, India) will be held on 13 February 2010 at 10: 00 AM to 2:00 PM. The focus of the consultation is the Progress of Community Radio in Bangladesh.

Honorable Secretary for Ministry of Information Dr. Kamal Abdul Naser Chowdhury has kindly consented to be present as Chief Guest in the Pre Consultation.

The Pre Consultation will organized by Bangladesh NGOs Network for Radio and Communication (BNNRC) with support from UNICEF Bangladesh

The 2nd World Association of Community Radio Broadcasters - Asia Pacific (AMARC-AP) Conference: Community radio for Sustainable Development and Good Governance will bring together community radio broadcasters, activists, academics, policy makers, and representatives of the donor community and governments to review the development of the community broadcasting in the Asia Pacific region in the last 4 years.

It will take a careful look at thematic areas of development such as the empowerment of women within the CR sector, the role of community broadcasting in peace building, it’s role in the face of global climate change and at times of natural disasters as well as for poverty eradication. The regional conference will address practical issues such as capacity building in areas of management, technology, community participation, monitoring and evaluation, media convergence, and networking and the conference will recommend steps that will ensure the way forward for the CR sector in the region.

The overall theme of the Bangladesh Pre Consultation will be the progress of community radio in Bangladesh. There are both challenges and opportunities to establish community radio in Bangladesh. Lots of initiatives are under processing and hopes are there to have community broadcasting soon.

This consultation will create an enabling environment for initiators, advocates, academicians, practitioners, development partners and researchers to interact with policy makers and implementers. This intended coalition will generate idea and working partnership for better and effective community broadcasting system in the country. Broadly MDG and our own development roadmap will be focused as well to address in the said broadcasting system.

Distinguished Member of Parliament (MP), Policy–Makers and Representatives from Government, Media, Academia, CSOs, and Corporate Sector are expected to join the Bangladesh Pre Consultation.

Outputs of Bangladesh Pre Consultation will present to 2nd World Association of Community Radio Broadcasters (AMARC) Asia Pacific Conference (Bangalore, India) on 20-23 February, 2010.

We strongly believe, Outputs of Bangladesh Pre Consultation will add a new and positive dimension towards building the knowledge based society and Digital Bangladesh through Community Radio in Bangladesh.
For more information regarding Bangladesh Delegation@AMARC-AP E-Mail is ceo@bnnrc.net

The Chief Executive Officer of Bangladesh NGOs Network for Radio and Communication (BNNRC), AHM Bazlur Rahman, met M. Azizur Rahman, the Chief Information Commissioner, Information Commission Bangladesh, on August 30 2009 at Information Commission Office, Dhaka, Bangladesh.

At the meeting Chief Information Commissioner was congratulated by Mr. Rahman for taking responsibility as Chief Information Commissioner of Information Commission, Bangladesh. BNNRC hopes that Information Commission will play a significant role with his dynamic leadership.

In the meeting CEO of BNNRC briefed him regarding some agendas: Community Radio installation, broadcasting and operation policy, 2008 has already been drawn up with an endeavor of Ministry of Information. Just after the declaration of Community Radio policy, Information Ministry invites application for installation of Community Radio from 18 March, 2008. Gradually, National Regulatory Committee, Technical Sub Committee and Central Monitoring Committee are formed as per the said policy.

A promise was expressed in Article 19.1 of Bangladesh Awami League’s Election Manifesto named “Din Bodoler Sonod” in which they expressed endeavor to open up Community Radio at local level apart from National Mass Communication for ensuring freedom of mass communication and free flow of information.

Community Radio Academy has already been set up for building capacity of Community Radio stakeholders. Training workshops, seminars etc are being held one after another with the endeavor of Community Radio Academy. We think, there now remains manpower, preparation, and capability of operating 40/50 Community Radio all over the country.

Having realized everything, Chief Information Commissioner emphasized that Community Radio undoubtedly can play a dynamic and far reaching role in establishing Right to Information at grass root level and without Community Radio, it is quite impossible to establish Right to Information at grass root level so easily and at a low cost.

In that connection, he will employ his effort to make installed more Community Radio stations individually and officially. At that period, Mr. Mohammad Abu Taher, Information Commissioner, was also present.

CEO of BNNRC also re-expected Mr. M. Azizur Rahman’s personal endeavor to accelerate the Community Radio broadcasting process for ensuring Access to Information and Good Governance as well as Development.

Bangladesh NGOs Network for Radio and Communication (BNNRC) organized training workshop on Community Radio: Operation, Management and Sustainable Planning supported by Free Voice. The workshop was organized from 14-16 June, 2009 in Dhaka.

The objective of the workshop is to clarify the Community Radio concept and its strategies of operation, different aspects of CR management and sustainable planning.

Thirty high officials from twenty eight applied organizations attended the workshop. Mr. Sohel Aurongojeb, the consultant of Community Radio Academy, facilitated in the workshop.

The issues discussed in the sessions of workshop are: What CR is and why it is essential; the present position of CR in perspective of Bangladesh; CR by laws; Structure of CR Management Committee; CR Station Structure (Administrative); Job Description Manual-HRD, Gender; Finance (with content list); Regulatory Affairs (license fee, license renewal, reporting etc.); Programs to be Broadcast/ not to be Broadcast (on the basis of government policy); Information, Education, Entertainment, Development Motivation ; Daily and Weekly Cue Sheet; Costing Plan for Programs; Volunteer Management; Program Resource Management (Human Resource, Financial Resource etc.) and feedback from audiences; Management Planning; Financial Planning; and Strategic Planning.

The organizations which participated in the workshop are: Speed Trust, Bangladesh Scouts, BRAC, BCDJC, Krishi and Samajik Unnayan Songstha, TMSS, South Asia Partnership- Bangladesh (SAP- Bangladesh), Young Power in Social Action(YPSA), CDA, D.Net, COAST Trust, Come to Work, Pirojpur Gono Unnayan Society, LDRO, Srijoni Bangladesh, POPI, CCD Bangladesh, Sankalpa Trust, Proyas Manobik Unnayan Society, MMC, Gono Unnayan Kendro, Kiraro No Ki, RDRS, Deep Unnayan Songstha, Jugantor Somaj Unnayan Songstha, Samadhan, NHRDA, Nolta Hospital and Community Health Foundation.

MR. Shamim Ahsan, the Communication Officer of UNESCO, and Mr. Mostafa Kamal, the Administrative Chief of Coast Trust, were also present in the closing session.

A two- day workshop on “Asia Calling Bangladesh: How to get started and keep going in Bangladesh” jointly organized by Asia Calling Radio, an Indonesia based radio program broadcasting news in Asian countries, and Bangladesh NGOs Network for Radio and Communication (BNNRC) was held at BRAC Inn Center in Dhaka on June 22 and 23.

The aim of the workshop is to broadcast radio program in Bangla. Katie Hamann, Jakarta representative of Asia Calling, conducted the workshop.

To run Asia calling Bangla service, ten journalists from different print and electronic media participated in the workshop. The workshop was conducted on different aspects of radio programs including short packages, feature reports, and radio documentary. Technical aspects regarding making radio news, techniques of voiceover, voice training, audition in adobe addition, radio features etc were the major demonstrated attention of the workshop.

Primarily, in coordination with BNNRC, Asia Calling radio program will be broadcast in Bangla using web radio. It may be mentioned that Asia Calling is broadcast in English and Indonesian on 135 stations throughout the Indonesian archipelago. Besides, the program also extends beyond Indonesia and is broadcast in local languages in Australia, Thailand, Cambodia, The Philippines, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Nepal, Myanmar and Timor Leste.

The participants think, on the eve of Bangla service of Asia Calling, this kind of training will obviously enrich the Bangla division of Asia Calling.

Bangladesh NGOs Network for Radio and Communication (BNNRC) is advocating promotion of community radio with the government in relations with other organizations since its inception. The objective of BNNRC’s Community Radio intervention is to address critical social issues at community level, such as poverty and social exclusion, empowerment of marginalized rural groups and catalyze democratic process in decision making and ongoing development efforts.

Community Radio is going to play a pivotal role in decision making at both local and national level in the development process of Bangladesh. Ministry of Information has adopted Community Radio Installation, Broadcasting and Operation Policy in 2008. Having this unique pro-people policy first time in Bangladesh and 2nd of its kind in South Asia, Bangladesh has already been widely appreciated by local, national and international bodies fighting for right to information of the common masses. .

It is worthy to mention here that opening the arena of right to information for the rural people of Bangladesh through establishing community radio stations under a progressive broadcasting policy, was declared in the Bangladesh Awami League election manifesto 2008 (Article No.19.1 of the Charter for Change).

Bangladesh NGOs Network for Radio and Communication (BNNRC) is going to conduct a national baseline survey on Community Radio in the country. This survey is implementing by renound research farm of the country, Bangladesh Institute of Social Research(BISR).

180 applications had been submitted from different organizations for the permission of establishing community radio stations in their respective areas. Out of these,116 organizations have been identified for 2nd stage scrutiny i. e. police verification. The process of police verification is going on.

But, no survey or study was conducted in Bangladesh to identify the community choice, needs and demands about the language, contents, broadcasting hour or types of programs to be broadcasted by the communiti radio stations. In this situation, the aspirants and initiators of the community radio stations are remain in dark about these most important issues directly related to community radio operation.

Bangladesh NGOs Network for Radio and Communication (BNNRC) is conducting this survey of the community information needs, preparedness, acceptance and community choice through representational response, questionnaire, focus group discussion and interview in ten strategicaly important areas. All six administrative divisions are included for this survey.

The draft survey report will be published and disseminated among the key stakeholders of community radio as well as print and electronic media through a national seminar in Dhaka by June 2009. The findings of survey and suggestions adopted on them in the seminar will also be presented in the international conference of AMARC-Asia Pacific scheduled to be held in Bangalore, India in October 2009.

This national baseline survey process has approved by NGO Ahffairs Bureau consultation with Ministry of Information and congenial support from Free Voice.

The speaker of Bangladesh Parliament, Advocate Abdul Hamid, was formally given a Community Radio Handbook on Good Governance and Development on 6 April 2009 on behalf of Bangladesh NGOs Network for Radio and Communication (BNNRC). This Community Radio Handbook on Good Governance and Development supported by DFID- Bangladesh.

At the time of handing over the handbook, the Chief Executive Officer of Bangladesh NGOs Network for Radio and Communication (BNNRC), AHM Bazlur Rahman briefed the honorable speaker concerning the latest process of Community Radio approval in Bangladesh.

He was requested to start an FM Radio Channel named Bangladesh Parliament FM Radio with the endeavor of parliament in order to establish a direct communication in the midst of parliament and common mass and enhance awareness amongst people regarding parliament.

The speaker listened to the Community Radio issue with rapt attention and thanked the organizers for publishing the handbook.

Community Radio Movement Adviser, Dr. Akram Hossain Chowdhury MP, was also present at that moment.

Bangladesh NGOs Network for Radio and Communication (BNNRC) is promoting the advocacy with the government in relations to community radio with other organizations since its emergence. The objective of BNNRC’s Community Radio intervention is to address crucial social issues at community level, such as poverty and social exclusion, empower marginalized rural groups and catalyze democratic processes and ongoing development efforts.

Community Radio is going to make an important place in development field in Bangladesh. Ministry of Information formulated Community Radio Installation, Broadcasting and Operation Policy 2008. Having prepared a complete pro-people policy for the first time in Bangladesh and 2nd policy in South Asia, the People’s Republic of Bangladesh has already been widely appreciated by local, national and international bodies.

Under this circumstance, BNNRC has taken initiative of publishing a Community Radio Handbook for Good Governance and Development to meet the basic needs and demands of the community radio initiators, regulators, managers, community leaders and community broadcasters in respect to setting up and operating the community radio stations successfully in Bangladesh.

In the meantime, Community Radio Academy has been established by Bangladesh NGOs Network for Radio and Communication (BNNRC) with a view to building up capacity on community radio operation of the initiators. Under the initiatives of the academy training workshops, round table, seminar etc are being organized incessantly.

This handbook will be a good compilation of all necessary chapters and key aspects of community radio operation mechanism. With the help of this Community Radio Handbook, Community Radio stakeholders will have knowledge of technical and management skills, come to know about the function, management, procedure, prospect, sustainability, working environment, financial management, culture, socio-economic status, challenges and difficulties of running Community Radio and have all concerned resources and facilities available for their progress and success.

This Handbook will be helpful for long-term preservation and sharing as a guide with the concerned policy makers, donor agencies, Community Radio related regulators, technical and monitoring committee members, local, and central administration such as, Parliamentarian, Ministries, Civil Society, Upa zila Chairman, Deputy Commissioners (DC), Upazila Nirbahi Officers (UNO), officials of the local intelligence wings and law enforcing agencies, local government and people working in this field for nation building process at different level.

Awami League President Sheikh Hasina yesterday (12 December, 2008) unveiled her party's election manifesto titled Charter for Change.

Community Radio services has already included in Charter for Change under the Freedom of mass media and information.

19. Freedom of mass media and information

19.1 The freedom of all types of mass media and flow of information will be ensured. Initiatives will be taken for community radio services, besides national radio network.

19.2 Investigation and trial of assassination of all journalists will be made expeditiously and the real criminals will be given exemplary punishment. Persecution and intimidation of journalists will be stopped. All false cases against them will be withdrawn.

19.3 Discrimination in distribution of advertisements on partisan consideration shall be discontinued, and development of the newspaper as an industry will be aided.

For happy reading Bangla and English: http://www.albd.org/autoalbd/content/view/367/

Community Radio is playing very significant role in the countries of South Asia responding to other regions of the world. Recently Information Ministry of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh formulated Community Radio Installation, Broadcast and Operation Policy 2008 and we would thank the Government for this policy.

Bangladesh NGOs Network for Radio and Communication (BNNRC), you know, is promoting the advocacy with the government in relation to community radio with other organizations since its emergence.
State is still a sweeping entity to the poor people in Bangladesh, where to reach is tiresome and dialogue is beyond imagination. At the same time, even their own community neglects the voice of the poor people. In this circumstance, promoting, empowering and extension of community radio can play significant role in alleviating poverty through creating easy access of the poor to the information highway.

The third goal of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) is gender equity and women empowerment. Considering the ownership and access to the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) as an instance, it appears transparent that gender discrimination in technological use is extensively wide in Bangladesh.
Gender discrimination is much wider in broadcasting sector. As community radio is going to run in the country, if the gender issue is considered with much emphasis since the beginning, it will be possible to ensure gender equality at least in the administration, management, program and financial planning of community radio operation.

One of the objectives of publishing the very Gender Policy in Community Radio Stations prepared by World Association of Community Radio Broadcasters (AMARC) - Women International Network (WIN) Asia Pacific in Bangla is to create massive awareness of the government, non-government and development initiators on eliminating gender discrimination in community radio stations.

We hope the community radio initiators will follow the instruction stated in the Gender Policy in Community Radio Stations and play marking role in ensuring gender equity in the broadcast sector in Bangladesh. Be Community Radio one of the development tools for the voiceless.

Full Publication at:Gender Policy for Community Radio Stations

On the occasion of the week long visit of ARTICLE 19 Global Executive Director Dr. Agnes Callamard in Bangladesh, ARTICLE 19 Bangladesh office organized a reception in Dhaka on Thursday.

In the reception Dr Agnes Callamard launched a website named www.provoicebd.org of the ARTICLE 19 project titled "Access to Information for Greater Participation and Government Accountability” funded by DFID-UK and a Bangla version of an ARTICLE 19 International Standard Series booklet named The Public's Right to Know: Principles on Freedom of Information Legislation. The booklet was distributed among the participants.

Bangladesh NGOs Network for Radio and Communication (BNNRC) with the participation of ARTICLE 19 partner organizations developed the website and published the Bangla version of the booklet under this project.

Among others, ARTICLE 19 Country Director in Bangladesh Ms. Tahmina Rahman presented welcome address while higher officials of the partner organizations attended the reception.

Assistant Coordinator of BNNRC Mr Khorshed Alam presented the website details and the whole website through multimedia session. An ifter party followed the reception.

Bangladesh NGOs Network for Radio and Communication is working in association with other partner organizations regarding the need for a Right to Information Law since its inception.

We believe the Right to Information Act should have such mechanism that enables general people having important information. The mechanism would establish that providing information on demand is the rule and hiding is the denial of law. The law should have a list about which information might not be provided and this list must be very short. It is to be ensured that the information provided should be very easy and comprehensible to the general people. The law should have the measure to take action on unexpected refusal on the demand for information.

The objective of this Bangla translation is to appraise/analyze the Right to Information Act drafted by the government of Bangladesh in accordance with the international standard and enrich the draft.

We hope the Bangla translation of the booklet Public’s Right to Know: International Standard Series, a production of Article 19 to play a positive role among the civil society, politicians, government and non government officials, mass media and others and to assist the current Right to Information Act 2008 to be enriched.

A high delegation led by Dr. Agnès Callamard, Executive Director of Article19 visited Bangladesh NGOs Network for Radio and Communication (BNNRC) on September 10, 2008.

Mr. AHM Bazlur Rahman, Chief Executive Officer of BNNRC welcomed them at BNNRC office and briefed about BNNRC and its activities through a multimedia presentation.

Article19 Executive Director wanted to know about Right to Information (RTI) policy, Rural Knowledge Centers (RKC) and Rural Know Volunteer (RKV) through RKC and their role to community, sustainability of the RKCs for ICT4D, future plan of BNNRC regarding community radio etc. The team expressed their satisfaction over BNNRC’s activities.

Mr. Khorshed Alam, Assistant Coordinator of BNNRC, presented the website of www.provoicebd.org through multimedia presentation and got necessary feedback from Article19 Executive Director and she also advised to develop another website on Bangla version where people from grassroots easily access and gather information.

Among others Ms. Tahmina Rahman, Director of Article19 Bangladesh and Mr. Kamaruzzaman, Program Coordinator of BNNRC were present on the occasion.

Bangladesh NGOs Network for Radio and Communication (BNNRC) along with other like-minded organizations has been conducting advocacy with the Government for community radio in Bangladesh since its inception. As a consequence, the Ministry of Information recently formulated Community Radio Installation, Broadcasting and Operation Policy 2008.

Primarily 116 organizations were identified as eligible of policy approval for community radio in a meeting of the National Regulatory Committee held in the Ministry of Information on Tuesday 15 July, 2008. On 23 July 2008 Ministry of Information sent an official letter to Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) and Home Ministry to issue security permit for the selected 116 community radio stations. As a consequence, investigation by three Government intelligence wings are working in the field level to find out required integrity, quality and legal status of the CR initiators.

From the community radio related experience, BNNRC feels deep urge that there should be an all out national initiative to train up manpower for the smooth operation of the community radio stations. With this view, BNNRC has set up a Community Radio Academy. From this academy training courses, technical support and research and development support will be given to the community radio stakeholders round the year.

In this backdrop, with main focus on the role of community radio in developing life and livelihood of the rural communities, Community Radio Installation, Broadcast and Operation Policy – 2008 and technical operation of Community Radio and strategy of work-plan for sustainable operation of community radio, Bangladesh NGOs Network for Radio and Communication (BNNRC) organized a daylong training workshop on Community Radio: How to Get Started and Keep Going in Bangladesh at IDB Auditorium in Dhaka on Wednesday, 27 August, 2008.

A total of 136 representatives from 98 community radio initiators including non-government development and research organizations took part in the workshop.>> Read more

Please Download the Presentaion


About Community Radio, A.H.M Bazlur Rahman
Community Radio Station: BUDGET model, Sohel Awrangzeb
Community Radio_Technical and Operational Overview, Sohel Awrangzeb
Community Radio Station setup, Sohel Awrangzeb
Gender Relation and Development in Community Radio station, A.H.M Abdul Hai
Guidline on Community Radio
Report on Training Workshop,
Schedule for Community Radio Workshop Training Workshop Promotional Materials
Folder ,Certificate, Name Card

Dhaka, 09 July 2008:-
Community Radio broadcasters are indeed artisans or craftspeople, creating images with sounds, not designing media to a formula driven by marketing calculation or propagandistic intent, but drawing on a passion for the medium and a belief that community broadcasting can make a difference to people's lives and livelihoods,

Speakers said it at a daylong roundtable on “Ensuring Sustainable Growth of Community Radio in Bangladesh: Removing barriers, Increasing Effectiveness” held at LGED Conference Room in Dhaka on Wednesday. They said, in almost all cases we find a close correlation between the emergence of community radio and political change towards greater democracy. Not only in Africa, but in Asia, we find similar patterns.

Please Download the Presentaion

Access_&_participation, Ashish Sen (Voice), India

Planinig_A_Sustainable_Growth_of_CR, Raghu Mainali (CRSC), Nepal

Steve Buckly - AMARC International

Presentation_Gender_Policy,

State_of_Broadcasting_System_in_Bangladesh

Press Release, Round_Table_Program,

Welcome_speech_by_A H M Bazlur Rahman,

Photo album

Community Radio has a very special place in BNNRC's intervention. The objective of BNNRC 's Community Radio intervention is to address crucial social issues at community level, such as poverty and social exclusion, empower marginalized rural groups and catalyze democratic processes and on going development efforts. You know BNNRC is promoting the advocacy with the government in relations to community radio with other organizations since its emergence.

BNNRC provided technical assistance to around 200 organizations in the community radio application process through a National Help Desk on Community Radio in BNNRC Secretariat in Dhaka. Through this experience we have felt that a pro active institution should be activated to create necessary human resource, research and development and technical cooperation for Community Radio in Bangladesh.

In this backdrop, BNNRC has established Community Radio Academy. The Academy is going to provide community radio related training, technical assistance and other support round the year. We hope community radio to be the alternative and strongly effective mass media for the rural disadvantaged population to express their thinking in their own voice.

Full publication >>

The community radio network could give the marginalized people of the country access to information and thus play immense role in the development of particular communities, speakers at a daylong international seminar said on Sunday. They said, the prospect of the Community Radio is that it could give voice to the voiceless people, but the rules and procedures of the licensing system should have provisions to ensure that the ownership of the information really remain within the community.
Asian Media Information and Communication Centre (AMIC), Bangladesh NGO’s Network for Radio and Communication (BNNRC and United News of Bangladesh (UNB) jointly arranged the seminar with the theme “Peoples Voices, Peoples Participation and Community Radio” at the conference room of UNB.

Information Secretary Jamil Osman as Chief Guest inaugurated the seminar while former Chairman of Bangladesh Telecommunication and Regulatory Commission (BTRC) and former Secretary of the Government Syed Margub Morshed was in the chair. Country Director and Representative of UNESCO in Bangladesh Dr Malama Meleisea and Assistant Country Director of UNDP in Bangladesh K A M Morshed addressed the inaugural session as Special Guests.
Among others, Secretary General of AMIC Dr Indrajit Banerjee, Professor of International Institute of Communication, UK Dr Andrew Taussig, Director General of Press Institute of Bangladesh (PIB) Mohammad Nazrul Islam and Chairman of UNB Amanullah Khan addressed the session. AMIC Head of Research Dr Kalinga Seneviratne presented the keynote paper of the session titled “Overview of Community Radio across Asia: Opportunities and Challenges”.

Please Download the Press Release
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Bangladesh government recently invited appliction form to launch Community Radio as piloting basis.For that BNNRC published a guide book for Community Radio Enthusiast on installation of Community Radio, Budget and planning and Many more.

Full Publication at:CR_Policy

The government has formulated a policy on the installation, broadcast and operation of community radio to facilitate information dissemination, said a Press Information Department handout on Sunday.

The handout said the communality radio installation, broadcast and operation policy 2008 was posted on the information ministry web site (www.moi.gov.bd) for the people interested in community radio licence.

For English version please visit:CR Policy 2008

A day-long workshop on brown planthopper (BPH) management in rice was held on Tuesday, 18 August 2009 at the Bangladesh Rice Research Institute (BRRI) in Gazipur.

BRRI and the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) jointly organized the workshop. IRRI Representative in Bangladesh Dr M Zainul Abedin attended the workshop as the Chief Guest while Executive Director of the Krishi Gobeshana Foundation Dr M Nurul Alam attended as the special guest. BRRI Director (Research) Dr M A Salam presided. Among others BRRI Director (Admin) Dr A W Julfiquer spoke on the occasion.

Head of BRRI Entomology Division Dr. Mainul Hoque presented the keynote paper while Md. Abul Khayer from the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) presented a paper on their experiences with the pest management.

Some 50 experts and representatives from DAE Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh, Jahangir Nagar University, Bangladesh Institute of Nuclear Agriculture, NGOs and Bangladesh Crop Protection Association including BRRI participated in the workshop.

BPH, a serious stemsucker pest of rice, damages the crop severely, causing hopperburn normally occurring from April-May in Boro and October-November in T.Aman.

The experts suggest to monitor the pest infestation in T.Aman rice field regularly from the last week of August this year and take necessary control measures already developed by BRRI scientists, keeping in contact with local DAE Office.

Bangladesh NGOs Network for Radio and Communication (BNNRC) and Community Radio Academy demonstrated Community Radio the workshop activities on trial basis.

Community Radio has a very special place in BNNRC's intervention. The objective of BNNRC 's Community Radio intervention is to address crucial social issues at community level, such as poverty and social exclusion, empower marginalized rural groups and catalyze democratic processes and on going development efforts. You know BNNRC is promoting the advocacy with the government in relations to community radio with other organizations since its emergence.

Role of Community Radio in rural areas like give voice to the people who normally have no access to the mass media nor opportunity to express their views on community development, Speeds up the process of informing the community and therefore acts as a catalyst of change, Promote the right to communicate, assist the free flow of information and opinions, encourage creative expression and contribute to the democratic process and a pluralist society;

Provide access to training, production and distribution facilities; encourage local creative talent and foster local traditions; and provide program for the benefit, entertainment, education and development of their listeners.

Seek to have their ownership representative of local geographically recognizable communities or of communities of common interest. Provide a right of access to minority and marginalized groups and promote and protect cultural and linguistic diversity. Seek to honestly inform their listeners on the basis of information drawn from a diversity of sources and provide a right of reply to any person or organization subject to serious misrepresentation. Community Radio helps to put the community members in charge of their own affairs

As a result Ministry of Information of People's Republic of Bangladesh has announced the Community Radio Installation, Broadcast and Operation Policy 2008 for the first time in Bangladesh. The Ministry of information has also formulated three committees i.e National Regulatory Committee, Technical Sub Committee and Central Monitoring Committee to look after the smooth operation of community radio in Bangladesh.

By the way the technical sub-committee formed in accordance with the community radio policy 2008, sent a list of 124 Government and non-government organizations after sorting out of 180 applications to the National Regulatory Committee headed by Information Secretary. This committee selected 116 organizations eligible for license on Tuesday 15th July, 2008. Notably, 400 organizations drew application forms from the Ministry but only 180 submitted their applications for license. Having insufficient documents, papers and qualifications for the license, applications of those organizations have been ineligible of the consideration for license.

BNNRC provided technical assistance to around 200 organizations in the community radio application process through a National Help Desk on Community Radio in BNNRC Secretariat in Dhaka. Through this experience we have felt that a pro active institution should be activated to create necessary human resource, research and development and technical cooperation for Community Radio in Bangladesh.

In this backdrop, BNNRC has established Community Radio Academy. The Academy is going to provide community radio related training, technical assistance and other support round the year. We hope community radio to be the alternative and strongly effective mass media for the rural disadvantaged population to express their thinking in their own voice.

We invite you to Support Community Radio initiative in Bangladesh.
ceo@bnnrc.net

Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) celebrated World Telecommunication and Information Society Day 2009. A two-day national program was held on this grand occasion in Chittagong, Bangladesh on 17th May, Sunday, 2009.

World Telecommunication and Information Society Day (WTISD) is celebrated annually on 17 May since 1969 to raise the awareness of the people regarding various aspect of ICT. The event was celebrated in Chittagong this year.

The theme of this year was “Protecting Children in Cyberspace”. To popularize the concept in building awareness and to ensure youth participation, Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) chalked out an elaborate program for two days (17 - 18 May ‘09).

Keeping “Digital Bangladesh” and “Vision 2021″ in view, the observance of WTISD-09 comprised of an ICT based exhibition, Seminar, ICT classes and various online/offline competition at IEB, Chittagong. The purpose of this event was to encourage the citizen of Bangladesh for contributing in building ICT based nation. The idea was to connect the unconnected and to bridge the gap between lighted and unlighted in the field of ICT related knowledge.

Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) chose Chittagong, the Commercial Capital of the country, to host the first-time national level observance of World Telecommunication and Information Society Day 2009.

Demonstration of a full-functional Community Radio Station took place at the program venue, Engineers Institution Bangladesh, Chittagong center on the eve of World Telecommunication and Information Society Day 2009 during the two days program.

The regulatory body for telecom affairs in Bangladesh, Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC), entrusted Bangladesh NGOs Network for Radio and Communication (BNNRC) to demonstrate a Community Radio station during the program. It can be worthy to mention here that this demonstration of Community Radio Station is the first of its kind in Bangladesh.

Participants of all walks of the society, particularly honorable ministers, members of the parliament, elected representatives of various tier of local government system, academia and students, civil society members, print and electronic media, corporate sector representatives as well as common people came across the basic features of Community Radio Operation through this program.

It is also important to point out here that the present ruling party, Bangladesh Awami League, in its election manifesto 2008 (A Charter for Change, point 19.1) confirmed the policy and programs of establishment, broadcasting and operation of Community Radio Stations in Bangladesh.

The process of scrutinizing and verification of the applications received by the Ministry of Information is now going on in the Ministry of Home affairs.

Bangladesh NGOs Network for Radio and Communication (BNNRC) acknowledged the generous support from Article 19 Bangladesh regarding successful implementation of this event.

The Chief Executive Officer of Bangladesh NGOs Network for Radio and Communication (BNNRC), met Dr. Kamal Abdul Naser Chowdhury, the new Secretary in Charge of Ministry of Information, on July 12, 2009 at Bangladesh Secretariat.

At the meeting Mr. Chowdhury was congratulated for taking responsibility as Secretary in Charge of Ministry of Information. BNNRC hopes that Ministry of Information will play a significant role with his dynamic leadership.

There Mr. Rahman briefed him regarding some agendas: Community Radio installation, broadcasting and operation policy, 2008 has already been drawn up with an endeavor of Information Ministry. Just after the declaration of Community Radio policy, Information Ministry invites application for installation of Community Radio from 18 March, 2008. Gradually, National Regulatory Committee, Technical Sub Committee and Central Monitoring Committee are formed as per the said policy.

A promise was expressed in Article 19.1 of Bangladesh Awami League’s Election Manifesto named “Din Bodoler Sonod” in which they expressed endeavor to open up Community Radio at local level apart from National Mass Communication for ensuring freedom of mass communication and free flow of information.

Community Radio Academy has already been set up for building capacity of Community Radio stakeholders. Training workshops, seminars etc are being held one after another with the endeavor of Community Radio Academy. We think, there now remains manpower, preparation, and capability of operating 40/50 Community Radio all over the country.

Mr. Chowdhury was also informed regarding AMARC – Asia Pacific (AMARC-AP) Conference. The conference is supposed to be held on October 10-14, 2009. He was requested to send a high level delegation in this conference from Ministry of Information (MOI).

BNNRC will arrange a Pre Consultation in Dhaka before AMARC-Asia Pacific (AMARC-AP) Conference. The secretary was informed regarding every important matter of it.

BNNRC has already conducted a baseline survey on Community Radio operation. He was also informed about this. BNNRC would like to disseminate the baseline survey. He was requested to participate in that occasion on the eve of dissemination.

Mr. Rahman also expected his personal endeavor to accelerate the Community Radio broadcasting process for ensuring access to Information and Good Governance as well as Development.

Bangladesh NGOs Network for Radio and Communication (BNNRC) is organizing a Conference on Community Radio in Bangladesh: Lesson from International Practice, Moving from Policy to Action in Bangladesh with support from USAID/PROGATI project.

The conference would be held on Tuesday, 13 April, 2010 at 10:30 AM in BRAC INN, Mohakhali Dhaka.

Maj Gen Zia Ahmed, psc (Retd.) Honorable Chairman, Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission has kindly consented to be present as Chief Guest in the meeting.

Ms. Terry Thielen (USA) International Expert on Community Radio will present a paper based on her global experiences and Bangladesh findings.

Dr. Akram H. Chowdhury, Honorable MP and Chairperson, Center for e-Parliament Research will moderate the program.

Distinguished Member of Parliament (MP), Policy–Makers and Representatives from Government, UN Bodies, Department Partners, Media, Academia, Community Radio Initiators and Private Sector are expected to join the event.