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Community Radio Initiators
Ready to Run the Stations Soon in
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
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 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 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. Session 1 and 2: Key Concept and
Guideline of Community Radio and Community Radio Policy in
Chief Executive Officer of BNNRC
AHM Bazlur Rahman presented welcome address and presented key concepts of
community radio operation and CR policy 2008 in the workshop. In his
presentation, he said, it is high time the community radio initiators could
design a business plan and work plan for a full-fledged community radio studio
and station in the respective community location. So, every initiator should
have a clear concept of the policy level and technical level expertise regarding
setting up a community radio. In this regard, Mr Rahman
presented a pictorial discussion on four types of broadcasting systems, special
features, preparation works, frame-work and community involvement in a community
radio station. During the question-answer session, CR initiators demanded
reducing the importing tax from the community radio equipments and minimum
charge for BTRC frequency allotment for community radio as it is the starting
period of CR operation in Session 3:
Community Radio Technology Technical Expert of Community
Radio Academy Mr. Sohel Awrangzeb presented a paper on technical aspect
including studio set up, equipments, production and broadcasting techniques and
budget for a community radio station. In his presentation, Mr Awrangzeb gave a
pictorial description of pre and post readiness of the studio, transmission,
indoor and outdoor broadcasting, recording, editing and program production
system of a community radio station. Through question-answer session,
participants came to know the technical aspects in details regarding
commencement of community radio operation. Session 4: Gender Relations and Development (GRD) in Community
Radio Operation At the forth working session,
Consultant of BNNRC Mr. A H M Abdul
Hai presented a paper on Gender Relations and Development in Community Radio
Operation while Researcher of Institute of Hazrat Muhammad (SAW) Ms. Shaila Simi
was in the chair. A proposed gender policy in community radio mentioning women's
access to the airwaves, women's representation on air, special needs of minority
women, women's representation at all levels of station management, use of
appropriate technology and funding and capacity building for women's radio
complying with the gender policy for CRS by AMARC-WIN AP was presented at the
workshop. The respondents called for greater
access to leadership, management, finances and the whole cycle of CR set-up.
They also recommended changes in the program contents and participation in the
various stages of production. Among the recommendations of the policy include
training for women; use of free and open source software, a quota of at least 30
per cent for women's leadership and representation; and special radio programs
for women. The policy also suggested more practical measures such as space
allotment for child-care; flexible working hours; women-friendly equipment
set-up and broadcast schedules; adequate lighting and security at the station;
and transportation arrangements for women who live in remote areas.
Session 5:
Plenary Session At the plenary session, participants
expressed their valued suggestions regarding way forward to enhance their
capacity and skills in program production, broadcasting, technical set-up and
operation of community radio stations. In this respect, NGO leaders stressed on
the regular training and capacity building workshops for the community radio
human resources from They also gave much emphasis on the
active role of National Institute of Mass Communication (NIMC) in arranging
training courses on community radio operation. They hailed the BNNRC initiative
of opening national help desk in its secretariat for all out information and
technical support to the community radio initiators and establishment of
From this academy training courses,
technical support and research and development support round the year are highly
expected by the community radio stakeholders. Moreover, conducting a national
baseline survey on CR, producing a national geographical map marking the CR
locations, developing training curriculum, handbook and arranging annual
conference have been planned under the activities of CRA. In the workshop, development
organizations declared their commitment of distributing a large number of free
radio sets among their stakeholders to ease the community radio listening for
the poor community people. Bazlu _______________________ AHM. Bazlur Rahman-S21BR Chief Executive Officer Bangladesh NGOs Network for Radio and Communication(BNNRC) & Member, Strategy Council UN-Global Alliance for ICT and Development (UN GAID) House: 13/1, Road:2, Shaymoli, Dhaka-1207 Post Box: 5095, Dhaka 1205 Bangladesh Phone: 88-02-9130750, 88-02-9138501 01711881647 Fax: 88-02-9138501-105 E-mail: ceo at bnnrc dot net, bnnrc at bd dot drik dot net www.bnnrc.net |