Bangladesh NGOs Network for Radio and Communication (BNNRC)’s Effort

Community Radio in Bangladesh: At the Door of Reality

Community Radio (CR) movement has started in 1998 in Bangladesh. Bangladesh NGOs Network for
Radio and Communication (BNNRC) along with other like-minded organizations and also
representatives of the civil society started movement for CR operation.

In 2006, BNNRC in collaboration with other NGOs organized a Three-Day long Round Table on
Community Radio as the National Advocacy Meeting. UNESCO, UNICEF and UNDP joined in the
advocacy activities for the first time.

After Dr. Fakhruddin Ahmed, the Honourable Chief Adviser of the Non-Party Caretaker Government of
People’s Republic of Bangladesh, has taken the charge BNNRC organized a Letter Campaign regarding
community radio. The objective of the campaign was to open up the community radio as a pilot basis.
As the outcome of the campaign Office of the Chief Adviser sent an advice to the Ministry of
Information in order to release permission for the pilot basis community radio.

For the first time in the history a high authority meeting is held at the conference room of the
Information Ministry regarding community radio on the 23 July in 2007 chaired by the Information
Secretary and organized by the Ministry of Information. After a comprehensive discussion regarding
community radio as a pilot basis the meeting takes decision to form a ministerial committee of 8
members convened by the Director General of Bangladesh Betar who would make concept paper,
regulatory framework and application form in relation to community radio and would submit to the
Ministry by one month. According to the discussion the Ministry issues the circular regarding the 8
members-committee on 22nd May in 2007.

After several meetings the Director General of Bangladesh Betar finalized the draft of the concept
paper, policy and application regarding community radio. BNNRC and MMC assisted the committee in
this regard as member.

The Ministerial Committee officially presents the concept paper, policy and application regarding
community radio in a meeting organized by the Ministry on 29th October in 2007. After a
comprehensive discussion on the issue the meeting decides the submitted concept paper, policy and
application forms to be sent to the different concerned ministries for comments and perusal. It is also
decided in the meeting that another meeting would be held after the comments are received.
According to the decision all the papers are already sent to the listed ministries for comments on 25th
November in 2007.

An inter-ministerial meeting is held on the last 6th February. Representatives of the concerned
ministries were present in the meeting. At last, the government formally announces the Community
Radio Installation, Broadcast and Operation Policy 2008 on 12 March 2008. The Ministry of
Information of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh invited very rapidly the applications for Community
Radio installation, broadcast and operation from the interested organizations.

Role of BNNRC and Intervention

In order to facilitate the application and registration process of the organizations for Community
Radio, BNNRC immediately opened a help desk in its secretariat in Dhaka. Receiving huge response
from the interested development organizations and research institutions the authority extended the
deadline up to 30 April. 450 organizations drew application forms from the Ministry and 178
applications have been submitted from different organizations in this regard.

In the whole process the Government ensured the proper participation and representation from civil
society organizations through incorporating representatives in Regulatory Committee, Technical
Committee and National Monitoring Committee for the successful operation of the Community Radio.

Under the above-mentioned circumstances, BNNRC set up a Community Radio Academy in Dhaka.
This helps Community Radio stakeholders having on-hand training of technical and management skills,
coming to know about the function, management, procedure, problem, prospect and sustainability of
the Community Radio as a tool of ICT and having all concerned resources and facilities available for
their progress and success.

Around the world and also south Asia community radio plays a vital role in overcoming political apathy
by providing people with access to information about their local and national leaders. Empowered with
this information, citizens can start to fight endemic corruption, developing methods to hold
government officials accountable for their actions.
In this way, radio not only informs people about government failure, but it also provides the vehicle
though which to work for positive political change. Because radio is a personal medium that speaks a
local language, it also presents information about health problems and other community issues. For
example, radio has proven an effective tool for teaching local populations about HIV/AIDS and
combating the powerful social stigmas associated with this disease. Effective community radio
programming helps to stimulate community discussion about attitudes and beliefs, and promotes
behavior change.
Bangladesh has gone a long way towards creating an enabling environment for launching Community
Radio. The Government has opened frequency for FM stations and satellite channels. It has also
drafted the Bangladesh Broadcasting Act in 2003 with the aim of addressing social and economic
issues.
It is a vital moment when Community Radio is going to make an important place in the
communication field in the country. The last non-political Care Taker Government formulated
Community Radio Installation, Broadcast and Operation Policy – 2008 on 12 March this year and gave
an advertisement on 18 March in the newspaper asking applications from interested initiators to install
Community Radio in the country.
Strength of the Policy
The present Government certainly deserves appreciation for approving a separate and exclusive
Community Radio Installation, Broadcast and Operation Policy – 2008, which will accelerate
democratic process and development of the unheard and marginalized people. Moreover, broadcasting
local development news and advertisements related to development services along with other
infotainment programmes is permitted through community radio. The acceptance of the internationally
recognized and accepted fundamental principles of community radio in Bangladesh is positively
observed. The most significant aspect of the policy is that all community radio stations will be owned
and run by the proper representatives of the concerned community as an advisory committee and
another management committee are mandatory with the real participation of the community people.
Policy Constraint
Considering the perspective of the non-profit development organizations working in rural and grass
root level, the amount of the seize-able deposit worth BDT 1, 00,000 seems to be a huge burden to
them. If not free, the deposit could be reduced remarkably so that the rural development
organizations could come ahead to install CRS pacing with time. Alternately, the licensing authority
can ask a bank guarantee of a certain amount of money as seize-able deposit preserved in the
account of the intended applicant organization. There is another involvement of a large amount of
money for frequency fee to be paid to BTRC. Considering all these practical difficulties, the
broadcasting equipments to be imported could be exempted from tax at least for the two years of
piloting period. It will promote and facilitate the expedition of community radio in the country.
National Help Desk
In order to facilitate the application and registration process of the organizations for Community
Radio, Bangladesh NGOs Network for Radio and Communication (BNNRC) immediately opened a
national help desk in its secretariat in Dhaka. As a result, BNNRC received huge response from the
interested development organizations for technical support in this regard. 400 organizations drew
application forms from the Ministry of Information and 180 applications have been submitted from
different organizations in this regard.
In the whole process the Government ensured the proper participation and representation from civil
society organizations through incorporating representatives in Regulatory Committee, Technical
Committee and National Monitoring Committee for the successful operation of the Community Radio.
In the category of expert representative, Government by the Presidential order nominated AHM Bazlur
Rahman-S21BR, Chief Executive Officer of Bangladesh NGOs' Network for Radio and Communication
(BNNRC) as a member of the central monitoring committee headed by Director General of Bangladesh
Betar (Radio).
Community Radio Academy
Under the above-mentioned circumstances, BNNRC set up a Community Radio Academy in Dhaka.
This will help Community Radio stakeholders having on-hand training of technical and management
skills, coming to know about the function, management, procedure, problem, prospect and
sustainability of the Community Radio as a tool of ICT and having all concerned resources and facilities
available for their progress and success.
So that NGOs/CBOs and communities can prepare themselves for the ensuing challenges in operating
Community Radio effectively by accommodating the use of limited resources to reach mass people
including rural and disadvantage people. Moreover this academy will help academia, researchers,
government officials, media activists, community leaders and policy makers to understand and work
closely for the promotion and positive role of community radio for the advancement of Bangladesh in
various development sectors.
Objectives of the Academy:
BNNRC has set up Community Radio Academy as one of its social enterprise to promote Community
Radio installation, broadcasting and operation around the country. Its other objectives are

- To Promote the Effective use of Community Radio for Development;

- Take all measures for essential improvement of community radio broadcasting; Foster
exchange between community radio broadcasters using communications to develop greater
understanding in support of peace, tolerance, democracy and development.
- To organize seminars, workshops and other motivational program associated with community
broadcasting; establish contact with other similar national and international organizations for
promoting mutual benefit and understanding;
- To advocate for the higher-level, strategic policy linkages between community media support
and existing human and economic development instruments and frameworks (eg, Poverty
Reduction Strategy (PRS); Millennium Development Goals (MDG) ), UNESCO Universal
Declaration on Cultural Diversity, Convention on the Rights of the Child(CRC) and World
Summit on the Information Society Action plan (WSIS).
- To offer an extensive web-based platform of resources/ contents for community broadcasting
professionals, Advise the Government and Policy makers on any matter relating to community
radio and development; assist in the setting up of community radio with technical and
professional expertise and as well as in securing funds;
- To strengthen networking among community radio stations, community radio promoters and
independent community radio producers, and to facilitate exchange of radio programmes
among them; assist communities in establishing community radio in different geographical
areas keeping in mind the linguistic, cultural, ethnic and social diversity;
- To strengthen capabilities of established community radio stations with professional and
technical assistance; organize periodic trainings for community radio producers and
technicians; identify appropriate places, from technical and resources points of view, for
encouraging establishment of radio stations;
- To disseminate research on the role of the community media in economic growth
democratization and institutional reform process
- To produce manuals and reference materials in community radio, undertake community radio
audience research/studies; active in lobbying and advocacy in order to mould public opinion in
favor of making Community Radio Trust Fund that are conducive to the growth and expansion
of community radio;
- To establish and promote contacts with like-minded international organizations for world
solidarity in favor of promotion of community radio broadcasting.
BNNRC has already established Community Radio Academy (CRA) in its national secretariat in Dhaka. All the
activities are implementing under three unites namely Research and Development, Capacity Building and Technical
Cooperation of the academy. The academy will take necessary steps for arranging the following training courses,
workshops and research works effectively
a) Research and Development:
Research and development activities on challenges and prospects of Community Radio operation in Bangladesh
including baseline survey, policy advocacy, evaluation and monitoring, feedback, listeners’ survey, publishing
newsletter, publishing Community Radio handbook, library and archive, Community Radio based web portal and
case studies on success and failure of Community Radio will be accomplished.

b) Capacity Building:
8 basic and 8 advanced training courses will be arranged for about 240 Community Radio staff working across the
country. 12 advocacy workshops, each in every month, will be arranged in center point in regional level with policy
makers and stakeholders. An annual Community Radio conference of the stakeholders of all community radio
stations located at different regions in Bangladesh will be arranged in Dhaka. Moreover, experience sharing,
exposure trip, radio producing contents of program, news and talk show, capacity building training on program
production, editing and presentation, support to budgeting and planning, broadcast management and schedule
scripting will be arranged.

c) Technical Cooperation:
Technical support for studio set up, maintenance and broadcasting, schedule exchange, exchange visit, helps desk,
trouble-shooting, national and international communication. Publishing four Reports

National Baseline Survey and Directory on Community Radio Initiators in Bangladesh

Bangladesh NGOs Network for Radio and Communication (BNNRC) is going to conduct a national
baseline survey on Community Radio in the country. Moreover, a directory of the community radio
initiators in Bangladesh will be published soon from Community Radio Academy.
But, no survey or study was conducted in Bangladesh to identify the community choice, needs and
demands about the language earlier, contents, broadcasting hour or types of programs to be used for
community radio. In this situation, the aspirants and initiators of the community radio stations are
actually in a total darkness about these immensely needed issues regarding community radio
operation.
That is why BNNRC will conduct a national baseline survey of the community information needs,
preparedness, acceptance and community choice through representational response, questionnaire,
focus group discussion and taking interview in ten proposed areas priority areas for community radio
set up selected from six divisions in the country. The survey report will be published and disseminated
among the key stakeholders of community radio through arranging a national seminar in Dhaka.
Moreover, to strengthen a network and knowledge sharing among the community radio initiators, a
directory of the community radio initiators in Bangladesh will be published incorporating mailing
address, contact numbers, e-mail and web address. This directory will be disseminated among the
community radio stakeholders including community radio staff, Government and non-government
institutions, academician, donor agencies and policy makers.
Training Workshop on Community Radio: How to Get Started and Keep Going

Bangladesh NGOs Network for Radio and Communication (BNNRC) along with other likeminded
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. As a consequence, investigation by four
Government intelligence wings is working in the field level to find out required integrity, quality and
legal status of the CR initiators.
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.
First and Second Sessions: Key Concept and Guideline of Community Radio and Community
Radio Policy in Bangladesh and statutory Requirements to Operate the Community Radio
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, and framework 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 Bangladesh.
Session 3: Community Radio Technology
Technical Expert of Community Radio Academy 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, in-door 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 in Community Radio Operation
At the fourth working session, Consultant of BNNRC 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 Community Radio
Academy.
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 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 Community Radio Academy.
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.

Community Radio to give voice to the voiceless people

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”.

National Workshop on Community Radio in Bangladesh: Community Radio is going to be the

Voice of Rural people

For the first time in Bangladesh a national workshop on Community Radio Awareness is held on 02-04
March 2008 at Bangladesh Open University (BOU) campus jointly arranged by Bangladesh NGOs
Network for Radio and Communication (BNNRC) and Development Research Network (D.Net) in
collaboration with Commonwealth Educational Media Centre for Asia (CEMCA) of Commonwealth of
Learning (COL) and Bangladesh Open University (BOU). The workshop took place at the Media Centre
in Bangladesh Open University at Gazipur, Dhaka.
The workshop is inaugurated by the Hon'ble Vice Chancellor of Bangladesh Open University Professor
Dr. M Farid Ahmed. He said during the inauguration, ‘Our day to day life is now highly influenced by
the technology. And this particular workshop is going to contribute a big stake in the social and
economic development of Bangladesh.

Ms. Rumkini Vemraju, the Programme Officer of CEMCA and Mr. Firoj Ahmed, Joint Director of BOU
jointly supervise the workshop for the whole three days.

Dr. Rumkini in the inaugural ceremony said, ‘CEMCA is working closely with more than 30 Community
Radio Station in India.’ She shared the experiences of India and stated to contribute in Bangladesh in
relation to community radio.

As the special guests Mr. AHM Bazlur Rahman-S21BR, the Chief Executive Officer of BNNRC and Mr.
Dr. Ananya Raihan were present in the inaugural session. They expected in their speeches that CEMCA
and BOU will contribute endlessly in emergence of Community Radio in Bangladesh.

Higher officials from the Media Centre and the Regional Directors of BOU as well as the Higher officials
of the NGOs that are working in the remote and coastal areas of Bangladesh have participated in the
workshop.

The participants from the commercial phone companies who have established the internet outlets in
the rural areas in Bangladesh have also joined. In the workshop the technical aspects and content
making, studio designing and maintaining, radio station management and broadcasting everything is
taught with tremendous care and practical demonstration.

Mr. Amit Chakrabarty, the former high official of the very popular Bangla TV Channel of India ‘Tara
Bangla’ and Programme Director of World Space Radio, Mr. Monoranjan Das, the advisor of Radio
TOday and the former Additional Chief Engineer of Bangldesh Betar and the consultant of ABC Radio
Mr. Jamal Uddin Mawla Newaj have facilitated in the workshop. The perspective and Social aspects of
the Community Radio is demonstrated by Mr. AHM Bazlur Rahman-S21BR, the CEO of BNNRC.

At the end of the three-day workshop the certificates have been distributed among the participants in
the gala closing ceremony. Honourable Vice Chancellor and the Treasurer of Bangladesh Open
University were present among others in the closing ceremony. Mr. Vice Chancellor said in his closing
speech that BOU would support in the skill development of the station managers of forthcoming
Community Radio in Bangladesh in future.

The workshop expected that the government of Bangladesh would soon open up the pilot basis
Community Radio. As the direct result of the workshop the participants are now prepared to run more
than 50 CR stations no sooner have the government approve it.

Dhaka Roundtable on Ensuring Sustainable Growth of Community Radio in Bangladesh:

Removing barriers, Increasing Effectiveness

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.

World Association of Community Radio Broadcasters (AMARC) Asia Pacific, in collaboration with
Bangladesh NGOs Network for Radio & Communication (BNNRC) and Mass-line Media Centre (MMC)
organized the roundtable with the support of UNESCO-Bangladesh and KATALYST.

They also said, Community Radio in Bangladesh shall be a step forward to achieve the Millennium
Development Goals through successful implementation of the PRS (Poverty Reduction Strategy) and
annual development plans of the Government. It will take us ahead to bridge the information gap
existing between the rural info-poor and info-rich people in Bangladesh and towards developing a
knowledge-based information society
from grassroots to national level and from national to grassroots level.

Chaired by Abdul Muyeed Chowdhury, Ex Advisor of the Caretaker Government, the inaugural session
of the roundtable was attended by Dr. Malama Meleisea, Director and Representative, of UNESCO in
Bangladesh, K.A.M. Morshed, Assistant Country Director, UNDP, Christine Jaulmes, Chief of
Communication and Information Section of UNICEF Bangladesh, Steve Buckley, President AMARC
International, Ashish Sen, President, AMARC Asia and Pacific, Prof. M Monjur-E-Khoda Tarafdar,
Registrar, Bangladesh Open University, as special guests.

In the inaugural session Mr A H M Bazlur Rahman, CEO of BNNRC presented welcome speech and
inaugurated the roundtable. In the inaugural session, Steve Buckley, President of World Association of
Community Radio broadcasters (AMARC) International presented key note paper on ‘Global overview
of community radio sector’ and Kamrul Hasan Monju, Executive Director, Mass-line Media Centre
(MMC) presented paper on ‘Review of the Community Radio policy of Bangladesh: Opportunities
and challenges’.

In the first plenary session on “Community Radio for Facilitating Economic Development and Poverty
Alleviation” Ashish Sen, President, AMARC Asia and Pacific and Executive Director of VOICES, India
presented paper while Monjurul Ahsan Bulbul, Executive Editor, Daily Sangbad was in the chair.

Pranab Saha, Chief Reporter of the daily Prothom-Alo, Arifa Sharmin, Communication Officer of
UNICEF, Syed Tamjid Ur Rahman, Chief Executive Officer, and Change Maker addressed the session as
speaker.

Taleya Rehman, Executive Director of Democracy Watch presided over the second plenary Session.
Dr. Kaberi Gain, Assistant Professor of Mass Communication and Journalism Department of Dhaka
University presented paper on ‘Gender Equity and Women’s Rights in the context of Community Radio:
Inclusivity in Community Broadcasting’. Tahmina Rahman, Country Director of Article 19 addressed
the session as speaker. Steve Buckley, President AMARC International presented paper on Assessing
Impact of Community Radio in the third session while Ashish Sen, President, AMARC Asia and Pacific
and Executive Director of VOICES, India was in the chair. Shahidullah Lipon, Professor, Media studies
of Daffodil University, S M Shameem Reza, Assistant Professor of Mass Communication and Journalism
Department, University of Dhaka, and Executive Director of Dwip Unnayan Sangstha (DUS) Md.
Rafiqul Alam addressed the session as speakers.
Raghu Mainali, Coordinator of Community Radio Support Centre, Nepal and Vice President of AMARC
Asia-Pacific presented paper on ‘Business plan for sustainable growth of the Community Radio Sector’
in the fourth session while Suman Basnet, Regional Coordinator; AMARC Asia Pacific was in the chair.

Prof Shahab Enam Khan, Project Director, Bangladesh Enterprises Institute and A H M Sultanur Reza,
Deputy General Manager, Fiber Optic Network, Grameen Phone addressed the session as speaker.

Dr. Malama Meleisea, Director of UNESCO in Bangladesh moderated the closing session on Setting of
priorities for the next two years – a collaborative plan for development of CR in Bangladesh. Former
Chairman of BTRC and Secretary Syed Margub Morshed, President of Centre for Development
Research Bangladesh Dr. Mizanur Rahman Shaeely, Chairman of FNB Dr Md. Ibraheem and Human
Rights Expert Akram Hossain Chowdhury addressed the session as panel discussants.

About one hundred representatives from Government, media, academia, NGOs, policy–makers,
research organizations and private sectors of home and abroad took part in the roundtable.
Community Radio Services in Election Manifesto of Bangladesh Awami League NINTH
PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS-2008: A Charter for Change

Awami League President Sheikh Hasina (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.

19.1 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.

Community Radio: Voices of the Rural People-Putting Community Radio First for Digital
Bangladesh

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.
Community Radio Handbook @ the speaker of Bangladesh Parliament

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.

Two Days Hands on Demonstration about Community Radio in Bangladesh

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.

Training workshop on Community Radio: Operation, Management and Sustainable Planning

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, Barisal
Bangladesh Scouts, NHQ, Gazipur Dhaka
BRAC
BCDJC
Krishi and Samajik Unnayan Songstha, Mymenshing
TMSS, Bogra
South Asia Partnership- Bangladesh (SAP- Bangladesh)
Young Power in Social Action (YPSA), Chittagong
CDA, Dinajpur
D.Net, Dhaka
COAST Trust, Bhola
Come to Work, Dinajpur
Pirojpur Gono Unnayan Society, Perojpur
LDRO, Bogura
Srijoni Bangladesh,
POPI,
CCD Bangladesh, Rajshahi
Sankalpa Trust, Barguna
Proyas Manobik Unnayan Society,
MMC,
Gono Unnayan Kendro, Gaibandha
Kiraro No Ki, Kurigram
RDRS,
Dwip Unnayan Songstha, Noakhali
Jugantor Somaj Unnayan Songstha, Chittagong
Samadhan, Sylhet
NHRDA, Noagaon
Nolta Hospital and Community Health Foundation, Satkhira.

MR. Shamim Ahsan, the Communication Officer of UNESCO, was also present in the closing session.

For more information:

AHM Bazlur Rahman-S21BR

Chief Executive Officer
Bangladesh NGOs Network for Radio and Communication
&
Member, Strategy Council
United Nations -Global Alliance for ICT and Development (UN GAID)

House: 13/1 Road:2 Shamoli Dhaka 1207

Phone: 9138501, 9130750
www.bnnrc.net