No subject

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.=20

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 =96 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.=20

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 Bangladesh and statutory Requirements to =
Operate the Community Radio =20

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 Bangladesh.=20

=20

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.=20

=20

=20

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.=20

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.=20

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.=20

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 Community =
Radio Academy.=20