[WSIS CS-Plenary] Regarding Community Radio Approval process in Bangladesh

[BNNRC]

Dear Madam/Sir, 
Greetings from Bangladesh NGOs Network for Radio and Communication(BNNRC).

The Government has formed three committees namely National Regulatory Committee, Central Monitoring Committee and Technical Sub-committee to take necessary steps in sorting out, selection, approval and monitoring of the applications and community radio operations. 
In the category of expert representative, Government by the Presidential order appointed  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),  Other members of the committee are Director General of Mass Communication Department, Deputy Secretary (Radio) of the Ministry of Information, Deputy Director General (News) of Bangladesh Betar, Chief Engineer of Bangladesh Betar, representative of Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC), and Deputy Director General (Program) of Bangladesh Betar.    

Technical sub-committee will sort out the applications for community radio. After sorting out the applications, recommendations will be sent to the National Regulatory Committee. After approval of the recommendations of the regulatory committee in a high-level body, broadcasting permission for community radio will be given. The Central Monitoring Committee will monitor the broadcast and program of the community radio after starting their operation.  

Moreover, Central Monitoring Committee will observe whether conditions mentioned under 6 and 7 article of Community Radio Installation, Broadcasting and Operation Policy-2008 are properly followed and maintained. It will monitor if any violation of the clauses stated in article 5 of the policy regarding technical structure of Community Radio stations occurs. This committee will send an overall monitoring report, one in every three months, to the Ministry of Information under the provision of article 8.7 of the policy. 

About 400 Government and non-government development organizations took application form from the Ministry of Information for the permission of setting up community radio for the development of the rural and marginalized people in Bangladesh. 180 applications have been submitted by the last date 30 April. 

BNNRC feels deep urge to 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.

BNNRC will set up Community Radio Academy as one of its social enterprise to promote Community Radio installation, broadcasting and operation around the country: Purpose of Community Radio Academy are;

To Promote the Effective use of Community Radio for Development; Take all measures for essential improvement of community radio broadcasting; To organize seminars, workshops and other motivational program associated with community broadcasting;To establish contact with other similar national and international organizations for promoting mutual benefit and understanding;To Advise the Government and Policy makers on any matter relating to community radio and development;

Thank you very much for your nice support regarding Community Radio promtion in Bangladesh.

With best regards,

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.net, bnnrc at bd.drik.net
www.bnnrc.net
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