A two days long training workshop on Right to Information is inaugurated on 23 June 2021 virtually at Community Radio Lokobetar station, Barguna, Bangladesh jointly organized by Community Radio Lokobetar and Bangladesh NGOs Network for Radio and Communication (BNNRC) with the support of Friedrich Naumann Foundation (FNF).
The objectives of the training are to animate all stakeholders to fill the laps and gaps related to Right to Information and equip them to serve for the community interest in line with good governance through sensitize and engage both urban and rural stakeholders and other relevant actors to improve their readiness, protect rights and empower them to address this limitation immediately towards ensuring the easy access to information of the marginalized people and make their life and livelihood functional.
In his speech, hon’ble Chief Information Commissioner (CIC) H.E. Mr. Martuza Ahmed described the importance of “Right to Information Act – 2009” in our daily life, his practical experience and the journey of Community Radio in Bangladesh. He expressed that this training workshop will help to make the community aware and elevate them to follow the procedure to get information towards accountability and transparency in the development intervention initiating by the government.
In his speech, Mr. Habibur Rahman, Deputy Commissioner, Barguna has narrated the situation of “Right to Information” of Barguna. He also described some impacts and progress of Right to Information in citizen lives specially to prevent child marriage including ensuring the service related to government safety nets. He thanked to Community Radio Lokobetar, BNNRC and FNF for organizing such appropriate event to steer up the marginalized hard to reach people of Barguna by mobilizing and animating the cross-sectoral groups for collective action. He highlighted that the “Right to Information Act. 2009 is for the people where everybody should to accountable to the people a s well as the community.
In his speech, Chief Executive Officer of BNNRC, Mr. AHM Bazlur Rahman expressed his gratitude to the Chief Guest remembering his support to promote Community radios in Bangladesh and continuous nurturing to make the community aware on Right to Information so that they can enjoy their entitlements offers by the government. He added that Right To Information Act 2009’ ensured the right of the people to get information legally and they do. No doubt it’s a good start but still to go further. Now is the time to make the community more aware to get the advantage of Right To Information Act 2009 towards developing their life and livelihood.
Media and RTI experts, Dr. Aliur Rahman and Mr. Amin Al Rasheed has facilitated the sessions of the day. The sessions were- what is information, why information, information is a civil right and possession, information and the marginalized hard to reach people, and the background of “Right to Information Act. 2009.etc.
A total of 26 participants representing from Government line departments, local government, Public representatives, NGOs, CBOs, teachers, pleaders, journalists, media activists, cultural activist and community radio broadcasters were participated in the dialogue.
