Community Radio based English Language learning has a great potential that reduces the gap between urban and rural settings of their families lives. English Language through Community Radio has become one of the most popular programs of the community radios in Bangladesh. Listeners’ numbers are increasing day by day; more than 300 English language trained rural teachers are now working with the Community Radio station as a resource broadcasters.
Bangladesh NGOs Network for Radio and Communication (BNNRC) has Piloted the project in one Community Radio station in 2012, then the project was replicated in another 4 community radio stations and finally the project have been replicating in all 17 community radio stations since 2015 with support from The American Center, Dhaka through American English Radio Project (AERP). AERP is making it easy for teachers and listeners to incorporate activities and practices into their lessons using 17 Community Radio station in rural Bangladesh
Gaylord College of Journalism and Mass Communication of University of Oklahoma in collaboration with United States Embassy in Dhaka and Bangladesh NGOs Network for Radio and Communication (BNNRC) is to host a five-week professional exchange on Community Radio from a Digital Foundation in the United States of America that includes a professional fellowship placement at an American small business organization.
Community Radio from a Digital Foundation is funded by the U. S. Embassy in Dhaka will inject Bangladesh Community Radio Broadcasters into working community radio stations in Oklahoma and associate them with one of the America’s leading universities. The program aims to provide professional experience and training that will nurture participants’ talent and prepare them for more responsible leadership positions in their organizations, communities, and society in general.
Five Community broadcasters from 3 Community radio stations along with Coordinator, American English Radio Project of BNNRC will avail the opportunity. The title of the program is “Community Radio from a Digital Foundation”. The program will be started on June 30, 2017 and concluded by August 04, 2017.
The American Center, Dhaka and Bangladesh NGOs Network for Radio and Communication (BNNRC) have invited applications for the fellowship from the 1st and 2nd piloted 5 community radio stations.
A total of 15 Community Radio Broadcasters have submitted their application and 5 participants from three radio stations were finally selected for the program through day long examination. Categorically 2 Station Managers, 2 producers and one local English Language teacher along with Coordinator, American English Radio Project (AERP) of BNNRC will participate in the Community Radio from a Digital Foundation program.
The participants are Ms. Shahana Parveen, Station Manager, and Ms. Ayesha Siddika Anu, Producer & Presenter, Community Radio Padma 99.2, Rajshahi, Mr. Mehedi Hasan, Station Manager, and Mr. Md. Kamruzzaman, Producer & Focal, Community Radio Pollikontho 99.2, Moulvibazar. Mr. Swapon Kumar Biswas, Facilitator, Community Radio Jhenuk 99.2, Jhenaidah and Mr. Mark Manash Saha, Coordinator, American English Radio Project (AERP) of Bangladesh NGOs Network for Radio and Communication (BNNRC)
Six member Bangladeshi Community Broadcasters will be pleased in professional placements with the Oklahoman community radio stations and will spend three weeks with these organization.
The first week of the program will be spend at both the placements and on the Gaylord Collage of Journalism and Mass Communication of University of Oklahoma campus where Bangladeshi Community Broadcasters will participate in lecture, discussion and practical session focused on the role of community media, media in society, strategic communication, leadership and management principles, social media developments, the media/government interface and media ethics.
The final week of the program will be spent in Washington, D.C. where Bangladeshi Community Broadcasters will visit the Bangladesh Embassy, media organizations and tour some of the cultural activities the city has to offer.
The English Language program through Community Radio project has recognized as Champions in UN World Summit on the Information Society (UN WSIS) Prizes 2017. This is a great opportunity, honor and recognition for the community radio in Bangladesh and as well as around the world in line with voices for the voiceless and voices to be heard.
Bangladesh NGOs Network for Radio and Communication (BNNRC) actively works to improve the recognition of the community electronic media sector [Community Radio, Community TV, and Community Film] in Bangladesh with support from Free Press Unlimited.
