World Press Freedom Day 2020: COVID-19: Challenges of Community Media to Ensure Free Flow of Information in the Crisis and Way Forward in Bangladesh. Pandemic COVID-19 Corona virus has been disrupted lives across the world, none of us is out of danger globally and locally. The mass media and journalism are facing same challenges like others.
People’s movement is limited and the circulation of printed newspaper was decreased due to proper distribution. Increased number of online readers significantly. Number of spectators of television also increased. The listeners are returned back to listen radio. The role of community media has been increased to fulfill the expectations of the listeners from any other time.
Community Radios of Bangladesh are broadcasting 76 hours awareness building campaign on COVID–19 by following the government orders and circulars, 31 guidelines of Honorable Prime Minister, information shared by Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control and Research (IEDCR), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), UNICEF and WHO. BNNRC has been exploring and sharing the update information and materials that needed by the radio stations.
17 community radio stations are broadcasting 165 hours awareness building programs daily on COVID–19. Radios are broadcasting- News, Hello Doctor, live phone in program, interview, radio spots, PSA including Bangladesh Betar PSA, songs, jingles, Kothika, Puthipath (Folk talent program), Drama, Magazine, and Radio talks etc. The program cover the contents- what is Corona, how to contaminate, symptoms of the patients, and advice for the patients, precautionary steps for preventing contamination, what is quarantine, home quarantine, service providers, and service providing agencies and service delivery points, the role of community people and hotline service information of government etc.
The community Radio Stations are also uploaded the radio programs on Facebook and You Tubes.
Under these circumstances we are observing 3rd May World Press Freedom Day 2020. The theme of the day is “Journalism Without Fear or Favour.” It calls for awareness on specific issues about the safety of journalists, their independence from political or commercial influence, and gender equality in all aspects of the media.
Considering the COVID-19 crisis in Bangladesh and across the world, BNNRC is planning to observe the World Press Freedom Day 2020 in a different manner. In observance of World Press Freedom Day 2020, BNNRC is going to organize an online discussion meeting on ‘COVID-19: Challenges of Community Media to Ensure Free Flow of Information in the Crisis and Way Forward in Bangladesh’. 17 community radio stations will broadcast special programs on 3rd May 2020.
Community Radio: Objective of the Broadcasting of the Program
The main objective of the program is to face challenge of Community Media to ensure free flow of information in the crisis of COVID-19 and Way Forward in Bangladesh. Undertake necessary measures to overcome through radio programs for prevention of COVID-19 and develop an effective coordination of Government and non-government organizations.
Awareness raising of community people about Coronavirus and reduce the prevalence of corona and animate Civil Society organizations (CSOs), Government, health service providers and communities for reinforcing collective action. Keeping community people’s daily life normal and livelihood function and Mobilize further cooperation among government, CSOs, local market and communities’ response and the role of community radio.
In the COVID-19 crisis period the community radios are required Government urgent and sincere cooperation with some incentive package for survival and non-stop broadcasting of program for COVID-19 prevention. Now it is the demand of all community radios and all other concerned. We are giving following proposals to the Government and local ammonization and elected representatives for consideration with urgent basis:
Upazila and District administration could buy airtime from Community Radio stations. Increase internet speed at community radio working areas and ensure uninterrupted electricity supply in the areas and mobile network to be strengthened.
The sponsors, donors, international organizations and Government Institutions are working for raising awareness for prevention of COVID-19 they should consider and provide priority to community radios for broadcasting of their campaign.
Local Members of the Parliament (MPs), Deputy Commissioner, Upazila Nirbahi Officer (Upazila Executive officer) can provide financial support to continue Coronavirus prevention campaign related activities.
Local Corona prevention committee members can participate spontaneously and provide online or phone in interview to the Community Radio Broadcasters on Corona prevention issues and latest status of the area and ensure bi-lateral cooperation with mutual understanding to intensify corona prevention programs.
In the COVID-19 crisis period the community radios stations are required Government urgent and sincere cooperation for taking financial support from Social Obligatory Fund (SOF). Bangladesh Telecommunications Regulatory Commission (BTRC) started raising the Social Obligatory Fund (SOF) in December 2012 by tapping 1 percent of mobile-phone operators’ income for connecting the unconnected rural people. Community radios stations bridging the information divide among rural and urban. The SOF, built with contributions from telecom operators, reached Tk. 1,411.90 crore in December 2018.