Bangladesh NGOs Network for Radio and Communication (BNNRC)
BNNRC is a national networking body working for building a democratic society based on the principles of free flow of information, equitable & affordable access to Information and Communication Technology for Development (ICT4D) of remote & marginalized population. BNNRC is in special consultative status with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations. BNNRC is struggling for building a free, independent, and pluralistic community media of voices for the voiceless.

COVID-19 has disrupted lives and livelihoods of the communities in Bangladesh, the most densely populated developing country where 1,961 people are living per square kilometer with limited knowledge and health care services. So collective efforts are essential to overcome the pandemic threat. Since May 01, 2020, BNNRC has been mobilizing 17 functional community radios including two Online Visual community radios in Bangladesh. Addressing this, BNNRC has taken the initiative to animate CSOs, Government, health service providers, local markets, and communities through community radios for reinforcing combined and drastic initiative to keep community peoples’ daily life and livelihood functional.

Countries like Bangladesh where authentic service of information-flow is bit limited so most of the community people depend on words of people. Thus, the rumors, misinformation, disinformation and mal-information on COVID – 19 becomes a big concern that has been demotivating the communities easily. Besides, some social media users are also uploading mislead information and rumors in their accounts.

In this situation, community awareness is essential and the best option to protect rumors, misinformation, disinformation, and mal-information by broadcasting scientific explanation of COVID – 19 situations, precautionary steps, and available services to prevent Coronavirus contamination. Coordinated combine action could mitigate the risks and impact of this unprecedented crisis. Thus, community radios can play a vital role in building awareness of the rural communities as it becomes one of the popular and reliable media to the rural communities.

Hence, BNNRC has been implementing the project title, “COVID-19 Misinformation, Prevention and Health Campaign through Community Radios in Bangladesh” with the support of The American Center, US Embassy, Dhaka.

Project Goal:

Building awareness of the rural communities on COVID -19 pandemic through Community Radios in Bangladesh

Objectives:

• To animate CSOs, Government, health service providers and communities for reinforcing collective action
• To keep community people’s daily life normal and livelihood functional
• To mobilize further cooperation among government, CSOs, local market and communities’ response

The aim of the project is to organize a campaign on countering Misinformation on COVID – 19 and Adaptation of New Normal Situation by engaging CSOs, government, health service providers, and communities collectively.

Budget

30,974 US dollars

Timeline

May 20, 2020, December 21, 2020

Implementation Process

• Engagement of Community Radio, CSOs, local Corona Prevention Committee members and community people.
• Upgrading skills and knowledge of radio broadcasters on COVID -19.
• Monitoring and knowledge sharing
• Inclusion of social media

Project Inputs

1. Capacity Building of broadcasters
2. Organize 24 live phone-in programs facilitated by an experienced doctor.
3. Broadcast 18 radio episodes (magazine programs)
4. Broadcast 18 interviews of the local Corona Prevention Committee members
5. Develop and broadcast 10 Public Service Announcements (PSAs) and 6 radio spots
6. Develop and publish Case storybook on COVID – 19
7. Fortnightly program coordination and monitoring meeting with the broadcasters

Challenges

• Due to COVID – 19 pandemic, 60% Radio Broadcasters are staying at home. So the radios are run by only 40% of broadcasters.
• Local Corona Prevention Committee members are very busy with ongoing programs so it is hard to get them in radio programs.
• It is difficult to organize programs virtually due to poor internet services.

Contact-

Mark Manas Saha
Coordinator – BNNRC
Tel: +88 02 48116262 | +88 02 9101479 | +88 02 9138501
Cell: +880 1712144180
Email: mark@bnnrc.net