An advanced level 3-day national training workshop has begun 25 November on Community Radio Continuous Improvement Toolkit (CR-CIT) at IDB Bhaban, Dhaka aiming to improve and strengthen the internal governance of Community Radio stations in Bangladesh.
The Toolkit has been initially developed by UNESCO Chair on Community Media and his team at Hyderabad University, in cooperation with Commonwealth Educational Media Center for Asia (CEMCA) which will be validated and customized in relevance to Bangladesh context by the inputs from the community radio practitioners through this workshop. A total of 32 Community Radio senior level staffs of the 16 CR stations attended the training workshop from all over the country.
The workshop has been jointly organized by Bangladesh NGOs Network for Radio and Communication (BNNRC) & UNESCO Chair on Community Media under the financial and technical assistance of European Union, Free Press Unlimited and CEMCA/ Commonwealth of Learning.
Mr.Rafiqul Alam, Chairman, BNNRC Board of Trustee, Executive Director of Dwip Unnayan Sangstha (DUS) and the initiator of Radio Sagardwip presided over the opening ceremony of the workshop. The ceremony was graced by the presence of Dr.Vinod pavarell, hon’ble UNESCO Chair on Community Media, University of Hyderabad as a Special Guest Mr. Angkura Dutta, Program Officer, CEMCA/ Commonwealth of Learning. Ms. Reba Rani Saha, Joint Secretary- Radio, Ministry of Information, Mr.Kazi Akhtar Uddin Ahmed, Additional Secretary and Director General, Bangladesh Radio, renowned radio experts Mr. Kamal Ahmed and Faruq Faisal.
Mr.AHM Bazlur Rahman, CEO of BNNRC initiated the program by welcoming the participants. After a brief self-introduction of the participants, a video-documentary was screened on the present situation of community radio operation and programming.
Mr.Angkura Dutta, Program Officer, CEMCA thanked BNNRC and the UNESCO chair to organize such a validation program organized in Bangladesh and re-assured CEMCA’s continuous support to grow the community media sector in future.Mr.Kamal Ahmed of UN Radio and ex-correspondent of BBC, told that on the backdrop of increased uncertainty of big radio houses like BBC and Voice of America the quickest growth of community radio of Bangladesh has revolutionized the whole media landscape.
To retain this success, he has suggested the initiators to take care of the volunteer management, orientation on editorial issues and training aspects for the neo-radio professionals. Another Community Radio Specialist Mr.Faruqh Faisal, in his brief remarks, emphasized on ensuring the market access of the poor and grassroots community through effective programming of community radio. Community Radio has a great scope to restore peace in the society-he mentioned.
In his speech, Dr.Vinod mentioned community radio as an effective media for the voiceless community. He has acknowledged the role of community radio practitioners and a series of consultation process with the experts in formulating this toolkit. He recognized that the success in community radio growth of Bangladesh seems much higher than that of other South Asian Countries including India. He has emphasized on applying the toolkit in strengthening of the internal governance of community radio stations of Bangladesh.
Ms.Reba Rani Saha, Joint Secretary-Radio, Ministry of Information read out the written speech of the Secretary, Ministry of Information. The Secretary was scheduled to attend the program as Chief Program, that he had to cancel due to his joining in other important meeting on an urgent basis.Ms.Saha mentioned that Ministry will soon the new advertisement policy for community radio stations which will help them to take up some revenue generation efforts for their financial sustainability.
Mr.Kazi Akhtaruddin Ahmed, Additional Secretary and DG, Bangladesh Betar mentioned community radio stations as ally of public service broadcasting. Community Radios are playing complimentary role by reaching in the areas beyond the reach of Betar.He has told that community radios can play effective role in reformulating the social issues in a positive way. He assured to continue the Betar’s support by providing technical assistance in producing and broadcasting programs on different important development issues.
Finally, Mr.Rafiqul Alam, Chairperson thanked all and closed the opening session of 3-day training workshop. The session was facilitated by Mr.Shameem Reza, Associate Professor, Mass Communication and Journalism Department of Dhaka University.