An orientation was held at COAST Trust Auditorium, Dhaka on Saturday, 16 November, 2013 for 16 new initiators, who primarily received the approval to set up Community Radio Installation, Broadcasting & Operation (subject to having security clearance) in different parts of the country.
The program was organized by Bangladesh NGOs Network for Radio and Communication (BNNRC) with support from of Free Press Unlimited and European Union.
Mr.AHM Bazlur Rahman, CEO of BNNRC facilitated the orientation workshop. Through a presentation, he has described the present situation, the purpose and objectives of community radio, its challenges and the differences with other types of radio. He has also mentioned of different types of cooperation that BNNRC could offer in developing the community radio sector of the country.
Mr.Kamaruzzaman, Program Coordinator of BNNRC described the next steps for the new initiators. He told those steps as “preparatory process” for CR installation. The participants’ queries were met up by a lively and interactive question & answer session.
Senior Officials from 15 organizations [out of the approved 16] joined the orientation. The representing organizations were: Nazrul Smriti Sangsad(NSS),Aparajeyo Bangladesh,Bangla-German Sampritee(BGS),Institute for Development Affairs(IDEAS),Karmajibi Nari,Patuakhali Development Organization(PDO),Coastal Association for Social Transformation(COAST Trust),Program fro Eco Social Foundation, Voluntary Association for Rural Development(VARD),Bandhan Society,Pragati (peoples) Research on Grassroots ownership and traditional initiative,Barendra Unnayan Prochesta,SaJag(Samaj o Jati Gathan) & SKS Foundation.
Participants were awarded certificates of participation by BNNRC. The Help desk based at BNNRC Office in Dhaka is supporting the applicants for 28 days and 672 hours since the call for application on August 21, 2013 by the Ministry of Information. During the time around 100 organizations and 187 individuals were provided information related to community radio set up and application process.
BNNRC has published an Advertisement on Prothom Alo, the largest Circulated Bangla Dainik, as supportive to government. Announcement and later sent leaflets and e-mails to press clubs and other organizations outside Dhaka. As part of this BNNRC has organized a workshop with interested applicants/initiators on last September 11,2013 at IDB Auditorium under the supports of Free Press Unlimited.