Mr. Karunaratne Paranavithana
Hon’ble Secretary
Ministry of Mass Media and Information
Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka
Elvitigala Mawatha,
Colombo 05 Sri Lanka
Sharing Solidarity for Support Extended by the Ministryof Media to re-strength Community Radio in Sri Lanka
Excellency,
Please accept our best compliments on behalf of the Bangladesh NGOs Network for Radio and Communication (BNNRC) Secretariat.
BNNRC actively works to improve recognition of the community electronic media sector [Community Radio | Community TV | Community Film] & its work in and involvement with the communities it seeks to serve in Bangladesh.
BNNRC represent the community electronic media sector to Government, Industry, Regulatory Bodies, Media, Academia and Development Partners from 2000. The BNNRC provides leadership and support for rural initiators to facilitate independent electronic community broadcasting services and to build and strengthen rural communities.
BNNRC is in Special Consultative Status with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations since 2010 & accredited with UN World Summit on the Information Society. The BNNRC regularly organizes high profile national events which showcase new developments in the electronic community media sector and brings together a diverse audience from the Community, Voluntary, Public and Private sectors.
At the moment, positive and supportive condition is prevailing in our country. Because; Ministry of Information, Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh has already declared the Community Radio Installation, Broadcast and Operation Policy 2008 and National Strategy for the Implementation of Community Radio Installation, Broadcast and Operation Policy in 2012.
Awami League President and Prime Minister H E Sheikh Hasina again reaffirming the Commitment in Election Manifesto 2014 of Bangladesh Awami League about community radio like more licenses will be given to launch community based radio stations in far off corners of the country. Bangladesh is the 2nd country in South Asia in formulating a policy for Community Radio and 1st country for Community Radio Strategy.
Now 14 Community Radio Stations are on-air in the country, aiming to ensure empowerment and right to information for the rural community. They are broadcasting altogether 120 hours program per day on information, education, local entertainment and development motivation activities. Around 1000 Youth Women & Youth are now working with those Stations throughout the country as rural broadcasters. Already the Community radio programs have been widely accepted among the local community.14 community radio stations presently covers more than 4.6 million listeners.
These programs are quite supportive to the activities reflected in 6th 5-year plan of Government of Bangladesh, UN World Summit on the Information Society (UN WSIS) Action Plan, and UN Millennium Development Goals (UN MDGs).
Congratulations on all the progressive steps being taken by the Ministry of Mass Media and Information of the newly elected government on declaring their guarantee on the independence of the press.
I learnt that Ministry of Media and Information pledged its support for the Community Radio Consultation and the also of its support to strengthening Community Radio movements in Sri Lanka. I think this is a very progressive step towards breaking several years’ of silence that existed in Sri Lanka around community Radio.
Bangladesh have immensely learned about the potential of Community Radio, specially the success of Mahaweli Community Radio, in eradicating voice poverty and facilitating positive social change and development in Sri Lanka. It is unfortunate that the movement wasn’t ensured its sustainability in the recent past due to various reasons.
However, the promising collaboration of the Ministry with Sri Lanka Development Journalist Forum (SDJF), Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation (SLBC) and the Commonwealth Educational Media Centre for Asia (CEMCA), to host the consultation on Community Radio and to support future community Radio activities, gives us hope for the future of Community Radio in Sri Lanka.
While appreciating you and the Hon’ble Minister H. E. Gayantha Karunathilaka, I assure our fullest corporation, strategic support and solidarity for your efforts on this regard.
Wish you all the very best on your endeavors towards this.
Yours Sincerely,
AHM Bazlur Rahman
Chief Executive Officer| ceo@bnnrc.net
