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BNNRC STRATEGIC PLAN

Bangladesh NGOs Network for Radio and Communication (BNNRC) specializes in approaches that leverage media and ICT, such as community radio broadcasting and ICT, to reach underserved communities through implementing the UN World Summit on the Information Society (UN WSIS) action line C1-C11 in Bangladesh since 2006. BNNRC has been registered with the NGO Affairs Bureau, Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh, since 2005.

The BNNRC, in Special Consultative Status with the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) and accredited by the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS), the SDGs Media Compact of the United Nations, and the UN WSIS prize winner 2016, Champion 2017, 2019, 2020, 2021, and 2022 for media development, ICT4D. This international recognition, a testament to our commitment and impact, is a source of pride and reassurance for our stakeholders.

BNNRC has strategically and confidently shifted its focus towards digital and online spaces, delving deeper into digital Development and digital localization since 2015. This strategic shift, a testament to our adaptability and forward-thinking has opened new possibilities and opportunities for us to make a difference. It inspires hope for a more inclusive and digitally advanced future. We have implemented several projects aligned with Internet Governance and Information Integrity for Advancing Media Development & Access to Digital Technology for Equitable Digital Inclusion and Human-Centric Digital Transformation.

BNNRC has been accredited by the UN Open-ended Working Group (OEWG) on the security of and use of ICT of the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA). BNNRC’s intervention is to increase knowledge and awareness of the Fourth Industrial Revolution and regularly inform policymakers and stakeholders about the rapidity and liveliness of its multifaceted impacts.

Since 2006, BNNRC has had the privilege of hosting the secretariat for the Bangladesh Internet Governance Forum, and from 2022, the secretariat of the Bangladesh Initiative for Unified Voices on the Global Digital Compact and the UN Summit for the Future 2024.

Currently, BNNRC’s digital development and Digital localization intervention-focused efforts fall into four main areas: CSOs responsibly integrating digital technologies across the practice of development, building open, inclusive, secure, and rights-respecting digital ecosystems, improving staff members of CSOs’ capacity to facilitate technology to meet rural people socioeconomic and livelihood needs and focusing on sustainable, inclusive, and human-centric digital transformation.

Bangladesh NGOs Network for Radio and Communication represents the community media sector to Government, Industry, Regulatory Bodies, Media and Development Partners.

Much of the BNNRC’s work has a strategic emphasis and the organization has been intensely involved in policy advocacy on behalf of the Community Media sector with Government, the regulator Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) and other strategic bodies regarding Policy on Community Radio & Broadcasting, Proposed Policy on Community Television, Community Radio Trust Fund, Amateur Radio Operation, Community Media Literacy, and Spectrum allocation.

BNNRC provides a range of advice, information and consultancy, offering support to anyone with an interest in the sector of Community Media through Building Capacity, Research and Development & Technical Cooperation.

Supporting Organization on Community Media like Community Radio, Community Television, Community Film, ICT for Development and Amateur Radio Operation currently exceeds around 250, bringing together established organizations, aspirant groups and individuals within the sector.

BNNRC is in Special Consultative Status with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations from 2010.

BNNRC is registered with NGO Affairs Bureau of Prime Minister’s Office and Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs, Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh as a Network and established in 2000 as per Article 19 charter of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights which states:

‘Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers.’

BNNRC’s outreach extends to local, national and international forums for communicating Knowledge for Development (KM4D). In this backdrop, communication is recognized as an essential human need and, therefore, as a basic human right. Our working strategies are:

  • Communicating on the Public Sphere: The role of communication and media in exercising democratic political participation in society
  • Communicating Knowledge: The terms and means by which knowledge generated by society is communicated, or blocked, for use by different groups.
  • Civil Rights in Communication: The exercise of civil rights relating to the processes of communication in society &
  • Cultural Rights in Communication: The communication of diverse cultures, cultural forms and identities at the individual and social levels.

BNNRC now strives for the following core interventions to contribute in achieving 7th five Years Plan of Government of Bangladesh, UN World Summit on the Information Society (UN WSIS) Action Plan, and UN Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs) through:

Community Media Development (Community Radio & Community TV Community Film) for amplifying voices for the voiceless

Right to Information (RTI) for ensuring improved livelihood of the marginalized

ICT for Development for Bridging the Digital Divide in rural areas

Amateur Radio or HAM Radio for Disaster Risk Reduction

Community Film for Social Transformation

BNNRC has been struggling for the last 20 years to open up the community media (including Community Radio, Community Television) and giving focus on its vital role as voices of the voiceless rural people. The reality of today is that the bondage between the community people and local-level community radio stations are getting strengthened day-by-day. Community Radio has now become their part of life and livelihood.

Now 18 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 157 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. 18 community radio stations presently cover more than 6.18 million listeners of 119 upazilla of 29 districts(partial).

BNNRC has already established the Community Media News Agency (CMNA), Community Media Academy (CMA) Community Radio Help Desk 24×7 and Monthly Community Media News Letter to share development news & building capacity for the Community Media sector in Bangladesh.

BNNRC is supported by contributions from different development organizations worldwide who share a commitment in building a free, independent and pluralistic community media of voices for the voiceless.

We have now started advocacy with the Government of Bangladesh to open up Community Television for Development. We hope that, community television will come into being within a short time in Bangladesh.

Looking forward a fruitful association with you in near future,We invite you to join in our STRUGGLE!