Bangladesh NGOs Network for Radio and Communication(BNNRC) is a National Apex Body on Community Media Development Working for Building a Democratic Society based on the Principles of Free Flow of Information, Equitable & Affordable Access to Information & Communication Technology (ICT) for remote & marginalized population.
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!