The caretaker government in Bangladesh is likely to allow the much-demanded community radio stations to operate to increase people’s participation in the devolvement process of the country. To this effect the Government will give permission for launching of some community radio stations on pilot project basis and will consider granting those full-fledged licences on the basis of its findings.
Bangladesh NGOs Network for Radio and Communication (BNNRC) in association with different organisations and civil society groups had been negotiating with the government for a long time to open up community radio stations in Bangladesh. As a result of the strategic campaign, an eight-member high-level committee comprising government officials and representatives from Community Radio Advocacy Group has been formed by the Ministry of Information recently. Md Mahbubul Alam, Director General of Bangladesh Betar, was made convener of the committee.
The committee has submitted a concept note, guideline and a regulatory frame (draft) of Community Radio to the Secretary of the Ministry of Information.
AHM Bazlur Rahman, Chief Executive Officer of BNNRC, said community radio could play an important role in disaster management, gender equality, environment protection, anti-fundamental activities, early marriage prevention, child mortality, and awareness against dowry, agricultural development and many other important issues.
Terming community radio an assistance to development, he said it can play an effective role by broadcasting the news of lost children and details of the criminals, as it can disseminate information in the local dialect more quickly and effectively. During the post-disaster period, the media can play an important role by broadcasting the needs of the affected people, he stated.
(Source: The New Nation)
