Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) celebrated World Telecommunication and Information Society Day 2009. A two-day national program was held on this grand occasion in Chittagong, Bangladesh on 17th May, Sunday, 2009.
World Telecommunication and Information Society Day (WTISD) is celebrated annually on 17 May since 1969 to raise the awareness of the people regarding various aspect of ICT. The event was celebrated in Chittagong this year.
The theme of this year was “Protecting Children in Cyberspace”. To popularize the concept in building awareness and to ensure youth participation, Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) chalked out an elaborate program for two days (17 - 18 May ‘09).
Keeping “Digital Bangladesh” and “Vision 2021″ in view, the observance of WTISD-09 comprised of an ICT based exhibition, Seminar, ICT classes and various online/offline competition at IEB, Chittagong. The purpose of this event was to encourage the citizen of Bangladesh for contributing in building ICT based nation. The idea was to connect the unconnected and to bridge the gap between lighted and unlighted in the field of ICT related knowledge.
Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) chose Chittagong, the Commercial Capital of the country, to host the first-time national level observance of World Telecommunication and Information Society Day 2009.
Demonstration of a full-functional Community Radio Station took place at the program venue, Engineers Institution Bangladesh, Chittagong center on the eve of World Telecommunication and Information Society Day 2009 during the two days program.
The regulatory body for telecom affairs in Bangladesh, Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC), entrusted Bangladesh NGOs Network for Radio and Communication (BNNRC) to demonstrate a Community Radio station during the program. It can be worthy to mention here that this demonstration of Community Radio Station is the first of its kind in Bangladesh.
Participants of all walks of the society, particularly honorable ministers, members of the parliament, elected representatives of various tier of local government system, academia and students, civil society members, print and electronic media, corporate sector representatives as well as common people came across the basic features of Community Radio Operation through this program.
It is also important to point out here that the present ruling party, Bangladesh Awami League, in its election manifesto 2008 (A Charter for Change, point 19.1) confirmed the policy and programs of establishment, broadcasting and operation of Community Radio Stations in Bangladesh.
The process of scrutinizing and verification of the applications received by the Ministry of Information is now going on in the Ministry of Home affairs.
Bangladesh NGOs Network for Radio and Communication (BNNRC) acknowledged the generous support from Article 19 Bangladesh regarding successful implementation of this event.