Bangladesh NGOs Network for Radio and Communication (BNNRC) is promoting the advocacy with the government in relations to community radio with other organizations since its emergence. The objective of BNNRC’s Community Radio intervention is to address crucial social issues at community level, such as poverty and social exclusion, empower marginalized rural groups and catalyze democratic processes and ongoing development efforts.
Community Radio is going to make an important place in development field in Bangladesh. Ministry of Information formulated Community Radio Installation, Broadcasting and Operation Policy 2008. Having prepared a complete pro-people policy for the first time in Bangladesh and 2nd policy in South Asia, the People’s Republic of Bangladesh has already been widely appreciated by local, national and international bodies.
In the meantime, Community Radio Academy has been established by Bangladesh NGOs Network for Radio and Communication (BNNRC) with a view to building up capacity on Community Radio operation of the initiators. Under the initiatives of the academy training workshops, round table, seminar etc are being organized incessantly.
According to the policy, National Regulatory Committee on Community Radio of Ministry Information sent 116 Community Radio applications to Home Ministry on 24 July, 2008 for police verification. The Home Ministry informed the Ministry of Information regarding no objection for establishment of 22 Community Radio Station after the investigation of DGFI, NSI, and SB.
At present, the reformation of National Regulatory Committee is going on under the Ministry of Information. After completion of this reformation National Regulatory Committee will give final approval to open up Community Radio in Bangladesh.