to build and

strengthen rural
communities in line
with their hopes and
dreams & initiated a
process to explore the future
Research
of development cooperation
Md. Kamaruzzaman and the role of electronic
Edited by community media over the
Syed Kamrul Hassan
AHM Bazlur Rahman next 15 years in line with
Date of publication
August 2016
Sustainable Development
Design & Printing
Goal (SDG)
redline
Published by
Bangladesh NGOs Network for Radio
and Communication (BNNRC)
House: 9/4, Road: 2, Shyamoli, Dhaka 1207
Tel: +88 02 9130750, 9138501
PREFACE
Fax: +88 02 9138501-105 We are pleased to present Why Community Radio Matters in
Email: ceo@bnnrc.net Bangladesh according to the present status where we stand
Web: www.bnnrc.net
today & where we are going. We have tried to look at
community radio development in Bangladesh through the
lens of four areas Effectiveness, Sustainability, Innovation
Through the Generous Support from and People’s participation.
Bangladesh NGOs Network for Radio and Communication
(BNNRC) actively works to improve recognition of the
community electronic media sector [Community Radio,
Community TV, Community Film] & its work in & involvement
with the communities it seeks to serve from 2000.
 Total Population of Broadcasting area: 2,38,76,000
(23.876 million)
Total Listeners: 61 lac 80 thousand Around 6.180
2016
million (25.88%)

We are observing that our radio stations are now producing

quality content by ensuring the participation of rural
community and the people from different walks of life. The

2,38,76,000
TOTAL POPULATION OF BROADCASTING AREA
programs on disaster preparedness help millions of coastal
people to save their assets and lives.
The quality programs and the contents produced by rural
youth and youth women broadcasters have already earned
recognition by many institutions at home and abroad.
Among others we can mention the UN World Summit on the
Information Society (UN WSIS) Award 2016, Asia Pacific
Broadcasting Union (ABU) Award, UNFPA, UNICEF Meena,
PLAN International Bangladesh/BNNRC Girl Power, National
Population Award and so on.

25.88%TOTAL LISTENERS
We invite you to join in our STRUGGLE! We hope you are or

6.18
will become one of our future supporters for promoting
electronic community media in rural Bangladesh.
Finally my deep gratitude goes to all Community Radio
initiators, Community Broadcasters, Listeners, Ministry of
Information, Development Partners and all stakeholders who
are struggling with us for strengthening Community Media MILLION
in Bangladesh. TOTAL LISTENERS
We look forward to working with you to achieve our vision.

O1.
AHM Bazlur Rahman-S21BR
Chief Executive Officer
Bangladesh NGOs Network for Radio and Communication (BNNRC)
HOW MANY LISTENERS ?
 O2.

LISTE
N
O EA
8.58 H
Average 8.58 hours in a Week

RADI TO COMM
EEK
CH W UNITY
OURs
TUNING IN (PER WEEK)
HOW LONG ARE PEOPLE

Content on local issue.

Local News and weather forecast
Information on life and livelihood issues
Profession-wise content and information
Programs in own language/dialect
Own voice: Accessibility and participation -scope of opinion
sharing
Local Culture, songs,drama and Entertainment through
active engagement of local performers
Information on Local Communication and Market price
Information on employment opportunities/job market
Programs on Indigenous people’s life, culture and tradition
WHY DO THEY LISTEN ?

through their involvement.

Sense of Ownership
All broadcaster locally recruited
Listeners are feeling the contents are their own issues
Listener are benefitted from broadcasted program
O3.
O4. WHAT DO THEY LIKE ?
Morning
Noon
Afternoon
Evening
09
11
03
06
am-11 am : 4th prime time
am-03 pm : 5th prime time
pm-06 pm : 2nd prime time
pm-10 pm : Prime time
Night 09 pm-01 am : 3rd prime time
News & Information
Public Service Announcement
Agriculture Based Contents 3rd prime time
Primary Health Care 5th
pri
Reproductive Health me
ti
Education Based Program

m
e

e
Life & Livelihood Contents m

i
et
Women & Child Issues

rim
Entertainment based program

4th p
Radio Drama/Daily Soap
Programs on Income Generation & Opportunities

e time
Trafficking/Early Marriage
Phone in Program

2nd
rim
Youth Based Program (i.e. Job Information,

pr
m
Education, Entertainment)

i
os
et

m
ime
Disaster Risk Reduction, Climate Change & To
p
Weather Forecast
Nutrition Based program
Indigenous Community Based Program

O5.
History & Heritage
Family Planning Issues
English Language Program WHEN DO THEY LISTEN ?
O6. WHO IS LISTENING ?
WHERE ARE THEY
LISTENING FROM ? O7.
Youth & Youth Women
Labor
Adolescent
Women
Student
Local Small Shop/Tea Stall
Farmer
Residence During Travel Work Place Listeners Club
Child
Persons with Disableily
Fisherman
Rickshaw & Van Puller
Tea Shopper
Small Shop Keeper
Teachers Community

210
Local Administration

Per year
TRAINING RECEIVED ON
COMMUNITY BROADCASTING
O8.
O9. HOW MANY HOURS
BROADCAST ?
HOW MANY VOLUNTEERS ENGAGE:
YOUTH AND YOUTH WOMEN ?
11.
53.78%
945 Hours
broadcasting per week
YOUTH AND YOUTH WOMEN
46.22%

135 Hours
broadcasting Daily
Engaged 4000
MOST FAVORED RADIO
PROGRAM FORMAT
12.
people in programs daily
Magazine, Phone In, Radio Drama

10.
News, Local Song, Discussions
HOW MANY HOURS BROADCAST Features, Interview, Dialogue
PER WEEK FOR DALIT’S/
MARGINALIZES PEOPLES ?

14.15
489
HOW MANY PROGRAM
BROADCAST PER WEEK ?
13.
RADIO SARABELA

U P C O M I N G C O M M U N I T Y S TAT I O N S