Bangladesh NGOs Network for Radio and Communication (BNNRC) is a national networking body working for building a democratic society based on the principles of free flow of information, equitable & affordable access to Information & Communication Technology for Development (ICT4D) of remote & marginalized population.

It gives our great pleasure to inform you that, we are planning to hold Bangladesh Community Radio Forum 2012 in February 2nd week.

The Bangladesh Community Radio Forum 2012 is going to organize by Bangladesh NGOs Network for Radio and Communication (BNNRC) in collaboration with Ministry of Information, Bangladesh Press Institute and Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission [tbc].

Bangladesh NGOs Network for Radio and Communication is promoting the advocacy with the government in relations to community radio with other organizations since its emergence from 2000. BNNRC has been addressing the radio access issue for over a decade, helping to bridge the information gap.

At the moment, positive and supportive condition is prevailing in our country. Because; Bangladesh Government has already acknowledged the importance of community radio and announced the Community Radio Installation, Broadcast & Operation Policy. Bangladesh is the 2^nd country in South Asia in formulating policy for Community Radio.

Meanwhile, for the first time, govt. has approved and provided license to 14 initiators to install Community Radio throughout the country. Till today 12 Community Radio stations has already started community broadcasting.  

The objectives of the Bangladesh Community Radio Forum 2012 are: To take stock of the Community Radio Movement in Bangladesh, To review the functioning of the Community

Radio stations with regard to their operational structure and their engagement with the communities, To understand the difficulties and issues regarding setting up of and running of Community Radio station in Bangladesh, Documenting best practices and success stories for sharing and learning; To provide an opportunity to all Community Radio stations to interact with each other and exchange knowledge with India and Nepal experiences;

To provide an opportunity to interact with various Ministries of the Government, development partners and  UN bodies.

Bangladesh Community Radio Forum 2012 will bring a broad range of stakeholders including distinguished Member of Parliament (MP), Policy–Makers and Representatives from Government, Media, Community Radio Initiators, Staff members of Community Radio Stations, academicians, NGOs, Private sector and experts from home and abroad.