VOICES FOR CHANGE:Community Radio in Bangladesh- Creating Opportunities for Voices for Rural People
Radio for Edu in Bangladesh
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Transcript of Radio for Edu in Bangladesh
History of Radio in Bangladesh_
Bangladesh Betar (Bengali: বাং��লা�দে�শ বেবাংতা�র) or BB is the state-owned radio broadcasting
organisation of Bangladesh. It was also known as Radio Bangladesh between 1975 and 1996.
Radio transmission in the region now forming Bangladesh started in Dhaka on December 16,
1939. Initially, the station was located in old Dhaka. Later, the station was relocated to Shahbag.
It played an important role during the Bangladesh Liberation War of 1971. On March 26, 1971,
the broadcasting center of Radio Pakistan was used to transmit a declaration of independence,
which was picked up by a Japanese ship in the Chittagong Harbor and retransmitted. During the
war, it was known as Shwadhin Bangla Betar Kendro (Independent Bengal Radio Station). Due
to heavy shelling, the station had to be relocated several times, and ultimately moved to Calcutta
on May 25, from where it would broadcast until the end of the war. On December 6, it was
renamed Bangladesh Betar.
Today we have 10 radio stations running in Bangladesh. Those are_
ABC Radio (Bangladesh)
Bangladesh Betar
DHAKA FM 90.4
Radio 2fun
Radio Amar
Radio Dhaka
Radio Foorti
Radio Metrowave
Radio Today
RadioGoonGoon
Types of Radio_
FM (Frequency Modulation) Radio
Frequency modulation, FM is widely used for a variety of radio communications applications.
FM broadcasts on the VHF bands still provide exceptionally high quality audio, and FM is also
used for a variety of forms of two way radio communications, and it is especially useful for
mobile radio communications, being used in taxis, and many other forms of vehicle.in view of its
widespread use, frequency modulation, FM, is an important form of modulation, despite many
forms of digital transmission being used these days.
FM, frequency modulation has been in use for many years. However its advantages were not
immediately apparent. In the early days of wireless, it was thought that a narrower bandwidth
was required to reduce noise and interference. As FM did not perform well under these
conditions, AM predominated and FM was not used. However, Edwin Armstrong, an American
engineer looked at the use of wideband FM for broadcasting and introduced the idea against the
trend of the thinking of the time.
Since its first introduction the use of frequency modulation, FM has grown enormously. Now
wideband FM is still regarded as a very high quality transmission medium for high quality
broadcasting. FM, frequency modulation is also widely used for communications where it is
resilient to variations in signal strength.
FM, frequency modulation basics
The most obvious method of applying modulation to a signal is to superimpose the audio signal
onto the amplitude of the carrier. However this is by no means the only method which can be
employed. It is also possible to vary the frequency of the signal to give frequency modulation or
FM. It can be seen below that the frequency of the signal varies as the voltage of the modulating
signal changes.
Concept of frequency modulation
The amount by which the signal frequency varies is very important. This is known as the
deviation and is normally quoted as the number of kiloHertz deviation. As an example the signal
may have a deviation of ±3 kHz. In this case the carrier is made to move up and down by 3 kHz.
Community Radio
Community radio stations are community owned and operated entities that serve either localized
geographic communities or communities of interest, such as minorities, religious groups and
universities.
Community radio is unique because the stations are run by the communities themselves. They
are owned and managed by the people they serve. The management is usually a small team of
paid staff with the programming conducted by volunteers.
Unlike commercial stations, community stations are not allowed to run for profit. They must be
established as voluntary associations, not-for-profits or trusts. The station’s constitution must say
that any profit will be channeled into further developing the station. To ensure the stations are
not run for profit they are usually subject to strict advertising controls. Commonly the regulator
stipulates that advertising content ought to be capped to allow, for example, a maximum of five
minutes per hour of programming.
New stations often start with a public meeting. Members of a community (either geographic or
community of interest) come together as a working group to create a vision for the station, plan
programming and develop facilities.
Over time, more and more members of the community are recruited and trained (FETAC training
is available through) to help out behind the scenes, produce and present programmes reflective of
their community and experience.
100 day broadcasting licenses are secured from the BAI and as a track record is built with
regards to programming, operations, and community involvement, a multi-year licence becomes
available.
To operate full licenses, groups constitute themselves as cooperatives or limited companies with
no share capital, and a board is elected from the community to manage the station transparently
and with accountability in the interests of all.
Community Radio has the capacity to reinforce what is good about Irish Society and to help find
solutions to its failings. Community Radio facilities individuals, groups, and communities to tell
their own diverse stories, to share experiences, and in a media rich world to become active
creators and contributors rather than passive consumers. It presents a unique vehicle for the
community and voluntary sector, civil society, agencies, NGOs & citizens to work in partnership
to make a difference.
Community Radio offers-
rare and direct media access for all perspectives in our communities,
the potential for innovation inherent in non-profit, community owned and operated
media
Diversity in the provision of programming, especially where there would be
insufficient profit for the commercial sector and too much cost for the public service
sector.
Offers a resurgence of local media highlighting local issues, opinions and voices in
contrast to mainstream medias increasingly centralised content production.
The skills, resources and the opportunity to understand media by members of our
communities through actively participating in its creation and delivery.
a unique mechanism to engage with social exclusion by acting as a vehicle for outcome-
driven personal and professional training and development
a powerful tool in providing services and supports to communities, especially
disadvantaged and excluded communities.
the opportunity to promote democracy, human rights and sustainability.
a challenge to global media blandness in reinforcing local identities while acting as a
catalyst for integration and inclusion.
Public Broadcasting
Public broadcasting is broadcasting made for the public, funded by the public (through tax) and
controlled by the public (through parliament). The defining feature of public broadcasting is its
inclusiveness. Public broadcasting must be accessible to all and diverse enough to appeal to all.
Unlike state broadcasting, which serves the interests of the state, public broadcasting is uniquely
positioned to serve the public in all its diverse forms.
Further, public service broadcasters (PSBs) are protected from political and commercial
pressures, which positions them to best serve the public’s rights to freedom of expression and
freedom of information. This is why public broadcasting has such a crucial role to play in
democratic societies.
Defining features of public service broadcasting:
Accessible to all
Serving the public interest in all its shapes
Emphasis on quality, balance and impartiality
Provisions for minorities
Commitment to education of the public
Freedom to produce challenging and controversial programming
Independent from political and commercial interference
Forum for expression of national cultural identity
Independence of a public broadcaster is vital: independence for the board and editorial
independence for management. Securing independence means overcoming the prevailing
mindset among those in power that the airwaves belong to the state. MISA believes the
independence of a public service broadcaster in Swaziland will only be ensured if it is
guaranteed in law.
MISA is advocating for such a law to include the following:
- A description of the composition of the PSB board to ensure it is broadly representative
of the public and excludes office bearers with the state and people with financial interests
in broadcasting;
- A public and transparent board appointments procedure that minimizes political and
commercial interference;
- A stipulation that no one has a right to influence the work of the board;
- Editorial freedom for the PSB management;
- Accountability of the PSB is to the public through parliament, not an individual minister
or ministry;
- An adequate and secure funding mechanism that protects from arbitrary interference.
For more detail on public service broadcasting law see the Article 19 Model Public Service
Broadcasting Law under Law Reform.
MISA calls on the government to:
Enact legislation establishing a public broadcasting entity, recognizing its full
independence and public service mandate.
Conduct organizational restructure allowing the merger of television and radio with one
independent board to develop the organizational policy.
Allow editorial policies that capture the unique responsibilities of public broadcasting.
Ensure training of management and staff on the ethos and purpose of public broadcasting.
Secure a reliable funding mechanisms that will support program diversity and innovation.
Campus Radio
Campus radio (also known as college radio, university radio or student radio) is a type of radio
station that is run by the students of a college, university or other educational institution.
Programming may be exclusively by students, or may include programmers from the wider
community in which the radio station is based. Sometimes campus radio stations are operated for
the purpose of training professional radio personnel, sometimes with the aim of broadcasting
educational programming, while other radio stations exist to provide an alternative to
commercial broadcasting or government broadcasters.
Campus radio stations are generally licensed and regulated by national governments, and so have
very different characteristics from one country to the next. One commonality between many
radio stations regardless of their physical location is a willingness — or, in some countries, even
a licensing requirement — to broadcast musical selections that are not categorized as commercial
hits. Because of this, campus radio has come to be associated with emerging musical trends,
including genres such as punk and New Wave, alternative rock, indie rock and hip hop, long
before those genres become part of the musical mainstream. Campus radio stations also often
provide airplay and promotional exposure to new and emerging local artists.
Many campus radio stations carry a variety of programming including news (often local), sports
(often relating to the campus), and spoken word programming as well as general music. Often
the radio format is best described as a freeform, with a lot of creativity and individualism among
the disc jockeys and show hosts. A number of these radio stations have gained critical acclaim
for their programming and are considered by the community in which they are embedded to be
an essential media outlet.
Although the term campus radio implies full-power AM or FM transmission over the air, many
radio stations experiment with low-power broadcasting, closed circuit or carrier current systems,
often to on-campus listeners only. Some radio stations are distributed through the cable
television system on cable FM or the second audio program of a TV radio station. Some
universities and colleges broadcast one or more Internet radio feeds — either instead of, or in
addition to a campus radio station — which may differ in radio formats significantly from
licensed traditional campus radio.
Internet Radio
Internet Radio - Internet Radio describes a technical achievement which allows audio to be
digitized and split into small pieces for transmission across the Interent. The ultimate effect is to
create the illusion of "radio". The audio is "streamed" through the Internet from a server in one
location and reassembled on the listener's end by a software player on a computer or Internet
Radio receiver. Internet Radio is not really radio by the traditional definition but an incredible
simulation.
This term also describes the conglomeration of streaming audio which is available on the Internet
which can be listened to by using a software player or browser which supports streaming audio.
In another way, an audio broadcasting service that is transmitted through the Internet. Internet
radio is similar in nature to Internet broadcasting, also called webcasting. However, those
listening to the continuous stream audio broadcast have no control over the stream, similar to
traditional radio broadcasting. Many radio stations worldwide offer their broadcast via Internet
radio to a worldwide audience. Today dedicated hardware devices, commonly called Web radio
or Internet radio appliances , can be purchased that connect to a home network and then to the
Internet to play live audio streams. Internet radio is also called e-radio.
The benefits of an internet radio_
More station choice
An internet radio gives you access to more than FM or DAB digital radio, including some
foreign language stations.
Find new stations
The menus on an internet radio enable you search by different methods including by genre. So
you could search for all of the rock stations available and find new stations that play the types of
music you love.
Podcasts and BBC listen again
You can access podcasts from BBC and commercial stations and just as you might use listen
again on BBC iPlayer or Radio player on your computer, you can access listen again to shows
through an internet radio, too.
Music player/ media sharing
Most internet radios have a music player mode for streaming music from devices on your home
network.
If you keep your music collection on your computer at home you can use the radio’s screen to
choose music from your collection and listen using the radio's speakers.
Forget DAB reception
Internet radio works using your internet connection. It doesn't rely on getting a signal from a
transmitter the way DAB and FM do, so it doesn't matter if DAB reception is poor where you
live - you can get your digital radio fix via the internet.
Education System in Bangladesh
The education system and structure of Bangladesh has three major stages-primary, secondary
and higher educations. Primary education is a 5-year cycle while secondary education is a 7- year
one with three sub-stages: 3 years of junior secondary, 2 years of secondary and 2 years of higher
secondary. The private schools also receive strong financial support from the state. The tertiary
education (3-5 years) is provided through universities (31 public and 51 private universities) and
affiliated colleges under supervision of University Grants Commission. Establishment of private
universities has gained momentum in recent years. At all levels, students can choose the medium
of education from Bangla or English.
The Ministry of Education is the supreme state office for education which again is subdivided in
different directorates for each level while running numerous development projects (Education
Projects and Technical projects). According to the article 17 of the Constitution, all the children
of Bangladesh are supposed to receive full free education up to secondary level. Secondary and
higher secondary schools are affiliated under ten (10) education boards.
The boards administer two public examinations - one is the Secondary School Certificate
(SSC) Examination and the Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) Examination. The higher
secondary schools are known as colleges. There are also Madrasah (religiously inclined) and
English medium schools which are enrolled under Madrasah Education Board and Foreign
Education Board respectively. Besides this, a Technical Education Board has been established to
administer the vocational training schools at post-secondary level in Education Board.
The National Curriculum and Textbook Board is the authority to develop, approve and manage
the curriculum and text books for primary, junior, secondary and higher secondary level.
Government has also established Bangladesh Bureau of Educational Information and Statistics
(BANBEIS) which keeps educational information at all levels. Bangladesh Government has
published an Education Policy which is developed based on the inputs taken from different
education commissions over the years. There are also many non-profit organizations which
operate informal and semi-formal education for underprivileged children under supervision of
Bureau of Non-formal Education.
Linking Radio with Education
Due to potential diversity, the CR technology can most effectively be used for non formal
education for adult people, awareness programs, youth development programs, local community
knowledge sharing, recycling of knowledge, ethnic community preservation programs and in
areas, where density of population is sparse, where access to school is difficult like char (land
within a river) and hilly areas of the country and also isolated places because of less access to
road or other communication, and where access of qualified teachers are very few. Sweeney and
Parlato (1982, p. 13) stated, “Radio plays an effective educational role both as the sole medium
or in conjunction with print and group support".
So, Community Radio has a prospect for education expansion and community schools.
Community Radio can also help, develop and mobilize social capital. This technology is cheaper
too. For example, Interactive Radio Instruction (IRI) is a well-tested teaching and dissemination
method that is inexpensive, accessible and flexible. In Africa, Community Radio has speeded up
and expended the process of information exchange.
The second goal of MDGs is to achieve universal primary education. Education is the backbone
and foundation for a nation. This is one of the fundamental goals as Nobel Lauriat's Amarta Sen
argues, “Development is freedom and education is the royal road of freedom” (Daniel, 2006). As
most developing countries underscore its educational potential and importance, many writers
have proposed that educational radio can be most effective when supported by trained
facilitators, group learning, group discussion, feedback and the use of multimedia approaches,
thus interactive and independent learning help develop social software which is considered
essential for quality education. The dynamic potential of radio in motivating listeners to take
action, modifying behavior, and undertaking activities is evident in the literature thus far.
Distance Learning
Learning is the liberating force of human development and every individual has a right to
education. To serve the aforesaid considerations, ODL helps create democratization in education
for flexible learning system. In ODL, student centered teaching approach is used. Tutors and
learners are physically separated in the system, and distance education institutes usually use
technology like state-owned Radio and Television for a particular time to disseminate contents of
learning to the learners, which might not be effective and accessible to all distance learners due
to inflexible time allocation. Since CR is covering a limited geographical area and focusing on
the local needs, culture and social events, educational and academic programs can be
incorporated into the CR programs at any time of any location as it is more flexible than national
broadcasting.
In addition, distance education institutes have long experiences in using the technology of Radio
and TV. They can apply their experience for CR on segment base as well as programs base. Most
distance learning organizations generally have several outlets for tutorial or other instructional
services in distant and remote areas. Having their own infrastructures, these distant teaching
outlets could be turned into Community Radio Learning Centers (CRLC) for the open and
distance learning institutes and these stations can be worked as local facilitators for the academic
programs of both formal and non-formal education.
Anyanwk (1978 p. 15-16) mentions, "Through collective listening, discussion, and the use of
audio-visual aids, the radio can contribute substantially to the process of transformation of
agricultural traditions, as well as some social and economic attitudes in general". Radio has been
used extensively as an educational medium in developing countries like India, Sri Lanka,
Thailand, South Korea, Mali, Guatemala, Botswana, South Africa, Zambia, Uganda, Mexico,
Philippines and also proved its impact and efficiency in health, agriculture and other
development issues.
Open University
Radio-based educational opportunities are very much commensurate with the delivery system of
ODL. After 15 years of the establishment of the Bangladesh Open University (BOU), it has
accumulated huge resources in terms of technology and media oriented human resource and
infrastructures to put forward a new look to the Community Radio applications. Bangladesh
Open University needs to adopt the segment base strategies to provide education for all. The case
of Bangladesh is similar as to Louw’s (Paris, France 2007) statement, “.to ensure that
communities who have been denied access to resources, take part in producing ethical, creative
and responsible radio that encourages them to communicate with each other, to take part in
decisions that affect their lives, and to celebrate their own cultures".
The reason for establishing Bangladesh Open University nearly echoes Louw's statement as in
the Mission statement, of the BOU Act 1992 envisages that "the objectives of the University
shall be to expand all levels of education, knowledge and science by a diversity of means,
including the use of any communication technology to improve the quality of education and to
provide opportunities for education to the general public through mass-orientation of education
and to create efficient manpower by improving the quality of education in general".
To accomplish these goals of BOU mission statement, it is no denying the fact that BOU needs
immediate steps for adopting the Community Radio approach. In terms of preparation, BOU has
Media Centre fully equipped with the transmission equipment, full-fledged radio recording
studios, editing suites, portable radio recorders and modern radio broadcasting technology.
However, BOU has already sought the permission from the Government for having its own
frequency allocation.
Adult Education
About adult education Dhaka University VC Prof Arefin was highlighting on the role of mass
media in the socio-economic and the educational development of a developing country. His
message was that both the print and broadcast media can play a vital role in enhancing education
in a developing country. It can shape and create public opinion towards on related issues by
applying its strength and bring changes among individual.
Bangladesh is now in a state of “Media Expansion”, we have lot of TV and radio channels and
every day new channels are coming. Broadcasting media is the most common & popular media
in our country.
In the cases of developing countries, like Bangladesh, implementation of education fully depends
on appropriate use of broadcasting media technology. And the government as well as private
organizations are using Radio and television for meeting these demands.
A significant result has already been achieved in the field of mass education of Bangladesh by
using broadcasting media. All the TV and Radio channels present various educational programs
for the students. These programs become very popular in the country.
Bangladesh is now in a state of media expansion. A large number of people here depend on
newspapers and broadcast media for entertainment. But media also has an important educational
role: Adult students from rural even from city areas can take lesson from watching certain
television programs Like “BBC Janala”. They also can learn a lot of things listening to radio.
And almost every national daily, both Bangla and English, has its education page; they published
both institutional and general knowledge based reports for students.
Education is much more than going to schools and colleges, its purpose is to create awareness
among people. Mass media is providing this kind of knowledge outside of the schoolroom. Thus
it is playing a vital role in creating mass awareness both in rural and urban areas in our country.
Talked with IUB’s Student About Community Radio/
Campus Radio (CR)_
We talked with the students of IUB about CR that what can be done using CR for betterment of
community human life. We got different types of ideas. Some of those findings are shared
bellow_
Lectures can be recorded from classroom and then after editing it can be broadcast
through Campus Radio which will be helpful for the students who were not attending in
the class.
Different types of University related information like admission information, class
cancellation information, exam schedule, news of different types of events that held in
varsity and so on can be announced through the CR.
Different types of awareness programs like community cleaning, keep cleaning home
sides and roads, security awareness, providing basic information for betterment of life
etc. can be broadcast.
CR can be used for source of income through advertisement and be used for socio
economic improvement.
The CR technology can most effectively be used for non-formal education for adult
people, awareness programs, youth development programs, local community knowledge
sharing, recycling of knowledge, ethnic community preservation programs and in areas,
where density of population is sparse, where access to school is difficult like char (land
within a river) and hilly areas of the country and also isolated places because of less
access to road or other communication, and where access of qualified teachers are very
few.
Student Radio Network ensures clients professionalism from all the stations across the
network by combining effective training and development to the stations and the most
cost effective national coverage available. Student Radio Network, Today's Students,
Tomorrows Leaders.
Student Radio Network uses a one-contact point system that is intended to give students
and community radio stations access to airtime sales and ensure that the allocated airtime
that is scheduled is followed correctly by the broadcasters.
Student Radio Network, a newly launched initiative aimed at unleashing the power of the
student radio market, intends to bring in methods that will bridge the existing gap in
getting access to airtime sales and barriers that prevents growth of student and
community radio stations across the country.
Radio creates theatre of the mind - Radio uses theatre of mind to paint a picture or excite
an emotion about the advertised product. Radio stretches the imagination. The listener
becomes mentally involved in picturing the benefits of the product.
Radio is flexible - Radio can create awareness and build a market presence, generate
store traffic. Tailor made an event and trigger call to action response.
Radio is intimate - Radio is a warm, involving medium where the listener feels they are
part of the action not just an observer. It is a very personal relationship where the
listeners get to know their favorite radio personalities extremely well. Radio provides
more than information and entertainment, it becomes a companion - like an old friend
and because of this messages come across in a similar way to a 'word-of-mouth'
recommendation.
So on.
Need Assessment of CR_
Some of the remote areas of Bangladesh are so distant that access to civic facilities like sufficient
primary and secondary schools, electricity, health complex, sanitations etc. are rare and in some
cases these accesses are few. The general literate and illiterate people of those areas are getting
the benefits of radio. Since the radio has been introduced long ago and it has more than 70 years
history of services to the country, and radio is easily portable device as used by less costly
batteries, the people who are not properly literate are capable of operating a Radio. They know
radio as medium of entertainment only and some of them know the programs schedule of the
Radio.
People are realizing that they like to use radio as a medium of basic, primary and higher
education for them or for their children or they like to use radio for celebrating their local
communal festival events or sharing regional knowledge about their own wellbeing, information
exchange or updating knowledge about local market, they did remain quiet in most cases when
they first listened to our questions. Their quietness was the reason of being surprised with such
possibilities.
However, some of them came forward with reply that radio could be very effective for learning
because one radio could be shared by many people and because of its portable nature they could
carry it wherever they would go. Some stated that since their children didn't have teachers to
teach English or Mathematics, their children could learn the lessons from the radio. But added
with a suggestion that these lessons should be regular and the approach of educational radio
content should be need based. Some of them said that it would be profitable if radio informed
them about the price before harvesting of vegetables or other saleable goods, they could make a
good use of the information.
The appropriate use of CR can be very contributory initially for creating informed and updated
mass people of Bangladesh. It may require training and development of human resources to
activate CR suitably for each type of formal or non-formal educational needs of the locality. It is
strongly believed that using Community Radio applications in support of basic education, we
could achieve an accelerating speed of grade achievement. So its really necessary for us to full
implementation of the concept of CR in all over our country.
Conclusion_
Since Bangladesh Open University has expertise and experience in disseminating education
through distance modes using state owned Radio and Television, BOU plans to use those skills
and proficiency through establishment of CR in Bangladesh. BOU can play dynamic roles setting
up CR stations in its 12 Regional Resource Centers (RRC`s) and 80 Coordinating Offices (COs)
throughout the country for broadcasting tutorial programs according to local needs to ensure
quality.
In addition, BOU can also lead to create a place for work with GOs & NGOs and other
philanthropic organizations collaboratively and more comprehensively towards sustainable
educational development. The wide introduction of Community Radio creates new types of
employment opportunity in the country for a range of people, who have to work as programs
producers, presenters, educators, tutors, technicians, facilitators, educational content developers
(radio curricula), which require training and development. BOU can stand here very profoundly
to play a role model for the manpower development of this Community Radio technology.
In this paper, we have given a lot emphasis on Community Radio in various respect of
eventualities since we strongly believe in the case of Bangladesh, this communication tool can be
very appropriately instrumental for GOs, NGOs and other pro-active forces and partners working
in the realm of formal education, basic education, non-formal education, adult education,
continuing education for eradicating illiteracy and other distance academic programs for the
accomplishment of the objective of ‘education for all’. As such, it is expected that at the
inception of Community Radio history in Bangladesh, this radio would be handled and operated
by an educational professional body like BOU.