Govt to use community radios for publicity

The government has embarked on a six-month campaign using community radios as tools to publicise its development projects. 

It has asked all the 17 community radios, in operation now, to air programmes on “10 special initiatives of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina” for the length of time. Bangladesh Betar will coordinate the programmes with financial support from the information ministry.

A letter in this regard was sent to the radios last month, in which Bangladesh Betar Deputy Director ABM Mahbubur Rahman said the Department of Films and Publications would provide the contents to be aired.

The letter also specified that the contents would focus on Ekti Bari Ekti Khamar project, Ashrayan project, Digital Bangladesh, education assistance programme, women empowerment, electricity in every household, community clinic and mental health, social safety net programme, flourishing investment and environment protection.

Community radios have an obligation to broadcast development activities of the government, according to the Community Radio Installation, Broadcast and Operation Policy, 2008 that at the same time cautions them against being used as a mouthpiece or publicity vehicle of any party.

A community radio is a resource of that particular community and it is to portray the outlook and attitude, norms and culture, thought and ideology of the people of the community, as said on the website of Bangladesh NGOs Network for Radio and Communication.

Each station covers an area of 17 km radius from its centre with maximum transmitting power of 100 watts.

Bangladesh formally entered the era of community radio in 2011. At present, 17 stations are broadcasting programmes of 135 hours in total daily in different parts of the country.

AHM Bazlur Rahman, CEO of the radio and communication network, admitted receiving the letter from Bangladesh Betar.

Asked if Bangladesh Betar has the authority to give such an order, he said, "According to the policy, the government can give such a directive. We have obligations to air government's development activities."

Complying with the instruction, some community radios have already begun broadcasting success stories of the government. The rest will join them soon.

Shahjadi Anjuman Ara, addition secretary (broadcast) of the information ministry, told The Daily Star that the directive was issued to make people aware of development activities of the Sheikh Hasina-led government.

The latest move followed the three-day “development fair” organised by the government in January in all upazilas and districts to inform people of its achievement and success.

“This [radio programmes] is part of our preparation for the next parliamentary election,” said a mid-ranking Awami League leader wishing not to be named.

The ruling party has also taken measures to resolve intra-party conflicts, conduct a survey to identify hopeful MP candidates and draft the party's election manifesto for the next election.

AL President Sheikh Hasina at her party's 20th triennial council in October last year asked party members to prepare for the election and reiterated the call in almost all party forums.

About the party's election preparation, AL presidium member Con (Retd) Faruk Khan said, "We are working to strengthen the organisation by resolving intra-party disputes. A team led by PM's advisor HT Imam is working to prepare the manifesto."

The party has planned to ensure maximum use of social and electronic media, adding a new dimension to its election campaign. AL's research wing Centre for Research and Information is working on that.