[FoME] COVID-19: How Community Radio Broadcasting Coronavirus Education in Bangladesh

Mi Mär 18 14:27:24 CET 2020

[image: COVID-19 copy.jpg]

*COVID-19: *

*How Community Radio Broadcasting *

*Coronavirus Education in Bangladesh*

Bangladesh NGOs Network for Radio and Communication (BNNRC)’s approach to
media development is both knowledge-driven and context-sensitive, and it
takes into account the challenges and opportunities created by the rapidly
changing media environment in Bangladesh including community radio
development giving voices for the voiceless in line with shaping the Future
of Media, Information & Entertainment in the Era of the Fourth Industrial
Revolution (4th IR) in Bangladesh. www.bnnrc.net

BNNRC has been mobilizing all community radios for developing and
broadcasting awareness building programs on COVID-19: Coronavirus
contamination to protect lives and livelihoods since March 1, 2020.

*Context*

COVID-19 has disrupted lives and livelihoods of the communities in 158
countries globally and we are just going to face the same. Bangladesh is
the most densely populated developing country where 1,961 people are live
in per square kilometer with limited knowledge and health care services.

In the meanwhile, Bangladesh has confirmed three new coronavirus cases
taking the total to eight so far and three of them have returned home after
recovery. Govt. has shut down all educational institutions until Mar 31,
2020 amid virus scare. The decision was taken as a precautionary measure so
that the students have to stay at home. Health Minister has asked the
expatriate Bangladeshis, who have returned home recently, and their
relatives not to visit mosques for prayers to help stop the spread of
coronavirus. He urged people for avoiding mass gathering, shuttered
sporting, cultural and religious events and to practice "social distancing"
to curb the spread.

Government has encouraged to stay at home quarantine those who returns from
abroad. But it was observed that some of them are not follow this
instruction which is a serious threat for the community.

In this situation, building community awareness is essential and the best
option to prevent COVID-19: Coronavirus. Individual initiatives are not
sufficient to manage this situation. So need coordinated combine action
with multi-stakeholders cooperation- at exceptional scale and speed-can
potentially mitigate the risks and impact of this unprecedented crisis.
Hence, community radio has been playing a vital role for building the
awareness of the community people.

*Contribution*

The COVID -19 demands cooperation among government, CSOs, local business
communities, multi-stakeholders. BNNRC has been mobilizing the stakeholders
for social disaster preparedness and Disaster Risks Reduction (DRR) since
its inception.

In this perspective, BNNRC has been working on COVID -19 covering with the
following issues:

1. Animate CSOs, Government, health service providers and communities for
reinforcing collective action.

2. Keeping community people’s daily life normal and livelihood function

3. Mobilize further cooperation among government, CSOs, local market and
communities’ response

*Approach*

BNNRC has also been developed a radio program outline on prevention of
COVID-19: Coronavirus by following the update information of Institute of
Epidemiology Disease Control and Research (IEDCR), Ministry of Health and
Family Welfare, Government of Bangladesh.

BNNRC has been monitoring the situation 24 hours and coordinating community
radio programs centrally and providing support as and when required. One
broadcaster in each radio stations was assigned as the focal person to
coordinate the special education program. The focal of the community radio
stations are- Lutfunnahar Happy, Cell: 01723577740,  Radio Chilmari,
Kurigram; Akhi Akter, Cell: 01757534092, Sarabela, Gaibandha; Md.
Mohaimanul Islam Rafi, Cell: 01773522380, Radio Mukti, Bogra; Rezaul Karim,
Cell: 01723967912, Radio Mahananda, Chapainawabgonj, Asad Akand, Cell:
01711283762, Radio Padma, Rajshahi; Md. Masud Rana, Cell: 01744424706,
Radio Boral, Bagha, Rajshahi; Md. Imon Hasan, Cell: 01763919073, Radio
Jhenuk, Jhenaidah; Mamun Hossain, Cell: 01789511571, Radio Nalta, Satkhira;
Md. Salman, Cell: 01771 480457 of Radio Lokobetar, Barguna, Md. Shamim
Mridha, Cell: 01713 68 88 89 of Krishi Radio, Amtoli, Barguna;  Ms. Konika
Rani, Asst. Station Manager, Cell: 01708120390 of Radio Meghna,
Charfashion, Bhola; Mr. Afser Hossain, Cell: 01745385680 of Radio Sagor
Dwip, Hatiya, Noakhali, Ms. Mohasena Akter Mina, Cell: 01849266558 of Radio
Sagor Giri, Sitakund, Chattogram; Mr. Abdul Aziz, Asst. Cell:  Radio Naf,
Teknaf of Cox’s Bazar, Mr. Md. Al Amin, Cell: 01718199056 of Radio
Pollikontho, Moulvibazar and Mr. Moshiur Rahman, Cell: 01614202910 of Radio
Bikrampur, Munshigonj.

The contents are mainly about the virus, how COVID-19: Coronavirus spreads,
symptoms, precautionary measures including personal awareness and
suggestion for sick patients as per the guideline of the Institute of
Epidemiology, Disease Control and Research (IEDCR), UNICEF in line with WHO
COVID-19: Strategic Preparedness and Response Plan OPERATIONAL PLANNING
GUIDELINES TO SUPPORT COUNTRY PREPAREDNESS AND RESPONSE.

The radios are broadcasting altogether 20 hours program daily on Corona
virus contamination in different formats like- news, Public Service
Announcement (PSA), radio spots, radio talks, magazine, drama, jingles,
interview and expert opinions etc. The contents of the programs are- how to
contaminate, symptoms of the patients, precautionary steps for preventing
contamination, service providers, service providing agencies and service
delivery points, and the role of community people.

*Key findings:*

Community Radios stations, as one of the source of information, helping to
raise awareness on COVID- 19 and reinforcing Behaviour Change Communication
(BCC) by CSOs, Government, health officials and locally elected
bodies(LEB).

Community Radio stations are building awareness to change attitudes among
community people at different points in their daily lives.

Community Radio stations, as a platform for those who involve in COVID -19
response to update rural communities. They are also providing a channel for
two-way communication with community people where listeners are sending SMS
or call in with questions.

Community Radio stations have been coordinating with the District and
Upazila level  Coronavirus Prevention Committees.

Community Radio stations have assigned one broadcaster in each radio
stations as the focal person to coordinate COVID – 19 program.

Community Radio stations are broadcasting programs on COVID -19 in local
languages or dialects.

Community Radio stations are producing contents which speaks directly to
localized issues and concerns, and features trusted local people in a way
that nationally or regionally produced content cannot.

*Implications:*

It is really working and having a very positive effect at the rural
communities. Community Radio stations help to reduce the panic of COVID –
19 gradually by broadcasting awareness programs. Now the community people are
taking precautionary measures to prevent contamination of COVID – 19.  People
now understand more about the COVID - 19. Community Radio stations have
already been established a well-trusted source of information for rural
people of Bangladesh.

*Contact*

BNNRC has formed a monitoring team consists of 5 members. Mark Manash Saha
acts as the Program Coordinator. Cell: +88 01712 144 180, email:
mark at bnnrc.net

 ----------------------------

*Bazlu*

____

AHM. Bazlur Rahman-S21BR | Chief Executive Officer |

Bangladesh NGOs Network for Radio and Communication (BNNRC)

[Consultative Status with the ECOSOC of the United Nations]

*Policy Research Fellow*, Shaping the Future of Media, Information  &
Entertainment

in the Era of the Fourth Industrial Revolution(4th IR)

House: 9/4 Road: 2, Shaymoli, Dhaka-1207| Bangladesh|

Phone: +88-02-9130750| 9101479 | +88 01711881647

Fax: 88-02-9138501 | ceo at bnnrc.net | bnnrcbd at gmail.com |

http://www.bnnrc.net
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