<div dir="ltr"><div class="gmail_quote"><div dir="ltr"><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:center;margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt"><br></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:center;margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt"> <br></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:left;margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt"><img src="cid:ii_k84c438k0" alt="Jhenuk - DC, Jhenaidah (2).jpg" width="485" height="274" style="margin-right: 0px;"><br></p><div><br></div>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt"><b style="color:rgb(0,0,255);font-size:large">Bangladeshi Community Radios Broadcasting 25 Hours Program
on COVID-19 Prevention Education  </b><br></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt"><font size="4" color="#0000ff"><b><br></b></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt"><font face="verdana, sans-serif">Sixteen
Community Radios stations in Bangladesh have been broadcasting Coronavirus
prevention education in line with the National Preparedness and Response Plan for
COVID – 19, published by Directorate General of Health Services, Health Service
Division, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of the People’s
Republic of Bangladesh.</font></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt"><font face="verdana, sans-serif"> </font></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt"><font face="verdana, sans-serif">Community
Radio stations are also taking special care during designing, developing and
broadcasting  prevention education
program on COVID -19 by considering the policy brief of ARTICLE 19 title is
Viral Lies: Misinformation and the Coronavirus. <a href="https://www.article19.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Coronavirus-final.pdf" style="color:blue" target="_blank">https://www.article19.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Coronavirus-final.pdf</a></font></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt"><font face="verdana, sans-serif"> </font></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt"><b><i><font face="verdana, sans-serif">Media
outlets and journalists should proactively report on disinformation, propaganda
and discrimination by state or non-state actors in the context of the COVID-19
outbreak. Accurate reporting by reputable journalistic sources is one of the
most powerful tools to </font></i></b></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt"><b><i><font face="verdana, sans-serif"> </font></i></b></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt"><b><i><font face="verdana, sans-serif">Media
outlets and journalists should support effective systems of self-regulation,
including both national press complaints bodies and ombudsmen or public editors
at individual news outlets. Such bodies or officials should help to ensure the
right of correction or reply to address inaccurate or discriminatory reporting
in the context of the COVID-19 outbreak. </font></i></b></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt"><b><i><font face="verdana, sans-serif"> </font></i></b></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt"><b><i><font face="verdana, sans-serif">Media
outlets and journalists should adhere to the highest ethical standards,
including equality principles, when reporting on COVID-19. They should report
about COVID-19 accurately and without bias, avoiding stereotyping, and without
unnecessarily referring to race or nationality or ethnic origin.</font></i></b></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt"><font face="verdana, sans-serif"> </font></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt"><font face="verdana, sans-serif">Bangladesh
NGOs Network for Radio and Communication (BNNRC) has been monitoring and
observation the situation 24x7 hours centrally and providing support and advice
to the community radios as and when required. One broadcaster in each radio
stations is working as the focal person to coordinate COVID -19 prevention programs.
Sixteen community radio stations focal are working closely with the local
district, upazila and union Coronavirus Prevention Committees and government
offices for reinforcing information to develop the radio programs. </font></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt"><font face="verdana, sans-serif"> </font></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial;margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt"><font face="verdana, sans-serif">Presently, Bangladeshi Community Radio
stations are broadcasting 25 hours awareness raising program per day on prevention
of pandemic Coronavirus education for the rural people for  animating CSOs, Government, health service providers
and communities for reinforcing collective action, keeping community people’s
daily life normal and livelihood function & mobilize further cooperation
among government, CSOs, local market and communities’ response</font></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt"><font face="verdana, sans-serif"> </font></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt"><font face="verdana, sans-serif">The
formats of the COVID – 19 programs are- news, Public Service Announcement
(PSA), radio spots, radio talks, magazine, drama, jingles, interviews of local
administrations and health officials and expert opinions etc. And the contents
are- What is Corona, how to contaminate, symptoms of the patients, advice for
the patients, precautionary steps for preventing contamination, what is
quarantine, home quarantine, service providers, and service providing agencies
and service delivery points, the role of community people and hotline service
information of government. Simultaneously, community radios are broadcasting
PSA on government orders. </font></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt"><font face="verdana, sans-serif"> </font></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt"><span style="font-family:verdana,sans-serif">The
contents are developing by following the guideline of Institute of Epidemiology
Disease Control And Research (</span><em style="font-family:verdana,sans-serif"><span style="color:rgb(82,86,90);background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial;font-style:normal">IEDCR) Government of Bangladesh,</span></em><span style="font-family:verdana,sans-serif"> UNICEF and WHO COVID-19: Strategic
Preparedness and Response Plan. Some radios have distributed leaflets in the
educational institutions and public places.</span><span style="font-family:verdana,sans-serif"> </span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt"><font face="verdana, sans-serif"> </font></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial;margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt"><font face="verdana, sans-serif">Key observations are in the community
radio broadcasting areas; the panic among the community people has been
reducing gradually and people are taking precautionary measures to prevent
contamination of Coronavirus. The audiences are making phone calls and sending
SMS during the live broadcasting to share their queries. Besides, the COVID –
19 focal are communicating with the local Corona Prevention Committees for
reinforcing information and instructions. Thus a good coordination has been
established between government and private organizations, and community radio
stations. This awareness campaign will be continued unto the normal situation
is bring back.   </font></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial;margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt"><font face="verdana, sans-serif"> </font></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial;margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt"><font face="verdana, sans-serif">Community Radios Broadcasting 25 Hours
Program on COVID-19 Prevention Education Community Radio stations are Community
Radio Padma 99.2 FM Rajshahi,  Community Radio
Nalta 99.2 FM Kaligonj, Satkhira,  Community
radio LokoBetar 99.2 FM Barguna Sadar, Community Radio Pollikontho 99.2 FM Moulvibazar
Sadar,  Community Radio SagorGiri, 99.2 FM
Sitakunda, Chottogram, Community Radio Mahananda 98.8 FM Chapainawabganj Sadar,
Community Radio Mukti 99.2 FM Bogra Sadar,  Community Radio Chilmari 99.2 FM, Chilmary,
Kurigram, Community  Radio Jhenuk 99.2 FM
<em><span style="color:black;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial;font-style:normal">Jhenaidah Sadar</span></em><em><span style="color:rgb(82,86,90);background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial;font-style:normal">,
</span></em> Community Rural Krishi Radio 99.8 FM Amtoly,
Barguna,  Community Radio Naf 99.2 FM
Tekhnaf, Cox’s Bazer, Community Radio Bikrampur 99.2 FM Munshigonj,  Community Radio Meghna 99.0 FM, Charfashion,
Bhola, Community Radio SagorDwip 99.2 FM Hatiya Island, Noakhali,   Community Radio Sarabela 98.8 FM Gaibandha  and Community Radio Boral 99.0FM,</font></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt"><font face="verdana, sans-serif"> </font></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt"><span style="background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><font face="verdana, sans-serif">BNNRC has formed a monitoring team consists of 5 members. The
team is monitoring the situation and providing necessary support to Community
Radio stations. Mark Manash Saha acts as the Program Coordinator of the
monitoring cell. For any emergencies and query, please contact with- Cell: +88
01712144180, email: <a href="mailto:mark@bnnrc.net" style="color:blue" target="_blank">mark@bnnrc.net</a>.</font></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt"><font face="verdana, sans-serif"> ---------------------------------------------</font></p><div><div dir="ltr" data-smartmail="gmail_signature"><div dir="ltr"><div><div dir="ltr"><div><div dir="ltr"><br><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-repeat:initial"><b><font face="georgia, serif">Bazlu</font></b><br></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-repeat:initial"><font face="georgia, serif">____</font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-repeat:initial"><font face="georgia, serif">AHM. Bazlur Rahman-S21BR | Chief Executive Officer |</font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-repeat:initial"><font face="georgia, serif">Bangladesh NGOs Network for Radio and Communication (BNNRC)</font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-repeat:initial"><font face="georgia, serif" color="#9900ff">[Consultative Status with the ECOSOC of the United Nations]</font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-repeat:initial"><font face="georgia, serif" color="#ff9900"><b><br></b></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-repeat:initial"><font face="georgia, serif"><b>Policy Research Fellow</b>, Shaping the Future of Media, Information  & Entertainment</font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-repeat:initial"><font face="georgia, serif">in the Era of the Fourth Industrial Revolution(4th IR)</font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-repeat:initial"><font face="georgia, serif"> </font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-repeat:initial"><font face="georgia, serif">House: 9/4 Road: 2, Shaymoli, Dhaka-1207| Bangladesh|</font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-repeat:initial"><font face="georgia, serif">Phone: +88-02-9130750| 9101479 | +88 01711881647</font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-repeat:initial"><font face="georgia, serif">Fax: 88-02-9138501 | <font color="#9900ff"><a href="mailto:ceo@bnnrc.net" style="color:rgb(17,85,204)" target="_blank">ceo@bnnrc.net</a> | <a href="mailto:bnnrcbd@gmail.com" style="color:rgb(17,85,204)" target="_blank">bnnrcbd@gmail.com</a> |</font></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-repeat:initial"><font face="georgia, serif" color="#9900ff"><a href="http://www.bnnrc.net/" style="color:rgb(17,85,204)" target="_blank">http://www.bnnrc.net</a></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-repeat:initial"><br></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-repeat:initial"><br></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-repeat:initial"><img src="https://docs.google.com/uc?export=download&id=1RJOnIexObj-wUKa-eEDOkHzeTze7cf5s&revid=0B2fnWF1nL9MZNVU4MlNoOVdnUzRTWkRDWndlY0NVVnVOblVNPQ" width="420" height="126"><br></p></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>
</div></div>