A Consultation for Policy review on Community Radio Installation, Operation and Broadcasting Policy 2008 entitled:”Proposed Inclusion, Revision and Change “has been taken place 7 May 2012 at 10 a.m. at JATRI Training Hall Karwan Bazar, Dhaka. Bangladesh
The consultation was organized by Bangladesh NGOs Network for Radio and Communication (BNNRC).Representatives of different Community Radio stations, veteran media experts, academics and UNICEF officials participated in the program. Mr. Syed Tamjidur Rahman, Chief Executive Officer of Change Maker facilitated the session.

After a brief introduction by the participants, Mr.AHM Bazlur Rahman- S21BR, Chief Executive Officer of BNNRC welcomed the participants. He mentioned that after a long term policy advocacy govt.has announced the Community Radio Policy 2008 and approved license for 14 Community Radio stations. Out of these 10 stations are already on-air and the rest are coming on-air by this month. This is a good time to reflect on the policy and govt.has rightly chosen the time to review the document. The inputs of the in initiators will enrich the initiative of the govt.
In the consultation, as regards to inclusion, revision and change(proposed) in the policy document; valuable suggestions and inputs have been provided by Mr. S.M. Shameem Reza, Associate Professor, Department of Mass Communication and Journalism, University of Dhaka, Nance Weber, C4D Unit Chief, UNICEF-Bangladesh, other officials of the unit Ms.Anu Kapur and Sayedul Haque Milky, reputed development expert Faruq Faisal, Jamil Ahmed, Executive Director, JATRI and Shamima Akhtar, Executive Director, ESO Foundation and Focal person for WIN-Bangladesh.

From among the Community Radio Stations/initiators Md.Hasib Hossain Community Radio Mahananda 98.8, Mr. Azizur Rahman, Community Pallikantha 99.2, Sultan Mahmud, Community Radio Bikrampur 99.2, Dr.AKM Shahidul Islam Community Radio Nalta 99.2, Mostafiz Gani Community Radio Padma 99.2, Subir Das Community Radio Sagargiri 99.2 and Mahbubul Haque Community Radio Barendra 99.2.
The speakers shared their experiences and lessons learned and provided some valuable suggestions so that these would be considered during the review process of the CR Policy by the govt.

BNNRC will now compile the recommendations and place those to the Ministry of Information as part of the inputs from the civil society and grassroots level initiators to policy review process.

This post was submitted by bnnrc.

The Radio station is different in that it plays music from as far back as 1950 and up to 1989. All music genres are included such as Bluegrass, Country, regular pop music, Hard/Soft Rock and Album tracks.

Listeners can listen to the station by either going to the website www.goldenoldiesplymouth.co.uk or Facebook at Golden Oldies Plymouth. The station is also on the Tunein, Yourmuze and Nobex apps for all popular smartphones.

This post was submitted by goldenoldiesplymouth.

World Press Freedom Day 2012 is going to be observed in all Community Radio stations simultaneously on May 03, 2012. In the mean while, all Community Radio stations are preparing them for celebrating the day first time in Bangladesh at Community Radio station level with support from Free Press Unlimited.

Addressing the Global theme of the day is New Voices: Media Freedom Helping to Transform Societies, a theme has been fixed up in the context of Bangladesh: “Press Freedom is essential for social transformation: Community Radio has started its venture in this struggle”.

In this occasion “World Press freedom Day 2012”, Community Radio stations will arrange a press conference locally on the issue, “Community Radio and World Press freedom Day”. Representatives from local media, media practitioners, civil society members, local administration and delegates from different level of the society will be invited in the event.

Celebrating the day “World Press freedom Day 2012”, Bangladesh NGOs Network for Radio and Communication has already been published a special poster. The message of the poster is: “Press Freedom is essential for social transformation Community Radio has started its venture for establishing Good Governance and democratic practice”.

“World Press freedom Day” is a tool for ensuring the freedom of media practitioners. It will be the strength to establish a desired healthy pluralistic society as well as social transformation, which will encourage the global media practitioners to be self-reliance for striving in the future days. Thus a Good governance and democratic friendly new social structure will be ensured.

With the support from Free Press Unlimited, all 14 Community Radio stations namely – Community Radio Padma 99.2, Community Radio Nalta 99.2, Community Radio Loko Betar 99.2, Community Radio Pollikantha, Community Radio Sagar Giri 99.2, Community Radio Mohananda 98.8, Community Radio Mukti 99.2, Radio Chilmari 99.2, Community Radio Jhenuk 99.2, Community Rural Radio Krishi Radio 98.8, Community Borendro radio 99.2, Community Radio Naf 99.2 , Community Radio Sundarban 98.8 and Community Radio Bikrampur 99.2 are going to celebrate “World Press freedom Day 2012” on May 3, 2012 for the first time in Bangladesh facilitated by Bangladesh NGOs Network for Radio and Communication(BNNRC). For More info: ceo@bnnrc.net
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This post was submitted by bnnrc.

Broadcast Warehouse: 
1kW FM Amplifier – PA1000

Comments:  Used for 2 months
only since new.

In ‘as new’ condition and original packaging, with manufacturer’s handbook.

Available immediately for delivery, worldwide if required by courier.

Price:  £3,250 plus carriage.

Full spec at:-

http://www.broadcastwarehouse.com/bw-broadcast/pa1000-1kw-fm-amplifier/30/product

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This item has only been used briefly in
short-term station projects in Spain.

Contact:  Mike Wood at: 
admin@dream-fm.com  or  Telephone 
01495 757924 / 079 048 61004

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pa1000 front.jpg (16 KB)

pa1000 rear.jpg (19 KB)

This post was submitted by dreamfm.

At the moment, the group has six breakfast shows for the seven areas with all other programming already networked from its Medway HQ. The changes are to save money, with the group telling the regulator that the sharing of a single breakfast presenter would help them reverse the fortunes of what are currently loss-making stations.

The KM (Kent Messenger) Group hold licences for Ashford, Canterbury, Folkstone/Dover, Maidstone, Medway, Thanet and West Kent.

In each of their seven format request changes, KMFM said:

“The changes we are asking for are within the guidelines set out by Ofcom based on the geographical region Kent. Kmfm radio is running at a loss these changes will help reverse that. We are committed to providing local and relevant information for instance traffic, events and community news will still be relevant to the broadcast area. These changes will not substantially alter the localness and content of the output.”

Ofcom approved the requests saying that they were in line with its policies on co-location and programme sharing and that the changes wouldn’t substantially alter the character of the service.

At the time of writing the breakfast presenters listed on the KMFM websites are as follows:

Ashford – Kirstyn & Webbo
Canterbury – Neil Redding
Folkstone/Dover – Adam Dowling
Maidstone & West Kent – Benedict Smith
Medway – Mike Russell
Thanet – Johnny Lewis

• The history of radio
• Overview of the Regulatory bodies and the station’s responsibilities
• Radio station formats, Public and Private sector etc.
• Programme structures, programme playlists, Music formats
• Hour clock systems and programme templates for developing programmes
• Writing for radio
• Interviewing for radio
• Handling recording equipment
• Libel law basics – what you can and cannot say
• The studio – how it all works
• Making and presenting a programme
• Learning how to use digital audio editing software
• Basic Audio processing, importance of level control in studios
• Microphone technique, and using your voice effectively
• Voiceovers, multi-tracking and advert scripting and production
• Programme research and preparation
• Advertising Sales, ratecards, and how radio advertising works
• Best practice in the studio
• Trouble-shooting common studio snags

If you are looking for community radio training that encompasses a range of broadcasting skills from presenting to production, playlists and systems, interviewing, digital editing, mic technique, to managing staff, planning, identifying the audience etc etc, then contact ABC to find out more about ABC’s Community Radio Training courses.

This post was submitted by radiohead.

This blog post recorded the ideas being discussed. It has now been updated with some audio recorded on the day

Blog

10:40am – Mary Dowson from BCB talked about working with larger organisations. They get £15k a year for being an alternative education provider to be part of the pupil referral unit within Bradford using radio to coordinate it, having some young people on placement with the station, making radio programmes. It’s not project based but service delivery which is more sustainable. The children are referred via other providers, working in partnership with different alternative education providers across Bradford city; BCB provide the coordinating role for this. The outputs are the radio programmes and some video work, some qualifications, really what the station does in its daily role and what they want to do with young people.

The net from the £15k paid comes from only needing 2 days a week employed staff and some overheads. BCB, like any station is not paid for making radio per se but the services they can offer to other organisations. The fact this sits well with the overall aims of the station and is sits within a statutory provision means it has a lot of value to both the station and stakeholder.

11:15am – Kevin from Bolton FM discussed “99 for £99″ which was a way to raise awareness of Bolton FM and increase advertising – they highlighted the reciprocal nature of the market with local advertisers and the station seeking to “serve” the same audiences. The deal was £99 for 99 30 second adverts per month (plus £29 for advert production) which has generated between £10-15k of revenue. It has fed into a push and greater take up of outside broadcasts through the station’s already close involvement with the town council. In addition, the work and greater awareness of pushing outside broadcasts led to an Ofcom grant for developing the roadshows. These roadshows as led them to be able to offer event management facilities to other organisations. It’s aimed at people who can’t afford the local commercial station so it’s a unique offering however, they acknowledge their pull and coverage is limited to be able to take on larger events. However, where the local commercial has let many local stakeholders down with outside broadcasts, Bolton FM has been able to step in e.g. for fireworks events, NHS broadcasts. These outside broadcasts/roadshows clear about £400 profit.

Though it sounds like it could clutter the airwaves it’s 3 adverts a day for the organisation and where they have 2 advert breaks an hour, it means they don’t drown the airwaves with adverts and can take on up to 36 different organisations.

11:45am – Jaqui from the Community Media Association briefed attendees on the national advertising agency who specialise in “hyper local” websites who are interested in community radio that the sector reaches. This agency are looking to work with community radio stations on grabbing the larger chunks of the market that single stations are less able to access e.g. specialised commercial and governmental campaigns. These campaigns may include specialist languages covered by community radio, particular audiences some stations may have etc.

The idea is still being developed and the CMA welcomes feedback on the initiative via jaqui[at]commedia.org.uk.

Questions from the floor included who the national agency was, whether some stations were already working closely with this or similar agencies. Phil Korbel discussed the experiences of the Manchester advertising consortium where openness had been key to making it work. Dave at Oldham discussed the recent misunderstanding by the COI over what community radio stations were – they had thought they were working with community stations that turned out to be commercial.  Advocacy and awareness needed to be part of the CMA’s work with the national campaign agency.

The discussion went back to the £99 for 99 offer and the importance of “knowing your metrics” (Lawrie Hallett) as Future Radio are able to command much higher amounts due to regular surveying of their audiences (e.g. £5000 for an ad campaign from a cab company aimed at students). Though there is a greater story to tell (the Prove It project will show this), it is possible to work in partnership with other community radio stations and build up a survey research legacy that starts to tell your story – and enable you to show the “value” of your audiences. That said, it shouldn’t be forgotten that the Bolton initiative works well to direct new business towards its roadshow and outside broadcast project.

12pm – Richard from Preston FM presented his concept which had been spawned from looking for a new building. This, which scarily involved some loan finance, has generated some money including from charging for a car park, through a leasing of spaces to organisations they know very well, hiring of rooms for meetings etc. This has worked well to further embed the station within its community as well as bring in a separate, non-broadcast related revenue stream. They are also working with a 30 strong voluntary sector consortium in the North West to deliver service level agreements for institutions such as schools. Lastly, they have been working with the University of Central Lancashire in their action research on generating social capital. Such action research is very popular and stations are well placed to do it. Funding can be gained from the research councils through partnership working with universities.

These relationships, especially with universities can bring in other means of revenue such as paid placements.

Nick at Canalside discussed the importance of providing money making services whilst equally being proud of the work the sector has done for free. Jaqui however felt the danger was that external organisations did not place a financial value on such valuable services e.g. police campaigns. This needed to be a judgement call, hyper local community work versus value placed on station services.

12:20pm – Conclusions: Jabbar at Fever FM discussed an online TV initiative which would be subscription led aiming for 1000 members over a year and building a community social network that builds on their 18000 unique hits on their website.

Jason at WFM doesn’t believe adverts are the way forward and instead its more about developing long term service level agreements however others felt that offering an advertising platform for smaller businesses was a community radio service. Dave at Oldham felt the only way forward was a multiplicity of funding sources and being able to demonstrate the value to be found on community radio audiences.

Thanks to all who contributed, we hope it was a really useful event and a good networking opportunity.

Please let us know what you think of the ideas presented this morning.

Audio

As lunch was taking place, the Community Radio Editor, Eleanor, went to speak to some of the participants who had either presented their money idea or had participated.

Liz from Redshift Radio

Liz expanded on an concept she had touched on during the talks. Redshift is an internet only radio station located in South Cheshire. They are applying for a community licence. Redshift have concentrated on embedding themselves into the business community to generate some long term sustainability. Behaving like a networking hub, Liz works hard to make Redshift Media a place for businesses to connect and gain exposure. In the meantime they pay a subscription to Redshift.

Liz-Redshift-Radio

Mary from Bradford Community Broadcasting

Mary expanded on BCB’s service level agreement to be an alternative education provider as part of the pupil referral unit. We wanted to find out more about the staff manage working with creative young people who come to them with some issues whilst maintaining the radio station. For BCB, operating such an SLA helps them meet their key commitments whilst providing them with a regular and sustained source of income.

Mary-Bradford-Community-Broadcasting

Richard from Preston FM

Richard had presented three really different ideas for making Preston FM some money but we wanted to hear more about working with academia on their research programmes. Though there is a general downturn in research funding there are particular areas, many which will fall within the social key commitments of community radiostations, that are growing. Richard talked about how they got involved with the partnership process and how crucial the station is for researchers to be able to access the communities they’re enquiring about.

Richard-Preston-FM

Thank you to all three of you. Please excuse the rough quality of the recordings.

Published by UNESCO and available free online at: http://unesdoc.unesco.org/images/0021/002150/215097E.pdf

Among its activities to mark World Radio Day 2012, UNESCO has launched a new good practice handbook with case studies of community media from around the world. The publication draws on a diversity of experiences to provide inspiration and support for those engaged in community media practice and advocacy and to raise awareness and understanding of community media among policy makers and other stakeholders.

13 February has been proclaimed by UNESCO as a date to celebrate radio broadcast, improve international cooperation among radio broadcasters and encourage decision-makers to create and provide access to information through radio. Community Media: A Good Practice Handbook is a compilation of 30 community radio and other community media examples demonstrating successful approaches to strengthening public voice.

“The value of this publication lies in the fact that it highlights problems while at the same time offering possible solutions. It presents a useful empirical basis for replicating time-tested decisions about how community media can become an even more effective element of a free, independent and pluralistic media system of any democratic society. This book will be a useful reference to community media practitioners, policy-makers, researchers, community organizers, and other media development stakeholders.”

From the Foreword by Wijayananda Jayaweera, former Director, Communication Development Division/IPDC, UNESCO, Paris

A meeting was held on 7 February 2012 at the conference room of Ministry of Information (MoI), Bangladesh Secretariat, Dhaka to discuss on the observance of World Radio day in Bangladesh 2012 in line with UNESCO’s declaration of 13th February as World Radio Day.

The meeting was organized by Ministry of Information, while Information Secretary Mr. Hedayetullah Al Mamun presided over the meeting. Mr.A.K.M Shamim Chowdhury, Director General of Bangladesh Radio presented the importance of World Radio Day and its goal, objectives, significance and the proposed activities during its observance in Bangladesh. Representatives from private Radio Channels, Community Radio, Bangladesh Betar and high-level Ministry officials attended in the meeting.

A “World Radio Day Observation National Committee” was formed to observe the day nationally. Mr.A.K.M Shamim Chowdhury is the Convener of the committee, while Ms. Reba Rani Shaha, Deputy Secretary (Radio) will act as member-secretary of the World Radio Day Observation National Committee.

It has been decided to organize a Seminar at Conference Room of Bangladesh Betar Shahbag Office on February and a Rally, which will be started from the same place at morning. Besides, 14 Community Radio Initiators in outside Dhaka decided to organize colorful rally and seminar on the occasion.

Bangladesh NGOs Network for Radio and Communication (BNNRC) has started advocacy process on observing the world radio day on 13 February 2012 in collaboration with public service Broadcasting, Commercial broadcasting & Community Broadcasting at local and national level.

Bazlu
_______________________
AHM. Bazlur Rahman-S21BR
Chief Executive Officer
Bangladesh NGOs Network for Radio and Communication (BNNRC)
[NGO in Special Consultative Status with the UN Economic and Social Council]
&
Head, Community Radio Academy

House: 13/1, Road: 2, Shaymoli, Dhaka-1207 Bangladesh
Phone: +88-02-9130750, +88-02-9138501, Cell: +88 01711881647
Fax: 88-02-9138501-105,
E-mail: ceo@bnnrc.net, bnnrcbd@gmail.com www.bnnrc.net

This post was submitted by bnnrc.