Community Radio Program
There are more than 20’000 radio stations in the world and more than 2 billion radio receivers. Any notion that TV or other sophisticated communication technology will replace radio is unfounded.
“Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to reek, receive and import information and ideas through any media and regardless of any frontiers.”
– Rights of Information, Section
Article 19 of the Universal Declaration Of
Human Rights.
While community radio is a form of public-service broadcasting, it has an approach that is different from conventional broadcasting. Its specific focus is to make its audience the main protagonists, by their involvement in all aspects of its management and programme production, and by providing them with programming that will help them in the development and social advancement of their community.
Community Radio is a social process or event in which members of the community associate together to design programmes and produce and air them, thus taking on the primary role of actors in their own destiny, whether this b
e for something as common as mending fences in the neighbourhood or a community-wide campaign on how to use clean water and keep it clean, or agitation for the election for new leaders. This emphasis is on the ownership of democrative and development efforts by the members of the community themselves and the use of media, in this case radio, to achieve it. In every sense, this is participatory communication (not programme made about them by somebody else). It is above all a process, not a technology, not merely a means, because the people are part of that means and so is the message and
the audience.
Community Radio is most relevant to a group of people who live and act as a community, and this could be several families, several neighbourhoods, or even several villages or communities, but the important thing is that they interact. This is why I think of community radio as the community speaking to each other and acting together for common goals.
Srijony Foundation for ensuring community people’s access to information particularly in relations to their livelihoods, health, education opportunities initiated a community radio, FM- 99.2 “Radio Jhinuk”. We are the pioneers in this sector. The community radio station-Radio Jhinuk is situated in Poba
hati, under Jhenaidah Sadat Upazilla Of Jhenaidah District. Radio Jhinuk creates easy and direct access to the media for disadvantaged, underprivileged and low-income group of people in Jhenaidah in relation to restoration of human rights and to expedite the agro based economic issues and other life-centred issues related to poverty.
- Establishment Date: November 19, 2011
- Govt. Approval Date: April-2010
- Transmission Time: Daily 11:30 am to 10:00 pm
- Number of Paid Staffs: 05
- Number of Volunteers: 45 (Male: 22, Female: 23)
Specific Functions
- Promote and reflect local culture, character and identity.
- Assists in creating a diversity in broadcasting ownership.
- Increase access to a diversity of voices on air.
- Be responsive to the needs of the community.
- Contribute to Human Resources development for broadcasting and where appropriate to job creation.
- Encourage members of the relevant community to participate in programming and production matters.
- Encourage innovation and experimentation in programming.
Specific Objectives
- To ensure community people’s access to information particularly in relation to their livelihoods, health, education opportunities etc.
- To disseminate timely and latest information in various development issues especially agriculture, health, education and other development issues.
- To develop people’s awareness about their rights and ensure their active participation in development process.
- To aware the community about the prevailing law in the country.
- To encourage and uphold local culture, progressive traditions through the broadcast programs.
The approximate population covered by the Radio Jhinuk is 4’50’000, the radio is reached in Jhenaidah district along with Magura, Jessore, Kushtia and Chuadanga. The transmission area of the radio is 50 km wide.
Education and Development Programmes
Name |
Topic |
Target Audience |
Hello, 99.2 | Local various informative program | Common People |
Tarunna Ussach | Youth | Young generation |
Amader Krishi | Agriculture | Farmer |
Valo Thakun | Health | Common People |
Sonali Ziban | Awareness | Common People |
Zago Nari | Women Rights | Women |
Natak | Social issues | Common People |
Eso Enregi Sikhi | English Language | Student |
Jhenuker Adda | Talk show with renowned local person | Common People |
Es-say Guri | Child Rights | Children |
Jibikar Janala | Information Technology | Student |
Hridoye Campus | Educational Institute | College and University Students |
Amrao Pari | Rights and disable people | Common People |
Jiboner Galpa | Reducing Suicide | Common People |
Tiffener Adda | Local Primary and Secondary School | Student |
Amra Jhenuker Bondhu | Program of Listeners Clubs | Common People |
Jhenuker Darpan | News | Common People |
Moner Majhe Ja Gan Baje/Samaj Darpan | Music program/ awareness | Common People |