A Case Study of Community Radio Policy in Bangladesh

Liberalization of air wave is a very recent phenomenon in Bangladesh. Still the country doesn't have a comprehensive broadcasting policy. There are many age old laws and ordinances, which are guiding the broadcasting system. The regulations are a mixture of colonial and military heritages. Broadcasting industry is part of the political game. Party in power and its allies are the privileged group who can have license to set up broadcast media. Community Radio Installation, Broadcast and Operation Policy 2008 is an exception. An advocacy coalition leaded the community radio movement in Bangladesh and managed to convince the government to allow communities to have their own media. In one sense, it is liberalization of air wave and on the other hand it is decentralization of media. But still there are tasks to take forward. From supply side the movement is a success and from demand side, the coalition has much to do. In this book, the author tried to investigate the motivation, formation, activities and lessons of the movement. For policy advocates, it is a living example and for student it is a new approach to influence policy. For others it is fun reading.