Bangladesh NGOs Network for Radio and Communication
Bangladesh NGOs Network for Radio and Communication (BNNRC) was established.Conforming to the International Charter - Article 19 of Universal Declaration of Human Right. Right to Information is one of BNNRCs elementary mandates. Since year 2000, BNNRC has been working nationally and internationally in different fields related to Right to Information.
We cannot refuse the fact that general people of Bangladesh are not much aware of their right to information. In Bangladesh, a developing country with a par capita income of around US$380 and overall literacy rate of around 40%, an immaculate picture cannot be expected. However, a change in awareness level is being evident gradually.
Usually the privileged portion of the population seems to be concerned with their right. People with a moderate level of education, having a standard livelihood, living in the urban areas or attached with political process are found to be concerned with their information right. On the other hand, rural, marginalized, disadvantaged, illiterate people are the main subject to the ignorance of their right.
However the good side of the coin is - policy level has started to recognize the importance of this basic right. In year 2003, Bangladesh Law Commission (BLC) drafted an act on Right to Information (RTI). Since then, BNNRC is maintaining continuous liaison with BLC and Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs. Till date we have disseminated around 500 copies (soft & hard copy) of drafted RTI law among multi stakeholders. BNNRC is continuously urging to integrate the drafted act with the PRSP and WSIS-Bangladesh action plan. Our campaign for upholding this right was not only limited to the high echelon but we conducted campaign among the grass-root beneficiaries of the movement through our networking members.
If we want to list our achievements till date, it wont be that long. But it had good impact and provides us enough energy to move forward with the issue. As soon as the act was drafted, we provided a quick reaction & review to law commission.
Besides maintaining liaison with national stakeholders, we are trying to keep regular solidarity with international organizations like Article19, Freedom of Information Advocates Network (FOIA) and Commonwealth Human Rights Initiatives (CHRI) World Association for Community Radio Broadcasters (AMARC), Communication Rights in the Information Society (CRIS) and World Association of Christian Communication (WACC). In addition to these, we are in charge of maintaining a listserv on RTI (RTI-Bangladesh listserv).
Having working in a developing country, BNNRC faced numerous challenges in the process. Official Secrecy Act and slow response from key stakeholders i.e. ministry, law commission were the most important two. Besides, lack of cooperation from DUJ, BFUJ and other important media stakeholders and lack of funding for RTI related campaign are two others to be mentioned. Its also a matter of regret that no reflection regarding RTI in donors strategy papers is found.
BNNRC strongly believes that some strategies and measures should be initiated to solve the above mentioned challenges. We should immediately create a National Forum and start long term campaign on RTI. Effective communication should be established with press and other media bodies. Donor coordination should be strengthened. A local Consultative Group (LCG) and increased political communication will also be able to provide good results.
In the whole process, grass root people can not be left aside. BNNRC and its networking members have a wide experience in working with grass root population. For involving these people to this movement, we feel the following measure would be proven effective if initiated - a) NGOs can aware their beneficiaries/target groups/group members regarding RTI; b) Local civil society, political party, pres, administration (local government) can add significant value in raising awareness and c) Integrated country wide mass campaign initiated at the same time in all the levels.
We have ascertained the key stakeholders/role players in government in Bangladesh. They are a) Law Commission; b) Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs; c) Ministry of Information d) Press Institute of Bangladesh (PIB) and e) Secretariat to Prime Ministers office. Besides, Media, NGOs, CSOs, Private sector and politicians have their specific roles to be played for the success of the process.
All the key stakeholders (State, Media, Politicians, NGOs, CSOs and Private Sectors) in a democratic country have specific roles (mentioned above) to undergo. No single party can draw the achievement solely. Its a multi player game. So, everyone from specific place should do his/her duty. Only then the common people of Bangladesh can expect to enjoy the nutrients of the very basic food of life - Right to Information.
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