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Bangladesh Betar: Challenges of 21st Century

Kazi Akhtar Uddin Ahmed Director General. Bangladesh Betar
'Dhaka Dhoni Bistar Kendra' established on December 16, 1939 at Nazimuddin Road of capital Dhaka and later turned into 'All Indian Radio' was the foundation of 'Bangladeash Betar'. Therefore Betar crossed a long way taking different names as 'Radio Pakistan', 'Swadhin Bangla Betar Kendra', 'Bangladesh Betar', 'Radio Bangladesh' and finally ‘Bangladesh Betar’. Currently, there have been booms of electronic media in Bangladesh on the context of worldwide boundless flow of information and immediate connectivity. Eventually Bangladesh Betar, as the country's largest electronic medium has now been facing fierce challenges. And to tackle these challenges this organization has taken plans to refurbish all its programs bringing systematic changes with state of the art technology and dynamic management to make all its output fit for the listeners keeping in mind that qualitative changes will bring Bangladesh Betar to every people, everywhere, everytime.
Bangladesh Betar has now taken elaborate programmes for the listeners. A number of pivotal programmes like ’Chetonai Ekattor', 'Ohonkare Chirojagroto', 'Hridoye Muktijuddho', 'Juddhooporadhider Bichar Chai', ‘Shamprodayeek Shampritir Bangladesh', 'Muktijuddho o Muktijoddhader Gonokobor1, have increased people's acceptance to Bangladesh Betar. Besides, recently programmes like 'Bangabandhu o Bangladesh', ‘Kobitay Bangabandhu’ are being broadcast through all stations as national programmes. Along with the programme on our glorious war of independence, programme like 'Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib: Tar Kotha', 'Mina', 'Bohirngon', 'Jolsha', 'Digital Bangladesh', 'Shapno Puroner Ovijatra', 'Unnoyoner Nobo Diganta', 'Din Bodoler Pala', 'Vision - 2021', 'Esho Desh Gori', 'Gourober Pochattor Bochor1 etc are making Betar more popular day by day.
Bangladesh Betar always stands beside the people and ceaselessly broadcasts necessary programmes during natural calamity and any other disaster situation. Betar played crucial role in minimizing loss of lives and properties during devastating cyclones of 'Sidr1 and 'Aila' with its relentless programs, weather forecasts and warnings. For the listeners of the External Service, it has been broadcasting programmes in six languages including Bangla, English, Hindi, Urdu, Arabic and Nepali.
Bangladesh Betar is ceaselessly working for more involvement of listeners in its 385 hours daily programmes. The organization keeps continue its efforts through broadcasting newer programmes like 'Live phone-in’, 'sms based programmes' and 'facebook comment based listeners' participatory programmes'. Recently Betar has established listener's club 'Koishorer Agrodut' in 14 districts through its 10 regional centers for children and juveniles. These clubs, set up with the help of UNICEF and Dutch government are working for education, health and rights of children and juveniles. Besides Betar, under its long term plan is broadcasting programmes in different districts in collaboration with Shilpakola Academy. Digital registration has already been given to 425 listener's clubs across the country to organize them. The organization as part of its long term plan, has launched a programme to register country's latent competent singers through its 'talent hunting programme'.
Bangladesh Betar has also been working jointly with different international media like BBC, Radio China International (CRI) and Radio Japan NHK World. Besides, Betar along with other international media has been observing 'World Radio Day' on 14 February for the last couple of years. Betar has been elected back to back for two terms (2012-16) for the post of Vice President of Asia Pacific Institute for Broadcasting Development (A1BD). Moreover Betar has received a number of national and international prestigious prizes for making tremendous programmes. In 2006 Bangladesh Betar has been awarded 'Swadhinata Podok' for the gallantry role of 'Swadhin Bangla Betar Kendra' during war of independence in 1971. In total Betar has got 44 international awards.
Since its inception, Bangladesh Betar has been working as the main medium for broadcasting government's development activities. Rare speeches of the country's political leaders, presidents, prime ministers, collections of the songs of bygone days and very crucial programmes on our liberation war have been kept in the 'Transcription Service' of Bangladesh Betar - the largest audio archive of the country. This audio archive has been enormously contributing to introduce people with the country's history, culture and tradition which are not possible for any other media.
A new dimension has been brought to Bangladesh Betar broadcasting technique through the incorporation of modem FM band. Recently Betar has opened sms short code for the listeners in a number of regional stations on experimental basis. It has enabled the listeners of that particular center and unit to enjoy their requested music and express their reaction and opinion instantly. Currently all activities of this organization like programme dubbing, editing, recording and playback are being done by digital system.
At present programmes are being broadcast form the country's majority parts through 32 FM channels aiming to reach programmes to the door steps of the people. Betar has launched its website: www.betar.gov.bd and two channels (AM & FM) Live broadcasting/streaming. In future Betar will be able to broadcast four medium wave frequency and four FM band programmes as well as uplink shortwave programmes through utilizing 'Bangabandhu Satellite". This will eventually open up windows to relay four medium wave, four FM band and one shortwave programmes from Dhaka through all regional stations. Bangladesh Betar has taken steps to set up country wide FM network on the backdrop of increasing popularity of FM band programmes among the new generation and as there is opportunity to listen to FM programmes by mobile phones. One ultra modern digital 250 KW short wave transmitter and one 2/2/0.5 Rotatable Antenna has been set up at Kabirpur station during past tenure of the present government. This Rotatable Antenna first of its kind in this sub-continent, alone can carryout works of past 12 fixed curtain Antennas and its broadcasting coverage radius is four thousand kilometers.
Decision has been taken to set up news automation software at General News Rooms of Bangladesh Betar to accomplish total news bulletin making process by computer software. Customized software will also be installed in future for Live reporting in news bulletins from remote areas through i-phone, 3G technology, audio codec and hybrid telephone. Daily Monitoring Report (DMR) being prepared on Bangladesh related news items from different international radios have been published in on line. While a special weekly bulletin 'Bishwa Betare Bangladesh' from Directorate of Monitoring is projecting positive reporting and comments on Bangladesh. Besides, Bangladesh Betar has been connected to a2i Innovation Team of the Prime Minister's Office.
500 employees of different categories of the organization have been given appointment during the last four years while recruitment process of another 100 employees is underway. Besides, 147 posts have been filled up by giving promotion to new officers during this time.
Bangladesh Betar is not only broadcasting news and programmes rather it is working as the bridge to reach government development activities to the doorsteps of the people. This state owned medium will continue to discharge its national duty in future incorporating modern technologies -will inspire people to join in the mainstream of development.