Dhaka, 30 December 2024: Eminent personalities have urged media outlets to place greater emphasis on amplifying the voices of marginalized ethnic minorities. They noted that mainstream media, which predominantly operates from the capital, often overlooks the issues faced by these communities, including indigenous and marginalized groups. Local media, particularly community radios, due to their geographical proximity and grassroots connection, are uniquely positioned to play a transformative role. By holding duty-bearers accountable, local media can bring about positive changes in the lives of these marginalized ethnic communities.
At a national learning-sharing event held in the capital, organized by SoMaSHTe today, media professionals, representatives of ethnic communities, and other distinguished individuals emphasized the urgent need to focus on these issues.
The event was organized under the project titled “Promoting the Voice of Plainland Ethnic Minorities in Civic Space through Community Media” and was chaired by Abu Alam Md. Shahid Khan, former secretary and Chairperson of SoMaSHTe. Mir Masruruzzaman, Executive Director of SoMaSHTe, presented the various aspects of the project. During the event, the toolkit “Voices of Marginalized Ethnic Communities: Community Radio Handbook” was launched.
Launched in January 2024, this one-year project, funded by the European Union and supported by Free Press Unlimited in partnership with Article 19, focused on demand-driven, inclusive, and accountable radio programming. It also engaged indigenous youths in leading program production, ensuring their active participation in content creation.
Speakers at the learning-sharing event underscored the importance of prioritizing rights-based topics such as land rights within community radio programs. They also called for addressing climate and environmental vulnerabilities while exploring solutions through such programming. The speakers further highlighted the urgency of resolving land dispute cases where indigenous people have been victims, ensuring justice is served.
The discussion also identified a significant gap in understanding indigenous issues between newsroom staff and field reporters. Collaborative efforts to bridge this divide were strongly recommended. The speakers urged the media to take proactive steps in raising awareness and prompting action at higher levels of government. Additionally, they advocated for increased support from development partners to bolster these initiatives.
Noting that the Small Ethnic Groups Cultural Institutions Act, 2010, recognizes 50 indigenous communities, the speakers pointed out that those outside this list often face deprivation of their rights. They recommended amending this law and revising state documents to officially recognize marginalized ethnic groups as Adibashi or indigenous people.
Abu Alam Md. Shahid Khan emphasized the critical role of community radio in robustly amplifying the voices of marginalized indigenous people. He called for well-structured and planned programs to bring their issues to the forefront of government attention and advocated for expanding community radio broadcast coverage to increase its impact.
The event brought together a diverse group of discussants, including Sohrab Hasan, Joint Editor of Prothom Alo; M. Khairul Kabir, former Director General of Comilla BARD; Salim Samad, Bangladesh Representative of Reporters Without Borders; Riaz Ahmed, Executive Editor of Dhaka Tribune; Zahid Newaz Khan, Head of Digital at The Business Standard; Borhanul Haque Samrat, Head of News at Mohona Television; Hasibur Rahman Bilu, Northern Region Representative of Independent Television; Shahnaz Sharmin, Senior Reporter at Ekattor TV; Atika Rahman, Senior Reporter at RTV; Farooha Suhrawardy, Community Radio Expert; Abdul Haque, Deputy Director (Programs) at Bangladesh Betar; Shamim Ara Shiuli, Bangladesh Representative of Internews; Shahid Uddin Akbar, CEO of BID Foundation; Aleya Ferdous, Station Manager of Radio Mohananda; Mehedi Hasan, Senior Station Manager of Radio Pollikantha; Mamun Hossain, Station In-Charge of Radio Nolta; and indigenous representatives Monik Soren and Archana Munda, among others.
Under the project, Radio Mohananda in Chapainawabganj, Radio Nolta in Satkhira, and Radio Pollikantha in Moulvibazar engaged indigenous youth in producing participatory and interactive programs. These programs prioritized issues such as improving quality of life, protecting human rights, and ensuring access to essential services for marginalized ethnic communities. Through these efforts, the communities were able to directly voice their concerns to stakeholders and duty-bearers of local public offices.
Community radios also facilitated face-to-face sessions between ethnic minorities and stakeholders, recording thematic programs in villages where ethnic minorities reside. These initiatives often prompted authorities to address pressing issues, leading to solutions or commitments to resolve them in many cases.