Role of Community Radio (CR) in climate changes issues in Bangladesh: a case study of Radio Nalta, Kaligonj, Satkhira

Abstract

Community radio is well recognized as a powerful vehicle for advocacy and social change in Bangladesh, but its use in the field of climate change has remained very limited. This dissertation discussed the role of Radio Nalta in climate changes issues in Satkhira district and the impacts of climate change on vulnerable communities in Satkhira. It also discussed in climate justice initiatives more broadly. Most initiatives linking Nalta Radio and climate change in developing countries currently focus on delivering information and messages to listeners about short and medium-term forecasts for farmers, alerts for extreme weather events, and messaging to discourage behaviour which degrades environmental assets. Nalta radio is broadcasting few programmes in 17 km from the station but 74% of listeners agreed the station is playing good role in awareness creation among the people about temperature rise. Highest 87% people believe that Radio Nalta is helping in very good way to create awareness among the people. About 65% listeners agreed that the Nalta Radio is playing good role in awareness creation about salinity in the locality. Radio Nalta is playing very good role in creating awareness among the people and 83% people believe it. 78% people seem that Radio Nalta is playing good role in increasing soil fertilely while 82% listeners believe that it is playing very good role in awareness creation about river erosion among the listeners. But in case of overall performance Nalta Radio is playing good (78%) role in awareness creation among the listeners about climate changes issues in Satkhira District. Before launching Radio Nalta the listeners had little knowledge about climate change issues but the scenario is changing gradually. The quality and subject matter of the programmes of radio Nalta is good but the broadcasting time of climate change related programmes is not suitable for the relevant listeners. But the listeners have scope to give feedback about programmes through letter, telephone, mobile phone and short message service (SMS). It is also mentionable that the radio authority is broadcasting the programme in local language and they are trying to disseminate the information about climate change related programmes through advertisement.