Betar Bangla is a Community Radio project, established in 2000, which serves the Bangladeshi and wider communities in East London.   Eighty-five volunteers and presenters currently facilitate our radio station.

A recent survey shows some 100,000 London-based listeners engage with our radio programmes.

…. ‘The establishment of communications, media training and learning network comprising community radio and multimedia dedicated to ethnic minority participation in the wider society’-- is our aim.

Betar Bangla 1^st started their broadcast in 26^th July 2002 from 7pm – 9pm every evening 7 days a week, delivered national and international news, musical entertainment, discussion on health, legal issues, community awareness, sports and housing, interviewing local politician about current issues with Sound Radio 1503AM. And 28 presenters were working as volunteers in the organisations that time. Worked with the local young people to develop their skills in arts and cultural activities through training and workshops. There were approx.20, 000 listeners and 5,000 website viewers for radio programme. Betar Bangla has promoted their own cultural groups in drama, music, dance and vision media activities in Tower Hamlets. It was the only radio station representing and providing a free service to the Bengali community in East London promoting Bengali cultural groups in drama, music and dance. And In our news we covered latest news from Bangladesh supplied by a news agencies ABASH.

Apart from our radio station, we provide activities and training for local and disadvantaged people with few marketable skills but an interest in a career in the creative industry.   We also run a drama group which is currently producing our Audio drama as well as a programme for young people interested in radio and video production.

In last 8 years Betar Bangla has worked with :-

Cultural Industry Development Agency (CIDA)—2002

London Development Agency (LDA)--2002

LDA and ESF--2003

Arts Council--2003-2007

European Social Funds and London Borough of Tower Hamlets--2004-2006

NRF--2006

European Social Fund---2007-2008

WNF (working neibourhood fund)--2009

CMF (corporate match fund)--2009

Earlier this year, Betar Bangla obtained an RSL License from OFCOM (Office of Communications) to broadcast on the proposed frequency of 87.7 FM. This would host a 24-hour live radio channel, to be run from July 2010.