The release of the new rules of content for media has defined what kind of media Bhutan is to have. Many things that are not allowed according to the BICMA rules are perfectly legal and even accepted in some parts of the world. Not to say that this means that our rules are overbearing. After … Read more
The first private news paper Bhutan Times was forced to go for outsourcing to ensure its regular publication after a group of seven journalists, including its editor, resigned abruptly on October 22 afternoon saying management had undue interference on editorial issues. The problem began shortly after enthronement of Wangcha Sangey as the new executive chief … Read more
September 30: Possibly for the first time in Bhutanese history that government initiated debate on freedom of expression, independence and pluralism on which media thrives, recently in Thimphu. The gathering sponsored by UNESCO was called by the Ministry of Information and Communication where representatives from the sponsoring UN agency, government and media outlets attended, primarily … Read more
Politics has been liberal but environment for media and media workers have not changed so much in the last one year of democratic practice in Bhutan, a new report says
Entitled ‘Barren Land of Press Freedom’, the new report by Association of Press Freedom Activists (APFA) – Bhutan mentions the murky picture of media freedom and freedom of speech and expression. Media outlets have increased but still journalists work under the self-censorship environment.
With nation-wide elections on March 24, 2008, Bhutan formally stepped into democracy, ending its centuries-old absolute monarchy. There were expectations that with a written constitution being adopted, the right to free speech and the right to information would be widened and that the media would begin growing and functioning as a source of relevant information … Read more