Friday, May 9, 2025
  • Contact Us
  • About BBS
  • Privacy & Policy
ENG
DZO
BBSCL Logo
  • Home
  • Business
  • Politics
  • Sports
  • Education
  • More
    • Announcement
    • Programme
    • Radio Dzo-Channel Schedule
    • Radio Mix-Channel Schedule
Radio Live
No Result
View All Result
BBSCL logo
  • Home
  • Business
  • Politics
  • Sports
  • Education
  • More
    • Announcement
    • Programme
    • Radio Dzo-Channel Schedule
    • Radio Mix-Channel Schedule
No Result
View All Result
BBSCL logo
Radio LIVE

Bhutan’s ranking in World Press Freedom Index improves but media still operate in ‘problematic environment’

May 3, 2021
in Uncategorized
Reading Time: 2 mins read
0
0
SHARES
1
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Practising journalists in the country have had their share of troubles while gathering information and reporting on various issues. Although Bhutan is ranked 65th by the World Press Freedom Index, two positions up from last year, the country is still identified as ‘orange’. It means media in Bhutan operate in a problematic environment. Many Bhutanese journalists agreed with the report and said that access to information especially in bureaucratic offices is still a major challenge.

The 2021 World Press Freedom Index compiled by a France based organisation, Reporters Without Borders, states that self-censorship is a major inhibitor in the freedom of the press in Bhutan.

Coinciding with the World Press Freedom Day today, the Journalist Association of Bhutan (JAB) also launched the Bhutan Press Mirror journal. It also highlighted the difficulty in getting access to information.

“Access to information is still one of the major challenges we are facing today. Even if we go out, there are so many bureaucratic processes where we need to seek permission. That is why reporters are reluctant to go to the field. Without information, people will not know what is happening. We have to inform the nation and the people,” said Rinzin Wangchuk, the President of JAB.

He also said that the major problem lies in the bureaucratic sector that has devised more ways to delay access to information discouraging many from pursuing impactful stories. Meanwhile, many journalists in the print BBS spoke to also shared that the freedom of the press is poor in the country although it is inscribed in the constitution.

“A lot of people feel uncomfortable talking to young reporters especially if they feel that they might misquote or make mistakes. It is good to hear that the ranking has improved but I think what matters to us is access to information and timely information especially when you work in a daily newspaper. The government has been very helpful, they have been very cooperative. But I think there is a flaw in the system where for example if you talk to a bureaucrat who has the information, the system does not allow them to be as open as the elected leaders,” said Ugyen Penjor, the CEO of Kuensel.

However, the Prime Minister, Dr Lotay Tshering, said that the government will support all forms of media in Bhutan provided journalists report correct news. The Prime Minister also said he will consult the Royal Civil Service Commission to ease the journalists’ access to the information given the commission’s apolitical status. However, the media fraternity needs to submit a concrete proposal.

Today, in Bhutan, many reporters seek permission or send prepared questions before an official interview is granted.

The World Press Freedom Index is evaluated based on media independence, transparency, respect for the safety and freedom of journalists and the environment where they operate.

Tshering Dendup

Previous Post

Looming threat of another lockdown in Samdrup Jongkhar after a woman tests positive from community

Next Post

Home Minister submits resignation letter to the National Assembly Speaker

Next Post
Home Minister submits resignation letter to the National Assembly Speaker

Home Minister submits resignation letter to the National Assembly Speaker

BNCA penalising establishments for not displaying ‘no smoking sign’

BNCA penalising establishments for not displaying 'no smoking sign'

Health Ministry establishes mobile flu clinic permanently in Thimphu and Phuentshogling

Health Ministry establishes mobile flu clinic permanently in Thimphu and Phuentshogling

Please login to join discussion

RECOMMENDED NEWS

DPT to submit a petition to His Majesty

12 years ago
8

Druk-gi Nyagoe goes to Phuntsho Wangdi from Trongsa

11 years ago
25
Deadline for Gelephu International Airport Fixed-Term Deposit programme extended

Deadline for Gelephu International Airport Fixed-Term Deposit programme extended

4 months ago
180
𝗕𝗵𝘂𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗲𝘀𝗲 𝗮𝗹𝗹-𝘄𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗻 𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗿𝘆 𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗺 𝘄𝗶𝗻𝘀 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗱𝗲𝗯𝘂𝘁 𝗶𝗻 𝗦𝗶𝗸𝗸𝗶𝗺, 𝗜𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗮

𝗕𝗵𝘂𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗲𝘀𝗲 𝗮𝗹𝗹-𝘄𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗻 𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗿𝘆 𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗺 𝘄𝗶𝗻𝘀 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗱𝗲𝗯𝘂𝘁 𝗶𝗻 𝗦𝗶𝗸𝗸𝗶𝗺, 𝗜𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗮

2 weeks ago
64

BROWSE BY CATEGORIES

  • Accidents (14)
  • Agriculture (414)
  • Announcement (170)
  • Business (729)
  • Crime/Legal (361)
  • Culture (40)
  • Development (48)
  • Disaster (56)
  • Economy (268)
  • Education (401)
  • Entertainment (10)
  • Environment (52)
  • Feature (65)
  • Featured (6)
  • Festival (77)
  • GMC (10)
  • Headlines (10)
  • Health (609)
  • Legal (51)
  • Literature (9)
  • Livestock (73)
  • Media (22)
  • Other Stories (5,422)
  • Politics (418)
  • RCSC (1)
  • Recent stories (6)
  • Religion (42)
  • Sci/Tech (707)
  • Social (473)
  • Sports (441)
  • Technology (190)
  • Tourism (17)
  • Uncategorized (13,865)
  • Video (128)
  • Video Story (240)
  • Wildlife (39)

BROWSE BY TOPICS

Tender Announcement Vacancy Announcement

POPULAR NEWS

  • BPC’s investigation rules out transformer short circuit as Damchhu forest fire cause

    Viral video of Bhutanese man assaulted by locals and police in Jaigaon sparks safety concerns

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • A centenarian’s recipe to longevity

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Post-mortem confirms foul play: Progress in investigation of 24-year-old woman’s death

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Newspaper accuses DPT candidate of political ploy

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Man sentenced to 14 years in prison for raping 12-year-old girl

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
BBSCL

Bhutan Broadcasting Service (BBS) is Bhutan’s primary national broadcaster, delivering diverse news and entertainment in multiple languages, fostering cultural understanding and public knowledge.

Follow us on social media:

Recent News

  • Nu 6.5bn lost yearly to alcohol-related issues in the country
  • Three key actions adopted to support Gelephu Mindfulness City vision
  • Strengthening mental health support in schools
  • Punakha’s Dato farm road to see major repairs
  • Samrang residents await trade route

News Category

  • Accidents
  • Agriculture
  • Announcement
  • Business
  • Crime/Legal
  • Culture
  • Development
  • Disaster
  • Economy
  • Education
  • Entertainment
  • Environment
  • Feature
  • Featured
  • Festival
  • GMC
  • Headlines
  • Health
  • Legal
  • Literature
  • Livestock
  • Media
  • Other Stories
  • Politics
  • RCSC
  • Recent stories
  • Religion
  • Sci/Tech
  • Social
  • Sports
  • Technology
  • Tourism
  • Uncategorized
  • Video
  • Video Story
  • Wildlife
  • Contact Us
  • About BBS
  • Privacy & Policy

© 2024 BBSCL. All rights reserved.

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password? Sign Up

Create New Account!

Fill the forms below to register

All fields are required. Log In

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In

Add New Playlist

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Business
  • Politics
  • Sports
  • Education
  • More
    • Announcement
    • Programme
    • Radio Dzo-Channel Schedule
    • Radio Mix-Channel Schedule

© 2024 BBSCL. All rights reserved.