In view of the increasing incidents of extreme challenges content creators take part in on social media platforms, especially on TikTok, the Home Affairs Ministry issued a public notification on Wednesday, cautioning Bhutanese content creators against potential disharmony and harm to the community. While there is no particular law to deter content on every online platform, as of now the Bhutan InfoComm and Media Authority (BICMA) Rules and Regulations on Content, Information, Communications and Media Act of Bhutan (ICM) and the Penal Code of Bhutan serve as a standard.
As per the Chief of the Department of Law and Order at the Ministry of Home Affairs, the TikTok usage notification is intended to prevent incidents similar to challenges content creators pursue in other countries, such as encouraging individuals to jump off hills, into water bodies, or even engage in shooting incidents.
Additionally, the chief stated that issues with TikTok arise when people participate in challenges that involve extreme punishments. Moreover, any speech that can incite regional division, defamation, or risk international relations is a concern.
Such TikTok challenges and hate speech pose significant risks, impacting mental well-being of content creators and viewers, while also fuelling hatred and conflicts, often in pursuit of rewards.
“In Bhutan, at the moment, I am not saying that TikTokers have actually resorted to extreme acts. But there is a likely chance, it’s a matter of time. Challenges can be very life-threatening in the first place and in the second place it creates a lot of hatred and lots of fights. When these things happen, it disturbs the communal harmony and unity also,” said Karma Dorji, Chief of the Department of Law and Order.
The Chief said that it is mostly the youths who participate in such challenges.
So far, the department has received only a single complaint against a person due to their behaviour on the platform. Other than that, they haven’t received any other complaints, till now.
BICMA’s Rules and Regulations on Content 2019 prohibits content that incites religious, ethnic, regional, or communal conflict, and mandates individuals to refrain from sensationalizing issues to mislead or alarm the public. According to the rule, contents must respect individual privacy, and people should refrain from naming and shaming except when proven guilty by the Royal Court of Justice or in the public interest.
Additionally, all forms of sexually explicit material, including nudity, sexual activity like kissing, and obscene terminology, are strictly prohibited.
“TikTok doesn’t create much disturbance in the community, I think everyone is benefitting from it. Many people without proper jobs are also earning a living from it. However, I am not blaming everyone, but few are showing bad behaviour, using it inappropriately. For those, government must have given this responsibility to some organisations or agencies, if they could monitor it well, I think there won’t be any issues,” said Pema Tenzin, a resident.
“I think we don’t really need a well-known rules and regulations. As a personal user, we need to know what is right, they already have international rules and regulations and policies. As long as we follow that one, I don’t think we need separate rules and regulations for TikTok,” said Sonam Choden, another resident.
Home Affairs Ministry, BICMA, and GovTech Agency monitor social media platforms for compliance.
Offenders on TikTok will be penalised as per the Penal Code and the Bhutan Information Communications and Media Act.
Despite concerns, TikTok users need not fear an immediate ban.
Tenzin Loday Gyeltshen and Pema Tshomo
Edited by Phub Gyem
