Is the media in Bhutan facing significant challenges? In April this year, the Journalists’ Association of Bhutan surveyed 80 per cent of registered journalists, and the report is alarming. Nearly 90 per cent rated the media environment as “average” or “poor.” Financial collapse, legal blind spots, bureaucratic roadblocks and creeping self-censorship are attributed to weakening independent reporting nationwide.
The findings reveal a complex web of challenges.
Advertising revenues have collapsed, and tighter government procurement rules have choked off essential funding, forcing even state outlets to shut down more than half of their regional offices.
“We do not receive any form of government subsidy. In fact, the last government subsidy that Kuensel received was in 1998. Since then government has stopped providing subsidies to Kuensel. That means Kuensel has been operating as an autonomous, independent news organisation, depending on ad revenue and then printing revenue,” said Kinley Tshering, Managing Editor, Kuensel.
According to the report, the financial squeeze has also driven many reporters out of the profession, leaving those who remain grappling with low pay, shrinking teams, and the constant fear of stepping out of line.
More than 80 per cent of respondents admit to self-censoring sensitive stories to avoid legal risks or management disapproval.
“Post 2008, the media landscape was very vibrant for a few years. But due to a series of austerity measures, especially from all the governments to date, I think that has really impacted the media because it has shrunk it. Post democracy, every democratic institution has done well. But the only important institution that has not done well and gone in the reverse direction is the media,” said Tenzin Lamsang, Editor, The Bhutanese.
Moreover, in nearly half of the country’s newsrooms, the roles of CEO and editor‑in‑chief are held by the same person, raising concerns about a conflict of interest.
Adding to the strain, Bhutan still lacks a Right to Information Act. Ninety per cent of survey respondents called this omission a “glaring gap.”
Journalists report spending weeks chasing data through informal channels or hitting bureaucratic dead ends.
“One main challenge that journalists face is that civil servants are scared to talk to journalists directly, with the fear that they might end up losing their jobs or maybe they will be questioned by their superiors. So the bureaucratic process about how journalists have to obtain information is such a hassle right now,” said Kinzang Lhadon, a reporter with BBS.
“Just recently, I did some news, and I had to contact a department in one of the ministries. I called the official and sent him a message, too, but I did not receive any response. Then I followed the proper channel through the media focal, but he still did not provide any response. I think due to such reasons, we cannot provide timely news,” said Samten Dolkar, another reporter with BBS.
On the other hand, the dissolution of the independent Media Council in 2023 removed the one body that is charged with upholding journalistic standards and protecting reporters, a move that many fear has only deepened media vulnerability.
Yet amid the turmoil, a remarkable 83 per cent of Bhutanese journalists say they remain committed to their work.
Journalists are calling for four straightforward fixes: a Right to Information law, an independent press council, stronger legal protections, and a dedicated media fund to keep newsrooms alive and watchdogs vigilant.
Without them, Bhutan risks silencing its own media and weakening the very democracy it serves.
Namgay Dema
Edited by Tandin Phuntsho
