The Ministry of Information and Communications has drafted the charter of the Bhutan Media Council. The Media Council will work as an arbitrator to resolve issues between news writers and news makers.
The Department of Information and Media says the Media Council will be a credible and independent body that will promote freedom of media in the country.
The media professionals are expecting the Media Council to be an independent and neutral body.
The Managing Editor of Kuensel, Ugyen Penjor said the council must have fair representation of members with adequate media knowledge. He added as of now, there has not been an effective independent organisation to address media related issues.
“For example, we get lot of complaints from our news makers. Sometimes they are right, sometimes we media make mistakes and the damage is done… ” He said that is where the council can come in.
Needrup Zangpo, a media professional, said they suggested that media council’s constitution be as independent as possible. “Meaning that the board members of the council be nominated or elected not just from the government but also from the cross section of the society including the adequate representation from the media.”
Needrup Zangpo said if given enough independence, Media Council will be appropriate platform for journalists to grow professionally.
The Editor-in-Chief of the Bhutanese, Tenzin Lamsang said the functions of the council should be such that it should not hinder journalists’ working atmosphere.
“So, far as the composition is concerned it seems to be a fairly balanced composition because it is neither overtly government nor overtly media.”
He said the media professionals are looking at the functions and powers of the council. “We don’t want the media council which is completely powerless and we don’t want the media council which is too powerful and starts regulating the functions of journalists and micromanaging the content.”
Tenzin Lamsang said they want media council that is credible, fair and neutral.
Media Council will come through once the Bhutan Information, Communications and Media bill is endorsed in the parliament which is likely to happen in the summer session.
