Television is an important medium to disseminate information. It is particularly valuable for those living in far-flung areas to stay up to date with major events happening both within and outside the country. However, a few households in Tsirang have remained without television signals for quite some time now. With the National Assembly elections around the corner, they say that the need for television signals has become even more urgent.
People of Doonglagang Gewog in Tsirang could not watch television for almost one and a half years now.
Due to the disruption of signals, television sets are left covered with clothes or remain idle in most homes.
People say that they miss out on daily news, other urgent information, and programmes that are being broadcast on two channels of the Bhutan Broadcasting Service or BBS.
Some people are watching the news online on mobile phones which they say is expensive due to high data charges.
“These days, everyone in our gewog is talking about not having cable signals. We couldn’t watch BBS news for so long now. Having access to television news will help us choose the right political candidate for the upcoming National Assembly elections,” said Phuntsho Wangdi, a resident.
“For literate people like us, we can get news and other important information from social media and other sources. But television is crucial for those who are illiterate because the majority of people here can’t read. We called and informed about the problem personally and through the local leaders but the cable operator said he would come and fix the problem which never happened until now,” said Pema Yangzom, another resident.
“Television signals used to last only 15 days to a month even when they come to fix the problem. The problem would reoccur. It could be due to the lack of competent technicians to fix the problems,” said Budhi Man Pradhan, who is also a resident.
The story is no different in Tsirang Toed and Semjong Gewogs. People say it is a loss for them to pay installment charges when it doesn’t serve the purpose.
“Television, particularly BBS is useful for elderly people and children. It keeps us informed about national and international news and also we can learn about age-old cultures and traditions through various programmes broadcast on BBS. But we are unhappy with the current cable service,” said Karma Lhaden, a resident.
Meanwhile, the cable operator, over a telephone interview, said he tried to cater reliable cable service.
However, he said, his company had to disconnect cable lines for the three gewogs of Doonglagang, Semjong and Tsirang Toed from the source in Thimphu TechPark some seven months ago after the Bhutan Infocomm and Media Authority cancelled his license following complaints from customers. Nonetheless, the cable operator added, he is exploring and planning to resume cable services in the three gewogs by next month.
Pema Tshewang, Tsirang
Edited by Phub Gyem
