The National Film Awards has introduced a new set of honours called the Viewers’ Choice Awards. The winners of the viewers’ choice awards are selected based on the decision of the audience. But the voting process which involves sms voting and bulk voting has been met with criticism from some people.
BBS’ story on the Viewer’s Choice Awards held on Wednesday night received a lot of criticism from the public. Most of the comments questioned why the votes were not free.
According to one commenter, despite the winners being talented and deserving, he said the voting policy was not good.
Another commented that money is the winner and that money would get the votes. It’s the “best way to loot the public” said one comment.
And another said that money was powerful.
The majority of the comments on the post called for the voting system to be free of charge.
BBS also talked to some people who shared the same views but they refused to come on camera.
In the recent viewers’ choice awards, a person needed to vote through SMS to take part. A voter could choose to either place one vote which cost Nu 10 or uses bulk voting with amounts ranging from Nu 100 to 5,000.
Meanwhile, according to the Film Association of Bhutan, the organiser of the awards, they decided to monetise the votes to ensure a fair voting process and so that people vote carefully.
“We had 18 films competing this time. A person would have voted for all 18 films if it was free. That would not qualify as a worthy Viewer’s Choice Award. However, if we have to spend money since it is hard-earned money, the vote will go to the most deserving contestant,” said Kinga Kinley Tshering, a member of the Board of Trustees of the Film Association of Bhutan.
He added although this voting system is on a pilot basis, it will be continued for the next two years.
Meanwhile, according to the Bhutan InfoComm and Media and Authority, bulk voting is allowed till Nu 5,000.
Tashi Yangden
Edited by Yeshi Gyaltshen
