Chencho Dema
Paro— More than 70 journalists from various media organisations, along with officials from the Department of Media, Creative Industry & Intellectual Property (DoMCIIP) and the Bhutan Information and Media Authority (BICMA), are in Paro for a two-day Annual Journalism Conference (AJC).
Organised by the Journalists’ Association of Bhutan (JAB), the conference aims to address critical challenges facing Bhutan’s media landscape.
With the theme, “Reconnecting the Journalism Fraternity”, the first day of the conference focused on key issues including attrition of senior journalists, sustainability of media outlets, declining press freedom in Bhutan, and strategies to improve access to information.
In 2024, Bhutan’s World Press Freedom Index dropped 57 places, from 90th to 147 this year.
According to Reporter Without Borders, the decline reflects growing bureaucratic obstacles, tighter controls on information, heightened self-censorship, and increasing government influence over the media.
These challenges, coupled with the shortage of experienced journalists and restrictions on information flow, have placed considerable strain on the country’s media ecosystem.
“Journalism in Bhutan has faced significant challenges in recent years, largely due to factors like high attrition rates, the struggle for commercial viability, and various professional obstacles,” said Tshering Dorji, a former reporter with Kuensel.
Yeshey Lhadon, the editor of Bhutan Today, highlighted the overwhelming burden on the remaining senior journalists, who are shouldering more than twice the responsibility of their younger counterparts. “The high attrition rate is deeply concerning. Media houses are struggling to maintain quality news coverage, and this is eroding public trust,” she said.
Journalists also face increasing difficulties in accessing information, further limiting the media’s ability to report on critical issues.
Financial sustainability continues to be a key issue for the media sector. In recent years, the number of newspapers in the country has dwindled due to financial constraints, leaving just seven active newspapers.
Further, the increasing dominance of digital media, combined with a small market for traditional print, has made it harder for media outlets to thrive.
Tshering Dorji said that the rise of digital media has created a unique dynamic, where every citizen is now empowered to gather, consume, and disseminate information. “While this has been a disruptive force for traditional media practitioners, it also raises important questions about how we are faring as a society.”
Speaking at the conference, the Executive Director of JAB, Rinzin Wangchuk, said that the presence of two directors from DoMCIIP and BICMA, along with other government officials, signifies their recognition of the media as a cornerstone in strengthening democracy.
“The strong turnout underscores the significance of this conference for our members, as we come together to deliberate on issues impacting the Association and the media industry,” he said.
As of November 25, JAB has 145 registered members.
During the conference, DoMCIIP also made a presentation on the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for access to information.
A panel discussion on access to information was also held, exploring both the opportunities and challenges facing the media in Bhutan. Journalists expressed frustration with the lack of transparency and the slow pace of government action to improve access to public records.
Returning from New Delhi, India, Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay made a pit stop at the conference, interacting with the journalists.
The conference concludes today.
