NEWS

WIRES

OTHER

Democratic Bhutan Government Hindering Free Press

By Alan Gray, NewsBlaze

The Association of Press Freedom Activists (APFA) Bhutan reports they are concerned by the increasing government meddling against the free press even after the formation of a 'democratic' government.

Bhutan Broadcasting Service Corporation (BBSC) was recently fined for televising a discussion on taxi fares. Within a month of that fine, the Bhutan InfoCom and Media Authority (BICMA) interrogated journalists from Kuensel newspapers.

Kuensel journalists were summoned by the regulatory body because they wrote about the government interference into the BBSC. Kuensel published 'The Right to Expression,' an opinion piece about the government's desire to control the media.

During the 'interrogation' by BICMA officials, Kuensel journalists were accused of nursing a personal agenda against the government body, of willfully distorting the truth as BICMA saw it, and of trying to pull it down. BICMA then sent warning letters to the media, defending its authority. That letter said, "The penalty on the BBS was imposed as the form and manner of the panel discussion in question breached the Code of Ethics for Journalists."

APFA, the Press Freedom Association, says the government body is intimidating the press and it clearly shows they want to silence the media, even though it's mandate is to promote the free press. The authority still operates in the same way it did under the previous regime.

"The ability of media and journalists to work without fear of intimidation is a reliable indicator of a democracy's health. That is why BICMA's enforcement of a fine on the Bhutan Broadcasting Service (BBS) was worrisome. BICMA infringed on the right to expression and free press. That is why Kuensel wrote about the issue," Kuensel reporter Kencho Wangdi said.

APFA is concerned that the government regulator is far exceeding its authority, prescribing the bounds for press, ethics for journalists and guidelines for media content generation as well as instructing journalists how to hold panel discussions.

Source: Association of Press Freedom Activists (APFA) Bhutan