Published: November 02, 2009
Bhutan Times Journalists Resign Due to Management Interference
By I. P. Adhikari
The Association of Press Freedom Activists (APFA) has condemned the actions of Bhutan Times management for imposing undue pressure on the editorial team due to which journalists have to leave the paper in group on October 22.
According to the journalists, including Editor Gopilal Acharya, the new CEO of the paper Mr. Sangey Wangcha does not have even a rudimentary editorial capability or journalistic background. Wangcha demanded that editorial meetings be held in his presence, and that a hard copy of all stories be submitted to him before being approved for print.
While preparing the October 4 issue, CEO, Mr. Sangey sat beside the editor and tried to impose his idea of how a story should be edited.
On October 12, Sangey questioned the editorial 'A drunken nation, are we' humiliating the sub-editor. He alleged that the editorial had slurred the nation. This demotivated the reporters so much that they didn't want to work under him. During the same editorial meeting, he also complained bitterly about an opinion piece filed in by a contributor.
He accused reporters of plagiarism and reminded the editor of his 'social' standing.
As the CEO, he assumed the role of de facto editor-in-chief by centralizing the newsroom around him, enforcing the following decisions:
the receptionist was to pass all incoming calls to him including those pertaining to the newsroom.
the marketing section (where the company's fax machine is installed) to collect all the fax messages and bring them directly to him including those addressed to the editor for news coverage.
reporters report directly to him.
reporters must divulge sources, file all their information in a cabinet in his chamber.
some reporters were called to his office, where he used fear tactics to be grateful to him for not throwing them out.
Mr. Sangey intimidated reporters until they started self-censoring their news and he started writing news and opinions (see October 25 issue of the paper).
He ran an ad (see October 25 issue) asking readers for their comments: "Please convey your comments, views, opinion and even news, information tips to Bhutan Times at email: btimesmd@gmail.com or call 17116384," - his personal mobile number.
To support and promote independent journalism and to live by the ethics of media practitioners, all seven journalists walked out of the company.
APFA appreciates their sacrifice and calls it a milestone for media freedom in the new democracy. Political and business leaders in Bhutan for a long time suppressed the media, in order to protect their own interests. Following the publication of Bhutan Times as the first private newspaper in Bhutan, many unreported but unethical activities of business and political leaders have come to the surface. Bhutan Times Management has now used its force to compel the journalists work for their own interests. However, the seven journalists took the bold step to defy management orders and censorship.
APFA supports an independent press in this new democracy. For democracy to flourish, media has an important role to play. Subduing the media is directly or indirectly linked to subduing the budding democracy.
APFA does not want to see this pioneer media die. Already hit by financial crisis, the management must create an environment whereby the journalists can return to their newsroom and work independently, without any force or fear. Journalists, not management should decide what goes in news and editorials.
I. P. Adhikari is the President of the Association of Press Freedom Activists, www.apfanews.com
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