Censorship in Bhutan

Censorship in Bhutan is comparable to its South Asian neighbours, although not as focused or systematic as censorship in China.Fact|date=February 2007 Bhutan has one government majority-owned newspaper, the "Kuensel", and two private newspapers and three internet service providers. It also has three private FM radio stations.

Censorship online is comparatively lax. The official forums of the "Kuensel" allow open criticism of the government though the forums are moderated, and anyone can post from an Internet café. The forums of news portals such as the U.S.-based [http://www.bhutantimes.com The Bhutan Times] (unrelated to the "Bhutan Times" newspaper) are much less moderated; this website was temporarily blocked by BICMA, Bhutan's media regulatory body, in 2007 [ [http://news.zdnet.com/2100-9588_22-6235487.html Reclusive Bhutan uneasy as Internet pushes edge] ] .

Bhutan does not have any explicit laws regarding censorship. Even the [http://www.bhutannica.org/index.php?title=National_Security_Act_1993 National Security Act 1993] makes no mention about censorship or classified information. Rather, BICMA's censorship pattern appears to reflect individual sensitivities of people who may have been discussed online. [* [http://www.kuenselonline.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=8628 "Bhutantimes.com blocked", Kuenselonline] ] Censorship is less an issue than the general lack of access to information. Bhutan does not yet have any legislation guaranteeing the citizens' right to information. [ [http://www.kuenselonline.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=10611 Kuensel Newspaper - Right to Information Act – Power to the People ] ]

While the Royal Government of Bhutan sees the importance of a free press, it is being careful about opening up completely. During the visit of the Indian Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh to Bhutan in May 2008, only journalists from the Bhutan Broadcasting Service and Kuensel were permitted to attend the function. Free lance journalists are also not able to work in Bhutan as officials respond only to journalists from the government media or 'authorized' private media.

Bhutan's new monarch, Jigme Khesar Namgyal Wangchuck, who is western-educated and modern in his outlook has also expressed his belief that transparency in government leads to good governance.

Footnotes

References

* [http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/hrrpt/2007/100613.htm U.S. State Department report on Bhutan]
* [http://www.rsf.org/article.php3?id_article=10153 RSF]
* [http://www.mediafamily.org/mediawisecolumns/abe_mw.shtml Ancient Bhutan's Encounter with the Electronic Age]
* [http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/144/ IFEX]
* [http://kuenselonline.com/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewforum&f=3 Kuensel Online]
* [http://www.kuenselonline.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=10869 Less Free Press, Kuenselonline 28 July 2008]

External links

* [http://www.bicma.gov.bt/jcc.pdf Bhutan Code of Ethics for Journalists]