Media laws at Bhutan
Bhutan's media landscape is governed by a framework that emphasizes the balance between freedom of expression and national interests. Here's an overview of the key aspects of Bhutanese media laws:
Legal Framework
Information, Communications and Media Act of Bhutan 2018
The 2018 Act serves as the cornerstone of Bhutan's media regulation, superseding the 2006 Ac. Key provisions include:
*Bhutan InfoComm and Media Authority (BICMA): Oversees media and ICT sectors, with board members appointed by the governmen.
*Media Council: An independent body aimed at promoting and protecting media freedom and independenc.
*National Film Commission: Responsible for the development of the film industr.However, concerns have been raised about the concentration of power within BICMA, as its members are directly appointed by the government, potentially impacting media independenc.
📰 Press Freedom and Challenge Bhutan's press freedom ranking has experienced a significant declie:
*2022: 33rd plce
*2023: 90th plce
*2024: 147th plce
This decline is attributed to factors such s:
*Limited Access to Information: Journalists face challenges in obtaining state-held information, hindering their ability to report effectivey
*Self-Censorship: Concerns over legal repercussions lead to self-censorship among media professionas.
*Defamation Laws: eting defamation laws and national security provisions can deter journalists from reporting freey
🎥 Media Landscape
Kuensel the state-owned national newspaper, published in both English and Dzongha.
Bhutan Broadcasting Service (BBS) the national broadcaster, offering news and entertainment across multiple platfoms.
Private Media Publications like The Bhutan Times and Bhutan Observer emerged during Bhutan's transition to democracy but face economic challenges and limited readersip.
🧭 Ethical Guidelies
Bhutan's media ethics are outlined in the Code of Ethics for Journalists, which includes provision on:
Protection of Source: Journalists are expected to protect the confidentiality of their souces.
Respect for Privac: Invasion of privacy is prohibited unless there's an overriding public inteest.
National Interes: Journalists must prioritize national interest and security, refraining from reporting that could incite conflicts or undermine sovereinty.
⚖️ Legal Accountabilty
Defamation remains a criminal offense in Bhutan, with penalties that can include fines or imprisonet.Additionally, the national security law penalizes actions that could create "misunderstanding or hostility between the government and the people," which can impact journalistic fredom.
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