Censorship in Bhutan
Encyclopedia
Censorship in Bhutan refers to the way in which the Government of Bhutan controls information within its borders. There are no laws that either guarantee citizens' right to information or define or structure censorship. However, censorship in Bhutan is still conducted by restrictions on the ownership of media outlets, licensing of journalists, and the blocking of websites.
, five private newspapers
, several magazines, and three internet service providers. It also has three private FM radio stations.
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. Freelance journalists are also not able to work in Bhutan as officials respond only to journalists from the government media or 'authorized' private media.
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 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.
Controls over media
Bhutan has one government majority-owned newspaper, the KuenselKuensel
Kuensel is the national newspaper of Bhutan. It was the only local newspaper available in Bhutan until 2006 when two more newspapers were launched. The government of Bhutan owns 51 percent of Kuensel while 49 percent is held by the public.-History:...
, five private newspapers
Media of Bhutan
The various media of Bhutan have historically been government-controlled, although this has changed in recent years. The country has its own newspapers, television and radio broadcasters and Internet Service Providers.- Journalism :...
, several magazines, and three internet service providers. It also has three private FM radio stations.
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. Freelance journalists are also not able to work in Bhutan as officials respond only to journalists from the government media or 'authorized' private media.
Censorship on the internet
Censorship online is comparatively lax. The official forums of the KuenselKuensel
Kuensel is the national newspaper of Bhutan. It was the only local newspaper available in Bhutan until 2006 when two more newspapers were launched. The government of Bhutan owns 51 percent of Kuensel while 49 percent is held by the public.-History:...
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 The Bhutan Times (unrelated to the Bhutan Times
Bhutan Times
The Bhutan Times is Bhutan's first privately owned newspaper, and only the second in the country after the government owned and autonomous Kuensel...
newspaper) are much less moderated; this website was temporarily blocked by BICMA, Bhutan's media regulatory body, in 2007.