Media regulation in Bhutan is governed by the Information, Communications and Media Act of 2018. Bhutan's media landscape includes state and private outlets operating under regulatory frameworks that balance press freedom with national security and cultural concerns.
Overview
Media in Bhutan is regulated under the Information, Communications and Media Act[2] of 2018 and overseen by the Bhutan InfoComm and Media Authority (BICMA). The regulatory[1] framework balances the constitutional right to freedom of expression with national security, cultural preservation, and social harmony concerns.
Media Landscape
Bhutan's media includes:
- BBS — state-owned TV and radio broadcaster
- Kuensel — the national newspaper (government-linked)
- Bhutan Observer, The Bhutanese — private newspapers
- Online media — a growing sector with less regulatory clarity
Press Freedom
Press freedom in Bhutan is constrained by several factors including small market size, government influence on advertising revenue, defamation laws, and cultural norms of deference to authority. The Namgay Zam defamation case highlighted the tensions in Bhutan's emerging media environment.
References
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