What does World Press Freedom mean in Bhutan and Bhutanese Media
The Door of the World Press Freedom Day 2012 opens in few days time, it is also the time for Bhutanese media to reflect on what does Press Freedom mean to the Bhutanese Media.
In the statement by Joint Message by UN Secretary-General, Mr Ban Ki-moon and UNESCO Director-General Ms Irina Bokova
on the occasion of the World Press Freedom Day stated that ” Freedom of expression is one of our most precious rights” For Bhutan, the Nation known for Gross National Happiness, this statement if well upheld Constitution of Kingdom of Bhutan itself. The Article 7(2) and 7(5).
The joint Statement further elaborates “We call on States, professional media and non-governmental
organisations everywhere to join forces with the United Nations to promote online and offline freedom of expression in accordance with internationally accepted
principles.” But this statements also under the accepted principles of the nations in the world.
Thus, while media shall enjoy complete freedom to express and right to information, they should also upheld interest of the nation and sovereignty. Their right to information and freedom of expression does not give the media the right to reflect individual opinion reflecting as the opinion of the rest of the people nor be driven by politically motivated expressions.
Therefore, on this important occasion, it is the responsibility of each and every media, the reporters, the editors and rest of the crew to reflect on their performance of the last one year.
It is also the day for media to sensitize the importance of role of media in strengthening this young democracy and its democratic values.
It is also the day for the media to become one the finest and most credible vehicle or tool that will corrupt corruption, promote values, preserve our pristine environment and conserve our culture and traditions.
In nut shell, this day is the day for the media not only to promote and fight for freedom of expression but also to look back on what they have done for the past one year and realize their mistake if any and build their credibility.
On World Press Freedom Day we acknowledge the good work of our news media as they continue to push boundaries on stories that help us understand what’s happening in Bhutan.
We wish for our press to uphold credibility and professionalism and to work harder at giving us more inclusive views from a cross section of Bhutan. Many newspapers lament the lack of funds and resources to report from outside urban areas, and this requires urgent attention.
As we reflect on world press freedom day, we want quality content in our press – which means ethical, balanced and fair reporting. At the press freedom day forum held at the RTC ( Thimphu College) on May 3rd, several people talked about being “victims” of the press – alleging being misreported, others asked if the press reports the truth and what it does to get to the truth of stories. One other youth thought the media is not doing enough to cover stories fro the east. These are all valid points and we thank those who provided the feedback.
Bhutanese need a more comprehensive reflection of Bhutan in the news media to enable our democracy to thrive. But let’s not just have the negative stories alone – corruption, abuse of authority, shortcomings in development projects etc. are all important, but what about the good stuff? The positive developments that make us proud to be Bhutanese? Can we have more role models, exemplars of wisdom and compassion, and the good youth, good citizen, good policies that have benefitted people, the hard work and struggle that has paid off, the happy turn out kind of stories? Can our press give us a little more hope and inspiration?
As the documentarians of our present and the repository of our history, the press has a critical role in capturing Bhutan in all its dimensions – the black, the white, and the grey in -between.
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