THE TRULY BHUTANESE NEWSPAPER
presents.

CHALLENGES OF THE PRINT MEDIA IN BHUTAN
The media is absolutely essentialto the functioning of a democracy
Amy Goodman
"A free press is not a privilege but an organic necessityin a great society.
Walter Lippman
..it is the media that must
foster transparency and accountability
in government and create a responsible public sector.
Siok Sian Pek and Kinley Dorjiin The Bhutanese Media: In the service of the public
media forms the bridgebetween the people and the ruling government.
AchyutBhandari inThe media must be a democratiser, DrukpaJanuary 2011.
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CHALLENGES OF THE PRINT MEDIA
ADVERTISING
After a give year-spurt of dizzying growth, what now seems to be stifling the Bhutanese media? Ask around and you get one common response advertisements.
Mitra Raj, Advertise This, Drukpa, January 2011.
Media are forced to rely on the government for 80-90% of their advertising revenue.
Advertisers can dictate content.People do play the ad card. Not just from the private sector but from the government also..
Editor -Media Development Assessment 2010
Business interests interfere in the newsroom..We cannot run on an empty stomach
Former Editor - Media Development Assessment 2010
CHALLENGES OF THE PRINT MEDIA
ELECTION ADVERTISING
2008 - Bhutans first election
English-only
Limited reach
Limited readership.
Election advertising
2010
2008
2010 Local government elections
CHALLENGES OF THE PRINT MEDIA
DZONGKHA PUBLICATIONS
Government policy requires newspapers to produce a Dzongkha publication.
Bhutan Observer publishesasix-page Dzongkha edition, DrukNelug.
The Observer believes that the media should cater to the rural 80% of ourpopulation, whohave little use knowledge of English, and NOT just to the urban elite 20% of our population.
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YES
YES
NO
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CHALLENGES OF THE PRINT MEDIA
PRINTNG COSTS AND RURAL DISTRIBUTION
Distribution of newspapers isnt easy in a country like Bhutan with its rugged geographical topography and a poor infrastructural network system across the country.
Media Development Assessment 2010

THIMPHU