THIMPHU, Bhutan – The hushed reverence of the hall, punctuated by the gentle rustle of serthra silk gho, held a particular weight on the evening of May 10. As the minister for Industry, Commerce and Employment (MoICE), Namgyal Dorji, stepped to the podium at the National Journalism Awards 2025, a palpable sense of anticipation filled the air.
The minister’s keynote address, however, was not one solely of congratulations. It was a thoughtful, at times impassioned, assessment of a recent press freedom ranking that had cast a long shadow over Bhutan’s vibrant media landscape.
The puzzling plunge in press freedom ranking
After extending warm greetings and acknowledging the vital role of journalists in upholding truth and fostering understanding, Minister Namgyal Dorji tone shifted, becoming more reflective. “And yet,” he posed, his gaze sweeping across the assembled media fraternity, “I must ask—are we being seen clearly?” The question hung in the air, heavy with the implications of the Reporters Without Borders’ (RSF) 2025 Press Freedom Index, which had placed Bhutan at a jarring 152nd position. The minister did not mince his words. “That number shocked many of us—not just because of how low it is, but because it doesn’t seem to align with what we know to be true.”
The minister laid out the counter-narrative: the absence of jailed journalists, the freedom of media outlets, the consistent governmental support for independent journalism, and Bhutan’s impressive 18th ranking on Transparency International’s Corruption Perception Index – the highest in South Asia. “So what’s going on? Whose story is this?” he questioned, his voice tinged with concern.
Challenging western-centric metrics
While acknowledging the value of global feedback, Lyonpo Namgyal Dorji challenged the methodology and underlying assumptions of the RSF ranking. “The Press Freedom Index, for instance, appears to prioritise structural and economic limitations over actual freedoms exercised,” he argued. “In doing so, it reflects a heavily Western, market-driven, and individualistic view of media – where press freedom is equated with private ownership, market competition, and adversarial journalism.”
He offered a contrasting perspective rooted in Bhutan’s unique societal fabric. “Bhutan’s context is different. Ours is a deeply cohesive society, where the press plays its role within a framework of mutual respect, social harmony, and shared responsibility.” Lyonpo emphasised that freedom in Bhutan is not characterised by loud confrontation but by a lasting balance, where the media is seen as a crucial partner in nation-building, not merely a performer in a competitive market.
Lyonpo Namgyal Dorji then drew attention to the chilling categorisation within the RSF report. “Bhutan, at 152nd, has now been placed in this ‘red zone’,” he stated, allowing the gravity of the classification to sink in. “Let that sink in—we are now in the same category as countries where journalists face imprisonment, violence, and even death.” He quoted the RSF’s regional analysis, highlighting the alarming phrase “mass destruction of journalism,” and expressed his bewilderment at Bhutan being painted with the same brush.
Disbelief and a call for introspection
“Frankly, when I read that, I was left stunned,” he confessed. “What are we doing in this category? In a country where journalists work without fear of persecution, where no editor has been jailed or exiled, where there are no blacklists or propaganda departments? Where have the last two years of deliberate steps—like institutionalising access to public information and financially supporting independent media—gone?” Minister’s voice carried a note of genuine disbelief. “To be ranked 152nd—below countries experiencing actual media crackdowns, war, or disinformation regimes—is not just puzzling; it is bewildering.” Turning directly to the assembled media professionals, the minister posed a crucial question: “Whose story is this? Whose lens produced this narrative? And most importantly—did we help write it, knowingly or not?”
Personal reflections and Government support
The minister then shared a personal anecdote, recounting his encouragement to a critical columnist, underlying the value placed on dissent and diverse perspectives within Bhutanese democracy. He even cited the Prime Minister’s recent commendation of a critical media voice, highlighting the government’s respect for varied viewpoints. “Now tell me—where else does this happen?” he asked rhetorically, emphasising the stark contrast with the RSF’s portrayal.
Lyonpo Namgyal Dorji then presented a perplexing anomaly in the rankings’ trajectory. He pointed out that during the early years of Bhutanese democracy, when the media was arguably at its most nascent and boldly pluralistic, the country’s ranking was a modest 70-71. Ironically, in 2022, amidst unprecedented financial challenges for media houses post-pandemic, Bhutan’s ranking soared to an all-time high of 33rd. And now, despite increased government support and initiatives like the 2023 Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for improved access to information, the ranking had plummeted.
“This inverse trajectory—a negative correlation between actual support and external evaluation—raises deeper questions about the relevance, representativeness, and cultural sensitivity of the very metrics that claim to assess freedom,” he argued, his tone shifting from bewilderment to concern. “And if we follow that logic, maybe we should aim to be 180 next year—just so the world notices. But this isn’t sarcasm—it’s a concern. A deep one.”
Appeal to media professionals
The minister issued a direct call to action to the media professionals present. “These rankings rely heavily on surveys filled by practicing journalists, those who’ve exited the profession, and media commentators. Your responses form the backbone of the RSF score. Are we being honest in our assessments? Are frustrations clouding our judgment? Are we feeding a narrative that doesn’t reflect our shared reality?” He emphasised that this was not about defensiveness but about a shared responsibility to ensure a fair and context-aware assessment of Bhutan’s media landscape.
Lyonpo delved deeper into the Bhutanese context, reiterating that freedom of speech in the nation has always been about balance and exercising rights within a framework of harmony and mutual respect. He invoked the foundational principles of Bhutanese governance, citing Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal’s emphasis on the government’s duty to enhance the happiness of the people. He even offered a historical perspective on information management, referencing the strategic secrecy surrounding the Zhabdrung’s passing as an act of national preservation, drawing a parallel to the Western concept of “classified information.”
He also reminded the audience that democracy in Bhutan was a gift of visionary leadership, not a demand born out of conflict. He connected this legacy to His Majesty’s vision for the future, emphasising the media’s crucial role in shaping that future, not just reporting on it.
Renewed commitment
Acknowledging the existing challenges within the media landscape, Lyonpo outlined concrete steps being taken by the government: a rapid assessment of the RSF rankings, the co-development of a Bhutan Media Perception Index with the Journalists’ Association of Bhutan (JAB) to provide context-sensitive insights, continued financial support for private newspapers and radio stations, investments in media literacy and data journalism, and the strengthening of platforms like the Thimphu Press Club in collaboration with media organisations.
Despite the serious nature of his address, Lyonpo Namgyal Dorji concluded on an optimistic note. “Tonight, we celebrate not just the Fourth Estate—but the excellence it continues to produce,” he affirmed, offering his congratulations to the award recipients and encouraging young journalists to remain grounded, curious, and courageous. He expressed his gratitude to JAB and other media partners for their tireless work and integrity. “Let us use this evening not just to celebrate, but to recommit: to truth, to fairness, and to Bhutan, our beloved Drukyul,” he declared, his voice filled with conviction. “I Thank you, and Tashi Delek!”
As the minister concluded his address, the Master of Ceremony (MC), Sherab Dorji, called to the audience, “How many of you participated in the RSF’s survey?”. Of the 100 audience members, only three raised their hands, which clearly indicated that the survey didn’t represent Bhutan’s media landscape, according to the MC.
The path forward
The minister’s words had not just challenged a global ranking; they had invited a deeper reflection on the very definition of press freedom and the importance of context in understanding a nation’s unique media landscape. The story of Bhutan’s press, it seemed, was far more nuanced and complex than a single number could ever convey. The Lyonpo’s message was that the task now lay with Bhutan’s media fraternity to ensure their story, their reality, was heard and understood.
RSF’s report
The RSF report stated that although physical attacks against journalists are the most visible violations of press freedom, economic pressure is also a major, more insidious problem. The economic indicator on the RSF World Press Freedom Index now stands at an unprecedented, critical low as its decline continued in 2025. “As a result, the global state of press freedom is now classified as a “difficult situation” for the first time in the history of the Index,” the report stated.
At a time when press freedom is experiencing a worrying decline in many parts of the world, a major — yet often underestimated — factor is seriously weakening the media: economic pressure. “Much of this is due to ownership concentration, pressure from advertisers and financial backers, and public aid that is restricted, absent or allocated in an opaque manner,” the RSF stated. The data measured by the RSF Index’s economic indicator clearly shows that today’s news media are caught between preserving their editorial independence and ensuring their economic survival.
