Bhutan Media Development Assessment

The Media Development Assessment 2010 is an evaluation of the rapidly changing media climate in Bhutan. The study, based on the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) media development indicators (MDIs), is the first of its kind to be conducted in the country.

This assessment of MDIs provides analysis of the media and communications environment in Bhutan against internationally accepted standards and principles. The indicators delineate critical areas of media development, ranging from freedom of expression and diversity of media to professional and infrastructural capacities of the media industry.

Given the crucial roles of the media, this study on media development is particularly significant and timely as Bhutan has now introduced democratic reforms. In less than a decade, there has been a rapid increase of media organizations in the country, a result of a liberalized media policy.

The Royal Government recognizes that a professional media is an important pillar of a vibrant democracy. A free and independ- ent media is therefore viewed not only as vital for furthering de- mocracy but also imperative in ensuring institutional accountability and transparency.

This report is the culmination of efforts of the Royal Govern- ment and a large number of Bhutanese stakeholders and interna- tional development partners – the International Media Support (IMS), UNESCO and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).