Bhutan Centre for Media and Democracy

Last updated
Bhutanese youths work in groups as part of a training day in democracy and action held by BCMD in Thimphu Bhutanese youth.jpg
Bhutanese youths work in groups as part of a training day in democracy and action held by BCMD in Thimphu

The Bhutan Centre for Media and Democracy (BCMD) is the first Civil Society Organisation in Bhutan. It was launched in 2008 coinciding with the country's first government elections, [1] which heralded a new era of self-governance following the abdication of the fourth king of Bhutan, Jigme Singye Wangchuck. At the same time, the media landscape saw the arrival of new private newspapers and radio stations, as well as social media via mobile telephones and the Internet. [2] The stated mission of BCMD is to "nurture democracy in Bhutan through civic engagement, public discourse and media literate citizens". [3]

Contents

In December, 2016 King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck recognized the significant role being played by CSOs in the new democracy, awarding 22 National Orders of Merit (gold), to organisations that provided such non-government services as gender, governance, environment and media. [4] [5] BCMD, as the first CSO, has been described as a demonstration of the role this sector could play in the developing country, by "encouraging young people, teachers and local leaders to act as bridge to strengthen civic engagement". [6]

Operation and objectives

BCMD, like all Bhutanese CSOs, works according to the framework of Bhutan's philosophy of Gross National Happiness, which was proclaimed by the Fourth King of Bhutan to be a more important measure of a nation's wealth and progress than Gross National Product. [7] The organisation states that:

BCMD believes in the power of ideas and openness to change the world. We believe that Bhutanese society is capable of making Gross National Happiness a reality through a vigorously contested and transparent set of elected institutions, a professional media and literate society, social justice and equity. Within the organization, we believe our team members are our assets, and we uphold innovativeness, integrity, accountability and teamwork. [3]

The not-for-profit organisation runs an extensive range of programs at its media lab in the capital Thimphu, as well as in schools and rural areas, to help citizens understand their role in the new democracy, as well as to improve overall media literacy. It has a strong focus on teaching the youth to harness the power of media to help their communities. [5] Programs include school media clubs, teacher training, photography workshops, video skills, community mapping of problems and resources, training rural groups in podcasting, holding forums for discussions on issues affecting Bhutanese society and facilitating dialogue at every level of society. [8] [9]

With its focus on media literacy and citizen engagement, BCMD publishes a bi-annual journal called Druk Journal; children's books in English and the national language Dzongkha; media guides for parents encouraging online safety; audio books; and guides to writing creative non-fiction (literary journalism). [10]

The centre was launched by former broadcast journalist Siok Sian Pek-Dorji, who is the Executive Professional Director and is overseen by a board of directors that includes the former Executive Director Nancy Strickland, from the Bhutan Canada Foundation and Dr Dorji Thinley, President of Samtse College of Education. Advisors include former National Council Members Sangay Khandu and Dr Jagar Dorji, along with international specialists Howard Schneider of Stony Brook University, Mark Mancall, Professor Emeritus of Stanford University and Kavi Chongkittavorn, The Nation Multimedia Group, Thailand.

BCMD displays media produced by its members on a blog, Facebook and YouTube.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">History of Bhutan</span>

Bhutan's early history is steeped in mythology and remains obscure. Some of the structures provide evidence that the region has been settled as early as 2000 BC. According to a legend it was ruled by a Cooch-Behar king, Sangaldip, around the 7th century BC, but not much is known prior to the introduction of Tibetan Buddhism in the 9th century, when turmoil in Tibet forced many monks to flee to Bhutan. In the 12th century, the Drukpa Kagyupa school was established and remains the dominant form of Buddhism in Bhutan today. The country's political history is intimately tied to its religious history and relations among the various monastic schools and monasteries.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jigme Singye Wangchuck</span> Druk Gyalpo of Bhutan from 1972 to 2006

Jigme Singye Wangchuck is a member of the House of Wangchuck who was the king of Bhutan from 1972 until his abdication in 2006. During his reign, he advocated the use of a Gross National Happiness index to measure the well-being of citizens rather than Gross domestic product.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jigme Thinley</span> 2nd Prime Minister of Bhutan

Lyonpo Jigme Yoser Thinley is a Bhutanese politician who was Prime Minister of Bhutan from 20 July 1998 to 9 July 1999, 30 August 2003 to 18 August 2004 and 9 April 2008 to 28 April 2013.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Flag of Bhutan</span> National flag

The national flag of Bhutan is one of the national symbols of Bhutan. The flag features a Chinese dragon from Bhutanese mythology. This alludes to the Dzongkha name of Bhutan – Druk Yul – as well as the Drukpa Lineage of Tibetan Buddhism, which is the dominant religion of Bhutan.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jigme Dorji Wangchuck</span> Druk Gyalpo of Bhutan from 1952 to 1972

Jigme Dorji Wangchuck was the 3rd Druk Gyalpo of Bhutan.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gross National Happiness</span> Guiding philosophy of the government of Bhutan

Gross National Happiness, sometimes called Gross Domestic Happiness (GDH), is a philosophy that guides the government of Bhutan. It includes an index which is used to measure the collective happiness and well-being of a population. Gross National Happiness Index is instituted as the goal of the government of Bhutan in the Constitution of Bhutan, enacted on 18 July 2008.

Articles related to Bhutan include:

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ugyen Wangchuck</span> Druk Gyalpo of Bhutan from 1907 to 1926

Gongsar Ugyen Wangchuck was the first Druk Gyalpo (King) of Bhutan from 1907 to 1926. In his lifetime, he made efforts to unite the fledgling country and gain the trust of the people.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck</span> Druk Gyalpo of Bhutan since 2006

Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck is the Druk Gyalpo, the monarch of the Kingdom of Bhutan. After his father Jigme Singye Wangchuck abdicated the throne, he became the monarch on 9 December 2006. A public coronation ceremony was held on 6 November 2008, a year that marked 100 years of monarchy in Bhutan.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wangchuck dynasty</span> Royal family of Bhutan

The Wangchuck dynasty have held the hereditary position of Druk Gyalpo of Bhutan since 1907. Prior to reunification, the Wangchuck family had governed the district of Trongsa as descendants of Dungkar Choji. They eventually overpowered other regional lords and earned the favour of the British Empire. After consolidating power, the 12th Penlop of Trongsa Gongsar Ugyen Wangchuck was elected Druk Gyalpo, thus founding the dynasty. The position of Druk Gyalpo – who heads the royal family of Bhutan – is more commonly known in English as the King of Bhutan, however "Druk Gyalpo" would be translated literally as "Dragon King"

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sonam Dechen Wangchuck (born 1981)</span>

Princess Sonam Dechen Wangchuck is a princess of Bhutan. She is the daughter of the Fourth King of Bhutan Jigme Singye Wangchuck and Queen Mother Dorji Wangmo Wangchuck. She is half-sister of the fifth King, Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck.

The development of Bhutanese democracy has been marked by the active encouragement and participation of reigning Bhutanese monarchs since the 1950s, beginning with legal reforms such as the abolition of slavery, and culminating in the enactment of Bhutan's Constitution. The first democratic elections in Bhutan began in 2007, and all levels of government had been democratically elected by 2011. These elections included Bhutan's first ever partisan National Assembly election. Democratization in Bhutan has been marred somewhat by the intervening large-scale expulsion and flight of Bhutanese refugees during the 1990s; the subject remains somewhat taboo in Bhutanese politics.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kinley Dorji</span>

Dasho Kinley Dorji was Bhutan's first trained journalist who became founder, then managing director and editor in chief of Kuensel, Bhutan's national newspaper. In 2009 he became Secretary of the Ministry of Information and Communications, a position he held until 2016.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dorji Wangmo</span> Queen mother of Bhutan

Queen Mother Dorji Wangmo is the Queen Mother of Bhutan, and first wife of former King Jigme Singye Wangchuck, who is married to four sisters all of whom were entitled to be called queen.

The Royal Order of Bhutan is a medal awarded by the King of Bhutan. It was established by Jigme Dorji Wangchuck in 1966 and redesigned in 2008.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jetsun Pema</span> Druk Gyaltsuen of Bhutan since 2011

Jetsun Pema is the Druk Gyaltsuen of Bhutan, as the wife of King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck. She is currently the youngest queen consort in the world. She and the King have three children: Jigme Namgyel, the heir apparent to the Bhutanese throne, Jigme Ugyen, and Sonam Yangden.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Phuntsho Choden</span> Druk Gyaltsuen

Ashi Phuntsho Choden (1911–2003) was the Queen consort of Bhutan.

Ashi Tashi Chodzom Dorji is a much-loved figure in Bhutan, having played a significant role in modern history, international relations and cultural life.

The Bhutan Media Foundation is a Civil Society Organisation (CSO) established under Royal Charter and with seed funding from His Majesty King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, in Thimphu on 21 February 2010. The charter was collectively written by media professionals. An editorial in Bhutan Today, described the CSO as "a beacon of hope" in developing a professional media industry.

Ugyen may refer to:

References

  1. Mi-Khung, Vol 1, Issue 1, June 2011
  2. Sithey, G 2013, Democracy in Bhutan: The first five years, 2008–13
  3. 1 2 "Our Mission, Vision & Objectives". Bhutan Centre for Media and Democracy.
  4. Editorial, Druk Journal, 2017, Winter, p. 3
  5. 1 2 BCMD Annual Report 2016
  6. "Inspiring change through public engagement". Kuensel. April 23, 2017.
  7. Elliot, J 1987, 'The modern path to enlightenment', Financial Times, 2 May.
  8. "Inspiring Active Citizens". Bhutan Centre for Media and Democracy. Archived from the original on 2018-07-10. Retrieved 2018-07-10.
  9. "Expand and Encourage Public Discourse". Bhutan Centre for Media and Democracy.
  10. "Publications - Bhutan Centre for Media and Democracy".

Examples of work by youths at Bhutan Centre for Media and Democracy: