This article appeared on Kuzuzangpo.com, one of the weblogs originating from Bhutan
Although Bhutan entered late into the world of Information and communications technology the progress it has made over the years is unprecedented. The coming of television and internet in June 1999 and then cellular services in June 2003 have undoubtedly made our lives even better. BBS has launched its nationwide television coverage very recently, and we have heard people saying, “…time has come for the foreign channels to take a back seat,” in the districts. Bhutan Telecom expects to establish at least 10 telephone lines in all 201 Gewogs in the country by end of 9th FYP. The number of ICT training institutes and private ISPs are springing up, ICT-ization of schools is in place, launch of e-post services by the Bhutan Post reaches the message faster than the ordinary mails, Government is spending more and more on ICTs, ICT business is booming and of late we have more number of students going online. These are all sure sign of heading towards an informed society. In other words, a step closer to bridging the ‘digital divide’.
What is this digital divide now? In laity it is the perceived gap between those who have access to ‘latest information technologies’ and those who do not- have and have-nots. As part of requirement for my PG programme few years back I did my dissertation on ‘Digital divide in South Asia’. I carried out a thorough research on the status in the region. Obviously the lack of accessibility to tele-communication facilities, electricity, computers, internet, education, and skilled human resources among others were some of the factors detrimental in bridging the digital gap.
In a country like ours where it is characterized by harsh and difficult geographical terrain reaching out computers and internet facilities is not an ultimate solution to bridge the so called digital divide. More than half of our people are illiterate and almost all of them depend totally on subsistence farming. Even if there is a magic wand to convert a wooden box into a computer set people would not want to go for it. Computers cannot generate food and electricity.
So if the digital divide is all about having access to information through the various technologies then promoting mobile phones would be way better in achieving the goal faster than reaching computers and internet.
Internet came with a boom and the world expected to solve every burning problems. More than a decade later problems remained the same. Of course internet has its own beauty of sharing information but it fails to deliver where there is no electricity, telecommunication facilities, and if one cannot read and write.
Imagine this.
Aum Tsumpi comes out from her makeshift camp in Laya to milk her dozen yaks, with crude untidy aluminum bucket in her left hand and a mobile phone in her right hand. She dials her husband who had gone to Thimphu to sell their dairy products in a weekend vegetable market. She asks him about the returns and reminds him to get a pair school shoe for their son. Memi Changlu in Layshingkhar, Pemagatshel calls his friend in SamdrupJongkhar. He asks him the latest floor price of oranges at the auction. Knowing that price is good he immediately decides to pluck his oranges and head for SamdrupJongkar. Zangpo in Bangkok is calling his father in Bikhar, Tashigang. “Hello, Hello….na thana mo (can you hear me). Father hears vaguely….ebi ya…kota melam mo (who is this? Is it melam)? Gila apa (yes father) and so the conversation goes…..jigi ama ga mobile kuntuwamey, ngon pa mo? (I have sent it across one mobile phone for mother, did you get it?).
The Shingkhar Lauri Gup, in the midst of his meeting with his people forgets one important issue that he was asked by his Dzongda to inform calls up his counterpart in the other Gewog. Without moving an inch from where he is seated he gets the information.
“Wai Neypo,” calls Thinley, a Brokpaman from Sakten to his fellow mate who had lately come from Trashigang, “Radhi dhang Tashigang barka lam tey chethpa mala mo?” (I hope there is no road block in between Radhi and Tashigang.
See, the beauty of mobile phones. One doesn’t need to be a literate person. And there is no need for electricity unlike internet. The only that is needed is the network. Of course there is a need for electricity to charge batteries but that can be done with solar power as well. Our government has taken initiative in providing solar panels, some free of cost and some at subsidized rates, to the far flung villages.
The mobile frenzy is fast picking up in Bhutan. According to annual ICT report 2004-05, at the end of 2004, in just a span of one and half years, the number of mobile users has climbed close to 19,000. By the end of 2005, the B-mobile said that numbers would surpass the fixed line users (I do not have the figures). It has impacted both old and young, monks and the laymen, educated and the uneducated, students and the office goers, vegetable vendors and the businessmen, cab drivers and the truck drivers. We see this in Thimphu and time is not far enough for the other Dzonkhags to follow suit. It is a healthy trend.
Mobile phones are getting cheaper by the day. Our village people are already rushing to embrace this trend. I wasn’t surprised when my brother in-law in Tashigang, who is uneducated, asked me to get one for him. I am sure you would have come across the same.
So will real digital divide be the gap between those who have mobile phones and those who have not.
Instead of making a dubious attempt on other infrastructures to bridge the gap I think our government should liberalize telecom markets, encourage competitions to make it affordable to the commonest of people. According to an article in the economist magazine, the mobile phones raise long term growth rates, their impact is twice as big in developing nations as in developed ones, and that an extra ten phones per 100 people in a typical developing country increases GDP growth by 0.6 percentage points.
The names of the people featured in this article are fictitious and any resemblance to them or their character is purely coincidental.
Monday, November 26, 2007
GNH vs. Globalization
This article is yet to appear in Bhutan Times
I am proud of my country. And so are my thirty nine other classmates. We represent twenty different nationalities and we are learning globalization in a truly global environment. It is interesting to learn different cultures and share experiences. As many Bhutanese would do when they go outside I also share with them about our Noble concept, Gross National Happiness. Indeed, they are fascinated and want to know more about the concept. Realizing GNH in the wake of globalization is challenge but in order to make judicious use of globalization one will need GNH.
World is battling with a change today. And that change is globalization, an inevitable change. It is something that we have brought forward, good or bad, from the twentieth century. It is sweeping across borders, impacting all aspects of human lives, be it social, cultural, political, economical or environmental. With the rapid advancement in communication technologies the pace is even faster than expected.
Globalization is so unequal. It helps produce integration but also marginalization. It helps produce development but also underdevelopment. It has brought new threats, including environmental hazards and terrorism. It helps promote democracy but also corruption. It helps bring peace but also conflicts. We do not have to look anywhere. It is happening right in our neighborhood. What do we do about this? How do we confront this change? The answer lies in our GNH.
Like many Bhutanese I believe in GNH. But I also know that there are many who do not. In fact some of them are within my own circle of friends and colleagues. I must admit that the idea of writing this article was born when I went through an article in one of the online blogs originating from Bhutan. The author writes about GNH being a ‘faked reality’. I did make a comment on the article and I want to write it here again, at least for non-believers, that GNH doesn’t have a set target to realize. How old is GNH? A decade, or two? It is really a short span of time to reap the benefits. If you look at the Danish Welfare State for instance, it took hundreds of years to build and rebuild. It dates back to early 1800s. I am referring to Denmark’s model because they were the happiest nation on earth in the first ever ‘world map of happiness’ published in November 2006. Bhutan was in eighth position, way ahead of many developed nations. So, economic growth could be a necessary condition but not a sufficient condition for happiness.
Let’s look at the four pillars of GNH in the context of globalization.
When globalization visited homes people embraced it so fast that they forgot to look back the trails left behind. Now human beings are paying the price for it. Global warming is real and happening. Globalization has brought one of gravest dangers to the mankind and the planet earth. Let’s talk about our own Gangri Himalayas. Studies show that glaciers in the Himalayan regions are retreating. It is predicted that temperature in the sub-continent would increase to 5.5 degree Celsius by 2100 from what is 3.5 degrees Celsius today. It is predicted that a 1 degree Celsius in temperature would cause alpine glaciers worldwide to shrink by as much as 40 percent.
So, what is an answer to this? The answer lies in the first pillar of GNH, i.e. preservation of environment.
We have been doing something that the world has failed or rather forgot to do; to live and coexist with the nature. Our vigorous programmes and policies to conserve our environment have raised the eyebrows of many countries and leaders in the world. Wow, where in the world do you get to inhale such kind of pure and clean air! That was a remark made by a tourist who visited Bhutan recently.
Undoubtedly, we are the champions of environment conservation. Our draft Constitution guarantees, under the Article 5, that the government shall ensure a minimum of sixty percent of its total land be maintained under forest cover for all time. Which country would have such a law? None, I guess.
Globalization and westernization are used interchangeably, mostly by the developing nations. And it is true that westernization has swept across borders. Traditional values and cultures have become thing of the past in most countries. Where do you see people wearing their national dress? In some countries it is worn only on special occasion. In most countries national dresses have faded away and have taken special place in Museums. Curious to know, I asked my friend from Belarus about his national costumes. “I am not sure. Maybe it is lying there in the Museum,” he tells me candidly. I once attended a gathering in Gho and stole all others’ attention. It took me all through the evening explaining about our national dress among others. A Bhutanese lady working as an air attendant in the Middle East says something like this: “I have never realized that we have such a unique, rich culture and tradition. I am dying to get back to my country.”
We have our culture and tradition still intact and vibrant; be it religion, architecture, music, language, dress, food, and so on.
Pizzas and McDonalds may have come to Thimphu but we still love our Emadatshi, Shakam, and Sikam. “When you go out of the country first thing you miss about Bhutan, even before your wife and kid, is our food,” says a friend of mine studying in Bangkok.
So, we are still able to preserve our own unique culture and tradition even when globalizing forces around. And because of this we were able to remain as a sovereign nation and that too in a region where history is not so pleasant. Thanks to our generation of farsighted leaders and ancestors. That is the second pillar of GNH, preservation and promotion of culture.
One of the biggest drawbacks of globalization is that it is so unequal. The so called ‘haves and have nots’ are product of globalization. Economic globalization brings economic growth but it also brings underdevelopment. Two of the world’s largest growing economies are right in our neighborhood, but these two countries are also home to large number of poor. Despite growth miracle in China inequality has risen sharply. In 2005, top 10 percent earned 45 percent of the income, while the bottom 10 percent earned only 1.4 percent. In India, despite successful economic growth 35 percent of the population still live below $ 1 a day, and as much as 80 percent live below $ 2 a day.
What could be the solution to this? The answer is sustainable and equitable socio-economic development, the third pillar of GNH.
It is true we lag behind in equitable development but we also must not forget that modernization began very late. And I personally feel that it is a blessing in disguise. We can learn from the mistakes made by other countries and choose a cautious approach towards balanced growth. In fact the second MDG Progress Report published in December 2005 says that Bhutan is well on track on achieving the MDGs by the target year of 2015. Not only MDGs there are positive growth in other sectors as well. It is just a matter of time.
Globalization brings freedom and democracy. But if misused it breeds corruption. In most countries leaders and politicians have used it for their personal gains, resulting into internal conflicts and corruption. In Bhutan we are blessed to have visionary leaders in our Monarchs. “The rise in corruption in Bhutan is a challenge we face. How big the challenge is will depend on how soon and how strongly we decide to oppose it. There is no room for corruption-it is as simple as that, not now and not in the future,” (His Majesty the King).
In recent times, especially after the establishment of ACC, people have started to talk about corruption more openly. Judiciary is becoming more efficient and transparent, so too are other organizations. Our media are becoming bolder and so are the people. Democratically elected government in 2008 will be even more obliged to become efficient, transparent, and accountable as there is somebody, in the form of opposition and general public, constantly watching. “Earlier, we were the servants of the government; now, with democracy, we are the servants of the people,” PDP president Sangay Ngedup was quoted as saying by Kuensel. This is what I call ‘Good Governance’ and the fourth pillar of our GNH.
In sum, these inevitable globalizing forces of globalization have come here to stay. But we have an instrument, in the form of GNH, to sift which is good and which is bad. Skeptics would argue on the basis of measurement of GNH. Well, happiness is abstract and cannot be quantified. But, it doesn’t mean that it is not there. At least the ways to maximize happiness is correct.
Meanwhile, my Kenyan friend asks me, “How is the Gross National Happiness man?” “Well, good,” I replied. “How about yours,” I asked him. “I went to the Church this morning. Feeling good and satisfied,” was his answer. “That’s called spiritual happiness. Contentment is Happiness. And that is what we call Gross National Happiness,” I said as we made our way for another day’s lecture.
Please note that I am neither an expert on GNH nor on Globalization. It is just a layman’s understanding of GNH. I hope that my interpretation here would convince some of our non-believers that GNH is indeed in the making.
I am proud of my country. And so are my thirty nine other classmates. We represent twenty different nationalities and we are learning globalization in a truly global environment. It is interesting to learn different cultures and share experiences. As many Bhutanese would do when they go outside I also share with them about our Noble concept, Gross National Happiness. Indeed, they are fascinated and want to know more about the concept. Realizing GNH in the wake of globalization is challenge but in order to make judicious use of globalization one will need GNH.
World is battling with a change today. And that change is globalization, an inevitable change. It is something that we have brought forward, good or bad, from the twentieth century. It is sweeping across borders, impacting all aspects of human lives, be it social, cultural, political, economical or environmental. With the rapid advancement in communication technologies the pace is even faster than expected.
Globalization is so unequal. It helps produce integration but also marginalization. It helps produce development but also underdevelopment. It has brought new threats, including environmental hazards and terrorism. It helps promote democracy but also corruption. It helps bring peace but also conflicts. We do not have to look anywhere. It is happening right in our neighborhood. What do we do about this? How do we confront this change? The answer lies in our GNH.
Like many Bhutanese I believe in GNH. But I also know that there are many who do not. In fact some of them are within my own circle of friends and colleagues. I must admit that the idea of writing this article was born when I went through an article in one of the online blogs originating from Bhutan. The author writes about GNH being a ‘faked reality’. I did make a comment on the article and I want to write it here again, at least for non-believers, that GNH doesn’t have a set target to realize. How old is GNH? A decade, or two? It is really a short span of time to reap the benefits. If you look at the Danish Welfare State for instance, it took hundreds of years to build and rebuild. It dates back to early 1800s. I am referring to Denmark’s model because they were the happiest nation on earth in the first ever ‘world map of happiness’ published in November 2006. Bhutan was in eighth position, way ahead of many developed nations. So, economic growth could be a necessary condition but not a sufficient condition for happiness.
Let’s look at the four pillars of GNH in the context of globalization.
When globalization visited homes people embraced it so fast that they forgot to look back the trails left behind. Now human beings are paying the price for it. Global warming is real and happening. Globalization has brought one of gravest dangers to the mankind and the planet earth. Let’s talk about our own Gangri Himalayas. Studies show that glaciers in the Himalayan regions are retreating. It is predicted that temperature in the sub-continent would increase to 5.5 degree Celsius by 2100 from what is 3.5 degrees Celsius today. It is predicted that a 1 degree Celsius in temperature would cause alpine glaciers worldwide to shrink by as much as 40 percent.
So, what is an answer to this? The answer lies in the first pillar of GNH, i.e. preservation of environment.
We have been doing something that the world has failed or rather forgot to do; to live and coexist with the nature. Our vigorous programmes and policies to conserve our environment have raised the eyebrows of many countries and leaders in the world. Wow, where in the world do you get to inhale such kind of pure and clean air! That was a remark made by a tourist who visited Bhutan recently.
Undoubtedly, we are the champions of environment conservation. Our draft Constitution guarantees, under the Article 5, that the government shall ensure a minimum of sixty percent of its total land be maintained under forest cover for all time. Which country would have such a law? None, I guess.
Globalization and westernization are used interchangeably, mostly by the developing nations. And it is true that westernization has swept across borders. Traditional values and cultures have become thing of the past in most countries. Where do you see people wearing their national dress? In some countries it is worn only on special occasion. In most countries national dresses have faded away and have taken special place in Museums. Curious to know, I asked my friend from Belarus about his national costumes. “I am not sure. Maybe it is lying there in the Museum,” he tells me candidly. I once attended a gathering in Gho and stole all others’ attention. It took me all through the evening explaining about our national dress among others. A Bhutanese lady working as an air attendant in the Middle East says something like this: “I have never realized that we have such a unique, rich culture and tradition. I am dying to get back to my country.”
We have our culture and tradition still intact and vibrant; be it religion, architecture, music, language, dress, food, and so on.
Pizzas and McDonalds may have come to Thimphu but we still love our Emadatshi, Shakam, and Sikam. “When you go out of the country first thing you miss about Bhutan, even before your wife and kid, is our food,” says a friend of mine studying in Bangkok.
So, we are still able to preserve our own unique culture and tradition even when globalizing forces around. And because of this we were able to remain as a sovereign nation and that too in a region where history is not so pleasant. Thanks to our generation of farsighted leaders and ancestors. That is the second pillar of GNH, preservation and promotion of culture.
One of the biggest drawbacks of globalization is that it is so unequal. The so called ‘haves and have nots’ are product of globalization. Economic globalization brings economic growth but it also brings underdevelopment. Two of the world’s largest growing economies are right in our neighborhood, but these two countries are also home to large number of poor. Despite growth miracle in China inequality has risen sharply. In 2005, top 10 percent earned 45 percent of the income, while the bottom 10 percent earned only 1.4 percent. In India, despite successful economic growth 35 percent of the population still live below $ 1 a day, and as much as 80 percent live below $ 2 a day.
What could be the solution to this? The answer is sustainable and equitable socio-economic development, the third pillar of GNH.
It is true we lag behind in equitable development but we also must not forget that modernization began very late. And I personally feel that it is a blessing in disguise. We can learn from the mistakes made by other countries and choose a cautious approach towards balanced growth. In fact the second MDG Progress Report published in December 2005 says that Bhutan is well on track on achieving the MDGs by the target year of 2015. Not only MDGs there are positive growth in other sectors as well. It is just a matter of time.
Globalization brings freedom and democracy. But if misused it breeds corruption. In most countries leaders and politicians have used it for their personal gains, resulting into internal conflicts and corruption. In Bhutan we are blessed to have visionary leaders in our Monarchs. “The rise in corruption in Bhutan is a challenge we face. How big the challenge is will depend on how soon and how strongly we decide to oppose it. There is no room for corruption-it is as simple as that, not now and not in the future,” (His Majesty the King).
In recent times, especially after the establishment of ACC, people have started to talk about corruption more openly. Judiciary is becoming more efficient and transparent, so too are other organizations. Our media are becoming bolder and so are the people. Democratically elected government in 2008 will be even more obliged to become efficient, transparent, and accountable as there is somebody, in the form of opposition and general public, constantly watching. “Earlier, we were the servants of the government; now, with democracy, we are the servants of the people,” PDP president Sangay Ngedup was quoted as saying by Kuensel. This is what I call ‘Good Governance’ and the fourth pillar of our GNH.
In sum, these inevitable globalizing forces of globalization have come here to stay. But we have an instrument, in the form of GNH, to sift which is good and which is bad. Skeptics would argue on the basis of measurement of GNH. Well, happiness is abstract and cannot be quantified. But, it doesn’t mean that it is not there. At least the ways to maximize happiness is correct.
Meanwhile, my Kenyan friend asks me, “How is the Gross National Happiness man?” “Well, good,” I replied. “How about yours,” I asked him. “I went to the Church this morning. Feeling good and satisfied,” was his answer. “That’s called spiritual happiness. Contentment is Happiness. And that is what we call Gross National Happiness,” I said as we made our way for another day’s lecture.
Please note that I am neither an expert on GNH nor on Globalization. It is just a layman’s understanding of GNH. I hope that my interpretation here would convince some of our non-believers that GNH is indeed in the making.
New Media in a New Bhutan
This article appeared in Bhutan Times, one of the private newspapers in Bhutan.
First thing I do it in the morning is log on to the internet and learn the news from back home. Like me there will be many more keeping track of the happenings, both from within and outside. And why not? Having come from a society where everybody seems to know everyone we have our friends, colleagues and relatives taking part in the politics. We have our country going through unprecedented transformation. And we have our country gearing up for the centenary and the coronation celebrations in 2008.
Technology has revolutionized the way we participate or engage ourselves in our day to day lives. Internet keeps us abreast of everything, no matter which boundary you are in. The omnipresent nature of this medium has helped people keep in touch, participate in common discussion and debate. I am truly amazed by the way our people get into serious discussion when it comes to issues of national concern or corruption. The latest best example is the Phobjikha land case. We have also seen intense debate on issues like Tang bridge, AWP, and many more. It is a healthy debate and we need more of such debates in an environment that we are heading.
Ever since the internet was introduced public opinion took off to another level. And then came the private media which provided a platform for readers to comment and publish their voices. Many websites originating from Bhutan or meant for Bhutanese consumers have an online forum or of that sort.
In a small society like ours people prefer to comment online than come forward and speak through mainstream media. The same person, who posted a comment online, I am sure, will be reluctant to talk to the mainstream media, more so to BBS. Not at all if a person is to speak against somebody or an organization. I have seen my colleagues at the BBS literally requesting people for an interview or to be a panel on the show. Could be because they are camera shy. At least in a print medium one can get through with the phrase, ‘who wish to remain anonymous.’ And the media has the right to protect its sources.
As the technology gets cheaper and more user friendly by the day more and more people will embrace this technology. We are seeing this. According to survey conducted by the department of information technology IT in Bhutan has grown rapidly over the years. And come 2008 B-Mobile subscribers in Thimphu, Phuentsholing and Paro will be able to browse high speed Internet, download songs and music, and make conversation face to face with friends by means of video telephony on their mobile phones. Wow, 3G is coming to Bhutan.
And with this technology it will enable every citizen to express himself or herself to broader audience. Each citizen has the potential to contribute to the practice of journalism. Today every major news organization has space for the viewers or readers’ comments. Most TV news stations have room where you can send your pictures and videos. For instance, the coverage on tsunami on December 26, 2004 across Southeast Asia was mostly run by the pictures and images sent by the people.
People call it ‘citizen journalism.’ This concept of citizen journalism and blogging are synonymous.
We are slowly beginning to see this trend. We are seeing some weblogs springing up in Bhutan. It has the edge over journalists in disseminating the news faster because of the expertise, closeness, access, and time. I remember one of the weblogs, kuzuzangpo.com, although it’s more like a literary blog, sometimes disseminate information faster by its members than the mainstream media. An excerpt from one of the comments on the story sent by one of its members says it all: “Thank you……..You are one of the reasons for my being in kuzuzangpo.com. You are faster than our online national newspaper, and you report with such zeal, enthusiasm and emotion that I cannot help but feel and react with equal emotions.”
This is good. We have more choices and citizens are being responsible. But as we see more and more of such websites and weblogs authenticity will become a major issue. How will we know that they are telling us the truth? How will we know their hidden agenda, if they have any? With politics this so called ‘agendas’ and ‘hidden agendas’ will appear more often than not. The answer falls back to citizens. We should know to sift, what is good and what is bad.
This reminded me of the wise words of His Majesty the Fourth Druk Gyalpo: “I would like to remind our youth that the television and the Internet provide a whole range of possibilities which can be both beneficial as well as negative for the individual and the society. I trust that you will exercise your good sense and judgment in using the Internet and television,” (June 2, 1999).
It is high time that our schools should incorporate some curriculum, maybe a chapter or two, on media and journalism at the high school level or an elective subject at the undergrad level. This will, not only cultivate our students some idea of the role of media in a society but will also prove as guidance if they are to professionalize at a later stage. We know that Bhutanese media seriously lack professionals. Right now most of the journalists are trained and learned on the job. Even if students do not want to advance in media studies they will at least become better citizen journalists.
After all we all have a shared responsibility: to make our society an informed and better society.
As i put an end to this essay it is past midnight here. And before I go to bed I will have to log on the internet and see the developments back home.
First thing I do it in the morning is log on to the internet and learn the news from back home. Like me there will be many more keeping track of the happenings, both from within and outside. And why not? Having come from a society where everybody seems to know everyone we have our friends, colleagues and relatives taking part in the politics. We have our country going through unprecedented transformation. And we have our country gearing up for the centenary and the coronation celebrations in 2008.
Technology has revolutionized the way we participate or engage ourselves in our day to day lives. Internet keeps us abreast of everything, no matter which boundary you are in. The omnipresent nature of this medium has helped people keep in touch, participate in common discussion and debate. I am truly amazed by the way our people get into serious discussion when it comes to issues of national concern or corruption. The latest best example is the Phobjikha land case. We have also seen intense debate on issues like Tang bridge, AWP, and many more. It is a healthy debate and we need more of such debates in an environment that we are heading.
Ever since the internet was introduced public opinion took off to another level. And then came the private media which provided a platform for readers to comment and publish their voices. Many websites originating from Bhutan or meant for Bhutanese consumers have an online forum or of that sort.
In a small society like ours people prefer to comment online than come forward and speak through mainstream media. The same person, who posted a comment online, I am sure, will be reluctant to talk to the mainstream media, more so to BBS. Not at all if a person is to speak against somebody or an organization. I have seen my colleagues at the BBS literally requesting people for an interview or to be a panel on the show. Could be because they are camera shy. At least in a print medium one can get through with the phrase, ‘who wish to remain anonymous.’ And the media has the right to protect its sources.
As the technology gets cheaper and more user friendly by the day more and more people will embrace this technology. We are seeing this. According to survey conducted by the department of information technology IT in Bhutan has grown rapidly over the years. And come 2008 B-Mobile subscribers in Thimphu, Phuentsholing and Paro will be able to browse high speed Internet, download songs and music, and make conversation face to face with friends by means of video telephony on their mobile phones. Wow, 3G is coming to Bhutan.
And with this technology it will enable every citizen to express himself or herself to broader audience. Each citizen has the potential to contribute to the practice of journalism. Today every major news organization has space for the viewers or readers’ comments. Most TV news stations have room where you can send your pictures and videos. For instance, the coverage on tsunami on December 26, 2004 across Southeast Asia was mostly run by the pictures and images sent by the people.
People call it ‘citizen journalism.’ This concept of citizen journalism and blogging are synonymous.
We are slowly beginning to see this trend. We are seeing some weblogs springing up in Bhutan. It has the edge over journalists in disseminating the news faster because of the expertise, closeness, access, and time. I remember one of the weblogs, kuzuzangpo.com, although it’s more like a literary blog, sometimes disseminate information faster by its members than the mainstream media. An excerpt from one of the comments on the story sent by one of its members says it all: “Thank you……..You are one of the reasons for my being in kuzuzangpo.com. You are faster than our online national newspaper, and you report with such zeal, enthusiasm and emotion that I cannot help but feel and react with equal emotions.”
This is good. We have more choices and citizens are being responsible. But as we see more and more of such websites and weblogs authenticity will become a major issue. How will we know that they are telling us the truth? How will we know their hidden agenda, if they have any? With politics this so called ‘agendas’ and ‘hidden agendas’ will appear more often than not. The answer falls back to citizens. We should know to sift, what is good and what is bad.
This reminded me of the wise words of His Majesty the Fourth Druk Gyalpo: “I would like to remind our youth that the television and the Internet provide a whole range of possibilities which can be both beneficial as well as negative for the individual and the society. I trust that you will exercise your good sense and judgment in using the Internet and television,” (June 2, 1999).
It is high time that our schools should incorporate some curriculum, maybe a chapter or two, on media and journalism at the high school level or an elective subject at the undergrad level. This will, not only cultivate our students some idea of the role of media in a society but will also prove as guidance if they are to professionalize at a later stage. We know that Bhutanese media seriously lack professionals. Right now most of the journalists are trained and learned on the job. Even if students do not want to advance in media studies they will at least become better citizen journalists.
After all we all have a shared responsibility: to make our society an informed and better society.
As i put an end to this essay it is past midnight here. And before I go to bed I will have to log on the internet and see the developments back home.
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