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.
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