“There is no armed conflict in Bhutan maybe that’s why people of Bhutan are happy”, said Mr Kinley Dorji, chief editor of Kuensel. Some of his anwers are as follows:Q: According to you what should be the media’s role in armed conflict?
A: Umm… in armed conflict you should be objective and professional in reporting. But I would like to emphasize that sensivity is very very important. Media should be sensitive and objective in varying interest. If you talk about the role … the goal is not just about report but to go beyond that, to find solution of the problems. That would also mean reporting it objectively, analyzing and offering solution…suggestion.
Q: What kind of conflict do you have in your region?
A: Right now.. umm.. You’re talking about armed conflict?
Q: Yes!
A: There is no armed conflict in Bhutan.. Maybe that’s why my country people are so happy.. But yes we had one experience of armed conflict. In 2003, the indian militants of North East had come inside the Bhutanese forest. But Bhutanese army flushed them off. That’s the only conflict I had experienced.
Q: Do print and electronic media behave differently in armed conflict?
A: Electronic media is little bit difficult because you need to go with crew and equipments. So I find it little difficult. It is difficult to do today’s coverage. Radio goes around little easier but perhaps the easiest is the print. Print plays a very important role in our situation.. Anyway… because we were able to give the proper facts, figures, proper picture, analysis and bigger and broader story.
Q: What do you think is the most poweful media?
A: The most powerful media is gossip. Be it any medium, it is strong and influential. The other point of armed conflict is, reporting beyond human impact of people. We need to work hard in reporting the facts and also work hard in reflecting them.
Q: Are there any government control over media?
A: No..no government control, but what is happening in Bhutan is the whole concept of media is new. So government, society and even media is a new thing to experience… and there are no law to control for government to control either. We have monarchy. But what is happening in 2008, there will be new constitution. There will be democracy. It will guarantee freedom of expression, freedom of media and right to information.
Q: How do the people react to this new media in Bhutam?
A: Bhutan is very small country hidden up in the mountain. It is not very developed. The journalist are respected and treated as educated class.
{I had taken his interview on March 28, 2006 in The Indian Habitat Centre. Mr Kinley Dorji, one of the renowned journalist of Bhutan was also invited.}
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