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Rallying support for journalists’ well-being in Bhutan

In the aftermath of COVID-19 pandemic, when traditional media struggled to sustain the negative economic impact triggered by the health emergency, media adapted and innovated to survive.

25 August 2022

Last update:20 April 2023

However, several media organizations and mid-career journalists found it difficult to keep up with the changing requirements in the newsroom.

In order to address this lack of technical training for growing demand of multimedia journalism, Bodhi Media and Communication Institute (BMCI), Bhutan, with support of UNESCO New Delhi Office, supported training of journalists as part of the programme titled ‘Building Capacities of Bhutanese Journalists in Multi-Media News Production’.

As part of the project, BMCI engaged with 14 journalists, who are Bhutanese or local reporters to impart trainings on multimedia elements and issues of journalist safety, including the mental well-being.

UNESCO

Building the capacities of multi-media journalists in Bhutan

The training, as part of this programme, is based on a diploma course developed by a previous UNESCO International Programme for the Development of Communication (IPDC) support grant. It is registered with the Ministry of Labour and Human Resources, Bhutan, and accredited by the Asian Institute of Journalism and Communication (AIJC).

The programme adheres to the UNESCO curricula for Journalism Education and Declaration of Principles of Journalism Education.

Apart from dealing with pressing issues like economic slowdown, cutting of revenues and advent of new technologies, journalists in Bhutan are also grappling with pressure caused by limited newsroom capacities and almost no job security. Several journalists who were part of this project, said that this is also leading to distress amongst journalism community, affecting mental well-being in some cases.

The course gave me an opportunity to learn new things, since I had no formal training in journalism. I believe, it will help me tell better stories and connect with readers. This is important as I work with Dzongkha daily, and we have seen how often the English newspapers gain more importance.

Participant in the training

UNESCO

Mental health of a journalist important for holistic reporting

During a consultation organized as part of the initiative, it was discussed that for a journalist reporting from the ground, mental wellbeing is as important as the physical wellbeing.

It is a sad story that media houses do not even see supporting journalists as their responsibility. There is neither any insurance support nor in terms of safety gear while reporting on difficult situations like natural disasters and health pandemics.

Participant in the training

It is important that we abide by the provisions for physical safeguards from the Code of Ethics formulated by the Department of Information and Media. At the same time, it is crucial that we also ask pertinent questions that takes a toll on the mental health of a journalist, like: How well is their newsroom doing? Are they paid well? Is there a strong support system withing the organization?

Needrup ZangpoExecutive Director, Bhutan Media Foundation (BMF)

Building Capacities of Bhutanese Journalists in Multi-Media News Production

UNESCO

Difficult path for women journalists and journalists covering gender violence

The problem becomes more severe for women journalists reporting from the field.

Although there are hardly any reported cases of physical violence against journalists in Bhutan, the problem journalists face there is more societal, added a representative from the Journalists’ Association of Bhutan (JAB).

With almost two decades of experience in journalism, I wish to express that it is very stressful to be a journalist in Bhutan. Especially when motherhood is used against you, it becomes more stressful as a woman journalist in a close-knit society that Bhutan is.

Tashi DemaSenior journalist from Keunsel

It is important that journalists are aware of their rights, duties, code of ethics. This curriculum is a much needed step in the direction of enhancing capacities in the newsroom.

Namgay ZamDirector, JAB

The course also takes into account the challenges affecting the mental wellbeing of journalists in Bhutan including- self censorship and small society syndrome.

This project is supported by the IPDC. IPDC along with the World Journalism Education Council (WJEC), in 2019, recognized efforts in this field and called for further journalism trainings, and encouraged development of “new training materials for journalism students and practitioners on key emerging issues including aspects of quality, ethics and professionalism”.

UNESCO’s support for journalism education is underpinned by a strong conviction that professional journalistic standards are essential to bring out the potential of media systems to foster democracy, dialogue and development.

To read more about the project click here.