Press and media

 The Royal Government of Bhutan (RGoB) restricts freedom of speech, and the press. The RGoB) bars people from criticizing the acts of the government or raising question on royal family members and the king. Bhutanese people never demanded freedom of press nor did they try for private publication in the past. It was only after 1990 that freedom of press and right to information has been felt. In 1990 Bhutan peoples’ Party staged peaceful demonstration demanding establishment of democracy and human rights which could guarantee freedom of press and expression.  In the name of press and right to information of the Bhutanese people, a radio and a television, run by Bhutan Broadcasting Service and owned by the state, the country's only regular publication is 'The Kuensel', twice in a week newspaper (published by state owned Kuensel Corporation) excised whose contents are censored by the government. Kuensel is published in English, Dzongkha, and limited copies in Nepali language. The RGoB claimed that the Kuensel is independent and was funded entirely through advertising and subscription revenue, but, it carries only the voices of the RGoB and prominent figures that support the absolute rule. Restricted Nepalese, Indian, and other foreign newspapers and magazines are available, but readership is in the hundreds and primarily limited to government officials.

Bhutan Broadcasting Service (BBS), established in 1973 and given its current name in 1996, operated under the auspices of the Department of Information. It began with Sunday programs and increased to thirty hours week of shortwave radio programme in Dzongkha, Sarchopkha, Lhotshamkha (Nepali) and English. There were no television stations in Bhutan in the early 1990s, and a 1989 royal decree ended the viewing of foreign television by dismantling the antennas. The RGoB wanted to prevent Indian and Bangladeshi Television Broadcasts from reaching Bhutanese citizens. While television was banned in the country, foreign cable lines continue restricted circulation as the free access to foreign television is considered a treat to the national culture and identities.  In 1989 King Jigme Singye Wanchuk banned private satellite dishes and dismantled 28 privately owned dishes. At that time people mostly viewed Indian and Bangladeshi channels.

After a 10-year ban on private television reception the RGoB began to allow broadcasts of locally produced and foreign programs from 2000. There are more than 33 cable providers in the country. A large variety of programming is available, including CNN and BBC. But the RGOB always censors cable content. The Government radio station, Bhutan Broadcasting service (BBS), broadcasts everyday in the four major languages. The RGOB inaugurated the country's first Internet service provider, Druknet, in 1999. But the Government always censors any content on the media.