The National Assembly of Bhutan has come with a controversial and restrictive Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for the media which many journalists feel will hamper the ability of journalists to report in the Parliament.
While there are nineteen rules reflected in the guide lines there are five rules targeting the media.
One is that media personnel has to register in the ‘media registration’ before entering the proceeding.
This does not make sense as the media has to not only register with the RBP at the entry, but reporters cannot enter the media gallery without a special security pass from the RBP. This requirement from NA is an additional layer of registration for the media not there previously.
Another rule says to ‘use the identified media gallery’ and again this rule does not make sense apart from restricting the movement of reporters.
The above rule when read together with the next rule which says, journalists are to ‘avoid distracting the members during the proceeding of the house,’ are both aimed at limiting the movement of journalists and their ability to interact with MPs and Ministers.
Journalists do not enter the main hall to distract members as they are not even allowed there, but only approach them outside in the corridor during the break session for additional information.
The SOP on not distracting the MPs would hence practically apply to this period only. This is also the understanding of journalists who cover the Parliament proceedings.
Another rule says ‘Media personnel are not allowed to take and post derogatory photos of the Members of the National Assembly.’
This is again a very restrictive rule as generally democratic and open Parliaments do not have such rules.
The fifth rule that target the media is to not carry electronic devices unless approved otherwise. This would again make reporting difficult as journalists have to have their laptops, voice recorders and phones to do their jobs.
Lhakpa Tshering, a senior reporter with Bhutan Times said that reporters already had trouble accessing information, as already the RCSC has put restrictions on civil servants’ ability to talk with the media, and now the National Assembly has implemented this SOP for the media due to which the media will be affected.
“Overall, these rules suggest that the media shouldn’t be given any information. We were having difficulty obtaining information, and if they do not give the information, where are we supposed to acquire it because they are the source,” he said.
He stated, “Personally, I believe that such restrictions are unnecessary because freedom of speech and press freedom are explicitly stated in the constitution. So there is no need for additional laws and regulations since we already know what we are and are not authorized to do.”
He went on to say that today, there are many young journalists working in various media outlets, and with such restrictions in place, there will be no one working in media in the future since people are leaving for other opportunities
Puran Gurung, a Senior Reporter covering the political beat with Bhutan Today stated that if National Assembly goes on to make such rules, it won’t take long for other to follow suit.
He said that this will create significant gap that will be hard to close in times to come.
“For a young democracy, media is important and it is equally important to take the same boat, it is media that has to do the hard talk. I don’t see any problem with earlier arrangements, there was no issue as I see. We are Bhutanese first, and reporters second, so we understand not to distract the decorum of the August Hall,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Secretary General of National Assembly of Bhutan, Tandin Tshering clarified that the rules are not the Speaker’s decision but rather, it is the Secretariat’s decision.
However, the Speaker is the head of the NA and so is accountable for any major changes in rules or policies that impact media coverage.
He said that they conduct a meeting with media stakeholders every time before the session to facilitate the media. “We want to assist the media. We have never stated that MPs and ministers are not allowed to speak to the media. However, we meant inside the session during the proceeding to avoid disturbing the members,” he said.
He also said that the Members of Parliament and Ministers are above the secretariat, and they have no authority to step on their toes.
“They can speak to the media anytime and anywhere. This SOP is prepared only to facilitate access to information,” he claimed.
As stated above, journalists do not enter nor are they permitted in the main hall so there is no question of them disturbing the members inside and the only contact is during the breaks outside.
He said the reason for adding another level of registration for the media is to facilitate.
He said Electronic devices, including mobile phones, are not permitted in the hall, as mandated by law.
While this is true for MPs in the main hall the rule in practice does not apply to journalists who use a separate media gallery.