Media convergence in Bhutan: Case studies in 2008 link local voices to central infrastructure

Abstract

Evidence is produced that Bhutanese citizens are adopting many of the media and communication technologies and practices common in more developed countries, and that the government has the political will to encourage this with infrastructure spending. This article links the two and reports that infrastructure spending and legislative encouragement, especially through unique social and cultural structures, appears to enhance the growth and emergence of media enterprises, a key driver of diversity and democracy. Key limitations on further expansion are identified as the remote location of the country and the low teledensity evident in this village-based society.

Keywords

• diversity
• democracy
• Development communication
• development journalism
• digital divide
• globalisation