About the Bhutan Media Forum
The Bhutan Media Forum is envisioned as Bhutan’s premier national platform for dialogue, media excellence, innovation, and collaboration, aimed at fostering an informed, resilient, and vibrant media ecosystem that reflects Bhutan’s unique cultural values and development aspirations. Conceived as a flagship programme of the Bhutan Media Foundation and supported by the Department of Media, Creative Industry and Intellectual Property (DoMCIIP) under the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Employment (MoICE), the Forum will convene media professionals, policymakers, academics, civil society representatives, influencers, and business leaders, creating a dynamic space for critical engagement on the rapidly evolving media landscape.
As a vibrant hub for cross-sector engagement, the Bhutan Media Forum will foster thought leadership where media, technology, and society intersect. It will serve as a crucial initiative to strengthen Bhutan’s media ecosystem in line with His Majesty the King of Bhutan’s vision of a strong media sector contributing to the nation’s social, economic, and political development, while remaining grounded in the principles of Gross National Happiness (GNH).
The Bhutan Media Forum will examine emerging trends, pressing challenges, and transformative opportunities across journalism, digital communication, policy frameworks, and Media and Information Literacy (MIL). Through exchanging ideas, research, and best practices, it will enhance the media’s role in advancing democracy, social progress, and inclusive development.
More than just a conference, the Bhutan Media Forum aims to represent the beginning of a sustained national movement toward building an informed, ethical, and future-ready media sector that reflects Bhutan’s unique cultural values and development aspirations.
Objectives
- Provide a platform for open, inclusive, and informed dialogues on emerging media trends, challenges, and opportunities in Bhutan’s evolving media landscape.
- Promote collaborative partnerships among media institutions, academia, policymakers, government agencies, civil society and the business entities for progressive media reforms.
- Build media capacity and professional excellence with contemporary skills and knowledge through workshops, training, and knowledge-sharing sessions.
- Inspire media innovation by exploring and adopting cutting-edge technologies and innovative practices that can transform Bhutan’s media production and distribution.
- Strengthen media governance and policy engagement by exploring evidence-based recommendations to enhance media freedom, policy frameworks, regulatory approaches, and ethical standards.
- Enhance MIL among the general public as a foundation for informed citizenship, digital resilience, and democratic participation.
- Promote ethical media practices, responsible digital engagement, and fact-based storytelling that uphold national values and social harmony.
Who It’s For
The Bhutan Media Forum is a vital platform for everyone committed to building a robust, ethical, and innovative media ecosystem. It is designed for (but not limited to):
- Media Professionals and Journalists – to exchange insights, share challenges, and explore emerging practices in a rapidly evolving industry;
- Policymakers and Government Leaders – to engage in evidence-based dialogue and strengthen media governance and policy frameworks;
- Scholars and Researchers – to present findings, share knowledge, and foster collaboration between academia and the media sector;
- Business Leaders – to understand and leverage the power of media and technology in driving sustainable and responsible enterprise; and
- Influencers and Digital Creators – to promote responsible communication, creativity, and digital ethics across online platforms.
- Civil Society Representatives – to advocate for transparency, inclusivity, and accountability within the media and information ecosystem.
- Students – to learn, engage, and contribute to shaping the future of media.
Core Focus
- Dialogue: Hosting critical conversations on emerging trends in media, journalism, and digital communication.
- Collaboration: Fostering partnerships across sectors to address shared challenges.
- Innovation: Exploring the intersection of media, technology, and society to drive positive change.
- Education: Advancing MIL as a cornerstone of an informed public.
- National Relevance: Ensuring initiatives are grounded in Bhutan’s unique cultural values, context, and development priorities.
Methodology
The Bhutan Media Forum will achieve its goals through:
- Keynote Addresses by national and international experts;
- Plenary Discussions on pressing media issues and trends;
- Expert-Led Panels exploring innovation, ethics, and policy in media;
- Research Paper Presentations to bridge academic insights and industry practice;
- Interdisciplinary Knowledge-Sharing Sessions across sectors and disciplines;
- Workshops and Masterclasses on media education, innovation, and advocacy;
- Networking Opportunities to build partnerships, mentorships, and global collaborations;
- Awards and Recognitions celebrating media excellence, innovation, and ethical journalism.
Bhutan Media Forum Awards
The Bhutan Media Forum Awards will recognize outstanding initiatives led by Government Agencies and Civil Servants that demonstrate innovative public communication, responsible use of digital technologies, effective media collaboration, and improved information access for citizens. Each year, one distinguished award—comprising a custom-designed trophy, certificate, and cash prize—will be presented in recognition of their exceptional achievements in media, information, and communication.
Bhutan Media Forum 2026
The inaugural Bhutan Media Forum 2026, themed “Media in the Age of AI and Digital Transformation”, marks a defining moment in Bhutan’s media development journey. Scheduled for March 30 and 31, 2026 at Terma Linca, Thimphu, Bhutan, this two-day event will convene research insights, industry experience, and policy perspectives to address the rapidly evolving challenges and opportunities brought by AI and digital disruption.
As the first in what will become an annual national event, the Forum holds special significance in shaping the future of Bhutan’s media landscape. It will convene media professionals, policymakers, academics, civil society representatives, influencers, and business leaders from across the country to examine how AI and digital technologies are reshaping media practices, audience behaviour, and the broader information ecosystem.
Through 12 different keynote sessions, expert panels, research presentations, and hands-on workshops, the Forum will explore themes such as AI-driven journalism, misinformation and digital safety, sustainable media business models, media ethics, the role of media in advancing national development priorities, and Media and Information Literacy (MIL).