The Thimphu Press Club (TPC), a social enterprise of Bhutan Media Foundation (BMF), is an important facility and forum for individuals from various professional backgrounds for interaction, discourse, and the exchange of information and ideas. Established in 2023, it acts as a stimulus to thought and a multiplier of ideas. The TPC engages journalists, public officials, scholars, diplomats, and students in a free and healthy exchange of ideas and views.
It intends to create and deepen public discourse, thereby contributing to the Royal Government of Bhutan’s vision of creating a knowledge-based society. The TPC holds regular events and activities for the media, academics, and public executives, making it an intellectual and democratic hub.
Objectives
The TPC is established with the following objectives:
- Serve as a melting pot for professionals from various backgrounds for interaction, discourse, and exchange of ideas to stimulate thought and discussion.
- Promote the interface between the media and other sections of society.
- House a well-equipped conference hall, a resource centre, and a café for the members of the club.
- Host regular dialogues, lectures, press conferences, and other events for the members of the club.
Advisory Board
The Advisory Board of the TPC consist of the following members. The membership of the executive directors of Bhutan Media Foundation (BMF) and Journalists’ Association of Bhutan (JAB) will be automatic, while other members will be nominated from the TPC members for a five-year term for a maximum of two terms.
- Executive Director, BMF
- Executive Director, JAB
- A Press Member
- A Diplomatic Member
- A Government Member
- A Corporate Member
- A Civil Society Member
Membership
The TPC offers the following memberships.
- Press Members: regular or freelance journalists and media professionals working for print, broadcast, and social media at Nu 500 per year.
- Government Members: Members of the cabinet, ministerial-level officials, government executives, and civil service officials, among others, at Nu 1,000 per year.
- Corporate Members: corporate executives, business executives, and public/private consultants, among others, at Nu 1,000 per year.
- Diplomatic Members: officials from the diplomatic community in the country and beyond at Nu 2,000 per year.
- Academic Members: teachers, lecturers, professors, and researchers at Nu 1,000 per year.
- Armed Forces Members: members of the Royal Bhutan Army, the Royal Bhutan Police, the Royal Body Guards, and members of De-suung.
- Civil Society Members: executives and professionals from civil society organisations at Nu 750 per year.
- Student Members: high school and college students at Nu 500 per year.
Facilities
The TPC has the following facilities:
- TPC Café: The TPC houses a café open to its members six days a week. It will be the commercial wing of the club. The income generated from the cafe will be ploughed back into supporting the TPC’s events and activities.
- TPC Resource Centre: The resource centre is exclusively for the TPC members for work and research. It houses a library, the latest periodicals, and offer free wifi. The centre accommodates at least 50 individuals at a time.
- TPC Conference Hall: The TPC has a well-furnished conference hall equipped with overhead projectors and a sound system. The conference hall is used for TPC events and activities, including press conferences.
Events and activities
- Monthly Dialogue: The TPC hosts a monthly dialogue to discuss topical issues. It is resourced by relevant experts and attended by the members of the TPC and visiting journalists. The TPC invites members of the cabinet, senior government officials, prominent newsmakers, and thought leaders to engage with the members of the TPC in a discussion on topical issues.
- Training, workshops, seminars: TPC organises regular training, workshops, and seminars for media personnel as well as the members of the public to promote media literacy and education. The club also functions as the centre for public media literacy.
- World Press Freedom Day & Annual Journalism Award: The TPC is the venue for the Annual Journalism Award on World Press Freedom Day as a flagship programme. The award recognises excellence in journalism by giving away certificates and cash prizes for outstanding journalistic work. The event aims to bring together the whole Bhutanese media fraternity, TPC members, and national and international dignitaries.
- PCB Quarterly Lecture: The TPC hosts a quarterly lecture by an eminent figure such as a scholar, diplomat, or development worker. The lecture features an authority on a subject and explore it in-depth.
Ownership and management
The TPC is owned by the Bhutan Media Foundation (BMF) and managed by a seven-member Advisory Board. The day-to-day operation of the club is managed by a manager and a team of staff appointed through a competitive selection process by the Advisory Committee. The TPC manager reports to the Executive Director of BMF.