The Journalists’ Association of Bhutan (JAB) is planning a three-day basic reporting training course for 25 Dzongkha journalists and freelance reporters in Bhutan. The project is supported by the Friends of Bhutan Association in collaboration with the Society Switzerland–Bhutan (SSB) with approximately Nu. 575,000 or 5,200 euros. The training is aimed at media professionals in the print and broadcast sectors and will take place in Paro in early September 2026. JAB is thus responding to limited human resources and the growing need for targeted further training in Dzongkha journalism.
Aims of the training
The aim of the project is to strengthen the professional skills of Dzongkha journalists in research, writing, reporting, editing and ethical journalism. It addresses a critical gap in the Bhutanese media sector: Many Dzongkha newspapers have ceased publication, experienced journalists have left the profession, and at the same time, the national language Dzongkha is gaining further importance due to new government guidelines. Added to this are inconsistent spelling and technical terminology, a lack of experienced editors to act as mentors, and the challenge of frequently translating complex content from English and conveying it in an accessible manner. The training is therefore designed to empower a new generation of reporters to provide accurate, comprehensible and responsible information in the national language.
Cultural and social impact
Furthermore, the project pursues cultural and social objectives. It supports the preservation of Bhutan’s national language and identity, strengthens access to relevant information for rural communities, and promotes informed public discourse. The decline of the Dzongkha press further reduces training and practical opportunities, whilst enormous time pressures from digital and social media make the work of media professionals more difficult. Measurable improvements in journalistic quality, greater confidence in using Dzongkha as a media language and, in the long term, stronger Dzongkha editorial teams are therefore expected.