THIMPHU, Bhutan – The Australian High Commission in New Delhi has expressed its readiness to collaborate with Bhutanese media stakeholders to strengthen the capacity of media professionals across the country. Recognising the important role of a resilient and skilled media sector, the Australian government aims to support initiatives that enhance reporting skills and uphold press freedom.
Recent surveys conducted by the Journalists’ Association of Bhutan (JAB) have highlighted the urgent need for capacity building within the industry. The surveys reveal that young journalists require comprehensive training, ranging from basic reporting to advanced writing techniques, as many senior journalists are retiring and taking their expertise with them.
To better understand Bhutan’s media landscape and explore avenues for collaboration, a delegation from the Australian High Commission in New Delhi visited Thimphu from July 20 to 23. The delegation included Ms. Gemma Haines, Counsellor for Strategic Communications & Public Diplomacy; Ms. Aditi Manohar, Senior Public Diplomacy Officer; and Ms. Pallavi Nayak, Senior Program and Research Officer.
During their visit, the delegation engaged with key media stakeholders, including staff from JAB, at the Thimphu Press Club. The discussions centered on the current challenges facing the media industry and potential partnership opportunities.
JAB provided an overview of the Bhutanese media landscape based on a recent rapid assessment survey supported by the Department of Media, Creative Industry, and Intellectual Property (DoMCIIP). This survey’s findings were officially launched on May 10, 2025, during the National Journalism Awards.
A highlight of the meeting was JAB’s ongoing project titled “Building Capacity of Bhutanese Journalists to Report on Climate Change and Environment,” funded by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) in partnership with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) through the Indo-Asia Pacific Media Fund. Set to run from August 2025 to February 2026, this seven-month initiative aims to empower 50 journalists with specialized skills in climate change reporting and long-form narrative journalism.
As part of this initiative, JAB will offer a climate change reporting grant to 10 journalists participating in two targeted training sessions. The project will culminate with the recognition of four outstanding grantees at the National Journalism Awards on May 3, coinciding with World Press Freedom Day, for their exemplary stories on climate change and environmental issues.
The delegation expressed strong interest in the upcoming journalism awards and discussed possibilities for expanding collaboration beyond the current project. The Australian team’s visit underscores a shared commitment to fostering a vibrant, well-equipped media sector in Bhutan, with the Australian government standing ready to support ongoing capacity-building efforts.