As they say, is this the ‘calm before the storm’?

Something is brewing up in the media industry. Good or bad I have no idea. Just a feeling that something is going to happen soon. The weather is like my mood – foul.

Silence on this forum is like entering an old house alone at dusk.

At last I get coverage, although only 2000 copies. Nonetheless it is limelight.

Where I was taught (US), I learned you can make changes to press releases so long as you do not add information to what is stated in the article. A journalist is allowed to adjust and modify the articles to suit a newspaper’s news policy.

Where you pursued journalism must be few kilometers from our border.

You may have done a favor to the SEM GAWAI TASHA team by running a story, but calling Tshering Nidup DUMP (dumb) is a very derogatory term one should avoid using, especially in a newspaper.

And please readers do understand the phrase ‘free of cost’. Do need to emphasize it by using the word CHARITY, which again is somewhat derogatory.

But today’s issue is an improvement. Only 50% content was from the net.

I don’t think you can deny the importance of Media Independence in a democracy, can you? So unless you don’t care about the future of this nation and our, I’ll say it again, “Fragile Democracy” you should be concerned when the independence of media is being compromised. It’s so clear, straightforward, and obvious.

But the most interesting thing is, you have now exposed the secret by accepting (last para) that the PM has hired TR to influence the media and garner political support by saying that just like OL is using this blog to gain support, PM has hired TR to do so. And adding: “See the smarter always outdoes the dumb. Way to go!”

Now tell us: Who is the hypocrite? Who is trying to cover up an important issue? Who is telling the truth? Who is politicizing this important debate? And who is trying to fool the readers of this forum and concerned citizens of this nation.

Background
TR is helping BToday even though he is in PM’s media office. Other newspapers are not happy.

Facts
- TR accepted he helped BToday, in training of reporters.
- Any govt. organization should not have hands in media organizations.
- TR’s team is running BToday.

Judgement
- TR should not be involved in a news organization so long as he is in PM’s media office. Therefore he is guilty.

Case closed

Your connection with TR will always be an issue within the media industry. Stories your reporters come up with will always be deemed as supplied by TR. Other newspapers will always fear that TRs influence in the govt. will channel ads to you. As long as TR drops by Bhutan Today, especially at odd hours, the other newspapers will be wary of you.

I have today’s issue in front of me. I glance over it as I take a sip of coffee. The article “RBA-BODO SKIRMISH” catches my eye. It is a grave concern for me whenever there is something from the border. The sacrifice our soldiers make for us is something we may never be able to repay. Thanks to them we can sleep peacefully. So immediately I conjured action and loss of lives, but hoping there is no loss of lives.

A big story, deserving front page space. But you aborted the story before birth with that ridiculous lead. This is not how it is taught in journalism classes. The lead attracts readers to read the following paragraphs. The action story was aborted before birth because of the vegetable story.

This is how a good example of how to kill a good story. CONGRATS

Let’s not get into rhetorics otherwise this debate will never end. so they say argument is the end of logic, and i see that happening already. What is obviously wrong is that lot of OL fanatics and PDP enthusiasts are blatantly attacking an INDIVIDUAL and politicizing the whole issue, some of them even have been using words that tantamount to defamation. Now that is not such a good thing to do!

Tangba: “These deluded and overtly prejudiced jerks will never understand the conscience of righteousness. “Mediawatch” and “guest” are none other than TR himself or the dogs who couldn’t survive without him.”

Now Tangba, by being so venomous, do you think any one will take you seriously. I pity you. You have fallen down because you cannot stand the truth of the matter. And you use tirade as a defense. And Guest, I go by what you said about Tangba – he is just blabbering , making no sense.

Another DORJI wrote: “And I believe the OL has the responsibility and obligation to caution and inform the people and the nation about such important issues.”

Yes the OL has been doing that, all the time. It is his job. He is the OPPOSITION. I admire OL’s courage, gift of the gab and his resolute stand. But sometimes, as he is human too, he commits errors of judgement.

He was against the appointment of TR as PM’s press officer. Would he have been against if someone other than TR was appointed? OL understands very well the importance of a capable (influential) media person? And TR being there at the PMO is a threat to his political interests, to PDP’s interest. And obviously, OL has succeeded in making this issue a mountain of a mole! That’s why he does what he does the best – OPPOSE!

But I admire him when he chases serious issues like CDG – which would definitely will bring down DPT government, if something is not done at the earliest.

If we talk about Media Independence, Bhutan Today is just one small fragment of the larger picture. Aren’t we being myopic when we just see faults with BToday when it is trying to revive itself from the ’shity’ newspaper its has always been. It might be easier to write of the world that is in crisis, what they should do and should not, by sitting on a comfortable chair, but the reality is much harder than it is.

I say Give BToday a chance to grow. If you care about media freedom and democracy and all this stuff, give critical feedbacks on how the paper should improve, not a skeptic view on how BToday is going down the drain, how it is slurring the nation, how it is unethical! Let’s be constructive!!

And perhaps, that is one of the biggest role of the opposition leader and this blog (that he obviously created to gain support as PM hired TR to do so. See the smarter always outdoes the dumb. way to go!)

upright Plagiarism

Is this what some mean by saying Bhutan Today has improved since TR assumed the driver’s seat?