About Us

Guiding Principles

That all things exist in interdependence is an age-old wisdom, and we at Bhutan Observer truly believe in this. We recognize that we are an integral part of this society and have a role to play in reporting the news in a fair and balanced way. Our sole objective is to uphold and strengthen the values and principles that bind this small, but great kingdom, together. We are a voice with a conscience, and our efforts aimed at enriching people’s lives through unbiased content intended to inform, educate and entertain.

The world is in constant flux, often changing at a confusing pace, and only through recognizing our relationship with our surroundings and by active participation in events that shape our lives can we create conditions for a positive future. As a media agency, it is our honour to provide opportunity for such reflection and interaction.In addition to our regular features, we have introduced online space for Letters to the Editor, ‘Voice’ page, Citzens’ News and Online Forum. Through these outlets, our readers are encouraged to freely express their opinions about events that touch them personally as well those that affect the nation as whole.

Origin

Initially, democracy was a daunting prospect for many of the kingdom’s citizens. To assist in the transition and ensure a vibrant and healthy parliamentary system, the fourth Druk Gyalpo envisioned establishing a private print media. Bhutan Observer humbly accepted the challenge, and on June 2, 2006, the nation’s first private bilingual newspaper hit the stands.

Dzongkha Edition

Druk Nelug is the Dzongkha edition of Bhutan Observer. Financially, this wing of our organization is a liability. Yet, we feel that it is our social obligation to promote our national language and provide news to citizens who can read Dzongkha, especially those in rural areas. Druk Nelug is circulated in all corners of the kingdom, and we continue to publish it with renewed vigour and commitment.

Operations

Bhutan Observer is a private limited company operating with a little more than 50 staff in editorial, commercial, administration, and management departments. Much has been accomplished since our inauguration, but we are not complacent. Instead, we continuously and vigorously strive to improve and upgrade the quality of our paper. To achieve this goal, we have recruited some of the best professionals in the print media field in Bhutan. Providing the public with unbiased and objective news is our passion and our goal. To this end, we remain steadfast.

We are staunchly independent and not accountable to shareholders or aligned with any group – political, commercial, social, cultural, religious, linguistic, regional, communal, or ethnic. In this way, we are able to remain true to our founding principles and provide unbiased news and act as a social watchdog. A free and unbiased press is crucial to a thriving democracy. We pride ourselves at being at the heart of such a process.