Media assets

Television: BBS1, BBS2, BBS3

Radio: BBS1, BBS2

State Media Matrix Typology

State-Controlled (SC)

Ownership and governance

Operated as a public corporation since 1992, BBS is wholly owned by the Government of Bhutan, with the Ministry of Finance as its sole shareholder. The Editorial Board—nominated by the same ministry—holds formal responsibility for editorial policy, but in reality, this structure leaves it under tight state oversight with limited editorial independence. Despite a royal edict in 1992 calling for autonomy, BBS remains effectively a state-serving broadcaster lacking legally enshrined safeguards to guarantee impartiality.

In February 2025, BBS’s board terminated its then-CEO for alleged misconduct and weak leadership; this decision was upheld by the Thimphu District Court. As of June 2025, Tshering Wangchuk is serving as BBS’s CEO. A veteran media leader, he previously co-founded Business Bhutan and is considered the first Bhutanese to helm a print, radio, and television organization

Source of funding and budget

BBS relies heavily on state support—more than 80% of its budget is government-funded. In 2019, it total budget was BTN 269 million (~US$ 3.6 million), with BTN 44 million from its own sources; government subsidies comprised ≈55% of revenues.

In 2020, the budget rose moderately to BTN 296 million (~US$ 3.6 million); internal revenue held steady at BTN 49 million. The following year, amidst losses of BTN 31 million (~US$ 424,000), BBS received around BTN 200 million (~US$ 2.7 million) in subsidies, making it the fourth-largest loss‑making state enterprise.

BBS has not publicly released any updated standalone revenue figures for 2022, 2023, or 2024, either in its annual report or on public platforms.

Lines blur between “own revenues” and “other state funding,” suggesting a fiscal architecture propped up more by taxpayers than commercial earnings—placing BBS firmly under the state umbrella.

Editorial independence

There are no laws, independent bodies, or watchdog mechanisms safeguarding BBS’s editorial autonomy. Despite public assurances—such as the 1992 royal edict—the broadcaster continues to function as an instrument of state communication, lacking the structural safeguards found in genuinely independent public service media.

July 2025

Media assets

Publishing: Kuensel

State Media Matrix Typology

Independent State-Managed/Owned (ISM)

Ownership and governance

Kuensel Corporation Ltd. is a publicly listed company, with the Government of Bhutan retaining a controlling 51% stake. This majority shareholding entitles the state to significant influence over corporate decisions, particularly in appointing members to the company’s board and in shaping long-term strategic direction.

According to Bhutan Press Mirror (Journalists’ Association of Bhutan), Ugyen Penjor is serving as the CEO of Kuensel Corporation.

Source of funding and budget

The corporation operates primarily on commercial revenue streams, including advertising, newspaper subscriptions and sales, and third-party printing contracts.

According to its published financial statements, Kuensel reported a turnover of BTN 120.9 million (approximately USD 1.5 million) in 2022. This figure rose to BTN 145.7 million (approximately USD 1.7 million) in 2023, reflecting a modest but steady growth in income, particularly from its advertising and printing divisions.

As of mid‑2025, Kuensel has not yet released its audited financial statements for 2024, so official figures for total revenue and profit remain unpublished.

Kuensel continues to navigate the dual pressures of financial sustainability and digital transition. The company has expanded its digital offerings in response to a slow but growing shift in audience habits toward online consumption. However, challenges remain, including limited internet penetration outside urban areas and a constrained advertising market.

Editorial independence

Despite the government’s majority stake, there is no formal regulatory mechanism granting the state direct control over editorial operations. Notably, there is no evidence to suggest overt interference in the editorial decision-making process. An independent qualitative analysis conducted by the Media and Journalism Research Center in March 2023 found Kuensel’s reporting to be wide-ranging and free from overt governmental slant. This conclusion was reinforced by a subsequent content analysis in April 2024, which found its political reporting to be broadly balanced, with no discernible partisan bias.

Nevertheless, Kuensel lacks statutory safeguards or third-party oversight mechanisms to formally guarantee its editorial independence. No independent board, ombudsman, or regulatory body exists to assess or enforce impartiality standards, leaving editorial integrity reliant on internal policy and professional ethos.

July 2025