Kuensel (which translates to “clarity” in Dzongkha, the local language spoken in Bhutan) is the national newspaper of the Bhutanese kingdom. The company held a monopoly on the local Bhutanese newspaper market until 2006, when two privately owned newspapers were launched in the country.
Media assets
Publishing: Kuensel
State Media Matrix Typology: Independent State-Managed/Owned (ISM)
Ownership and governance
The government owns 51% of Kuensel Corporation and thus has the authority to make key decisions regarding the company’s management.
Source of funding and budget
Kuensel generates the majority of its revenue through commercial activities, including advertising sales, printing services, and newspaper sales.
In 2022, the company generated a turnover of BTN 120.9m (US$ 1.5m), as detailed in the financial report filed with the stock exchange. In 2023, the company’s total income was BTN 145.7m (US$ 1.7m), as detailed in the company’s financial report.
Editorial independence
The government does not impose any rules on Kuensel, and there is no evidence of government interference in the newspaper’s editorial coverage. Furthermore, an ad hoc analysis conducted for this report in March 2023 revealed that the news content on Kuensel is diverse and devoid of any discernible government bias. A further content analysis conducted in April 2024 confirmed that Kuensel’s coverage is politically balanced and free from any significant bias.
To date, no domestic statute and no independent assessment or oversight mechanism to validate Kuensel’s editorial independence has been identified.
September 2024