UNESCO: Could you present yourself and introduce how you become committed to promoting media freedom?
Namgay Zam: “Media freedom is important to me particularly because Bhutan is a young democracy and the media has a vital role to play in it. Our Constitution guarantees media freedom and Bhutan has not had a single journalist incarcerated till date, but times are evolving and journalists do find ourselves in situations of intimidation and threats, even facing lawsuits time to time - I have faced a defamation suit myself. It is through both personal and professional experiences that media freedom is dear to me. Although the apex law of our land guarantees our freedom, we also need to do our bit to articulate and protect what media freedom means.”
UNESCO: What is the mission of the Organization you are working for?
NZ: “The Journalists' Association of Bhutan/JAB's mission is primarily to protect and promote the constitutional right to information, freedom of expression and media while maintaining and promoting a high standard of ethical journalism.”
UNESCO: What will you do thanks to the grant by the Global Media Defence Fund?
NZ: “The Global Media Defence Fund will enable JAB to strengthen and fully realise our mission to protect our journalists through pro bono legal services. Such services have not been made available by media houses for their journalists for various reasons, but I believe the main reason to be financial constraint. JAB looks forward to building the confidence of our journalists through the provision of a pool of legal resources. This will be unprecedented.”
UNESCO: What will be the impact of this action?
NZ: “We expect our members/journalists to gain confidence to practice without fear or favour due to the pro bono legal assistance made available, and also due to the legal resources that will be developed to help journalists protect themselves from litigation. JAB has more than 160 members and the legal resources will be made available to every member.”
UNESCO: Any suggestions/recommendations you would like to make to UNESCO as administrator of this Fund and to its donors?
NZ: “None. Would just like to add that JAB is extremely grateful to receive this support from UNESCO.”
