𝐀𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐄𝐧𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐜𝐞 𝐙𝐞𝐫𝐨 𝐓𝐨𝐥𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐓𝐨𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝 𝐇𝐚𝐫𝐦𝐟𝐮𝐥 𝐎𝐧𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐭

…𝒎𝒖𝒍𝒕𝒊-𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒏𝒈𝒆𝒅 𝒂𝒑𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒂𝒄𝒉 𝒊𝒏𝒕𝒆𝒈𝒓𝒂𝒕𝒆𝒔 𝒎𝒐𝒓𝒂𝒍 𝒔𝒂𝒇𝒆𝒈𝒖𝒂𝒓𝒅𝒔 𝒊𝒏𝒕𝒐 𝒏𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒂𝒍 𝒅𝒊𝒈𝒊𝒕𝒂𝒍 𝒔𝒕𝒓𝒂𝒕𝒆𝒈𝒚

By Kinzang Lhamo

As Bhutan accelerates its digital transformation, concerns over harmful and inappropriate online content have become increasingly prominent. In response, the National Assembly has passed a resolution mandating zero tolerance toward pornographic and violent online materials. The Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Employment (MoICE), tasked with implementing this mandate, recently submitted an action taken report detailing Bhutan’s emerging framework for ethical digital governance.

According to the report, the forthcoming National Information and Media Policy “will include provisions that enforce zero tolerance toward pornographic-related and violent content shared or accessed online.”
Strengthening institutional capacity forms a central pillar of the reform. Acknowledging the need for more robust enforcement, the Ministry has endorsed the creation of a dedicated Enforcement and Compliance Division under the Bhutan InfoComm and Media Authority (BICMA).

The report states that “the Ministry fully supports the establishment of a separate Enforcement and Compliance Division under BICMA to oversee all enforcement and compliance functions.” The proposal, currently under ministerial review, is expected to significantly enhance BICMA’s ability to monitor, detect, and respond to digital misconduct.
Beyond enforcement measures, public awareness and digital ethics education feature prominently in Bhutan’s strategy. MoICE noted it “will support and follow the lead of the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Ministry of Education and Skills Development in nationwide sensitization programs on digital ethics and compliance awareness campaigns.”
These programs, particularly those targeting youth, parents, and educators, aim to nurture responsible digital citizenship rooted in the principles of Gross National Happiness.

MoICE is also working to strengthen BICMA’s overall capacity through targeted training, budgetary support, and periodic performance reviews. The report highlights that “the Ministry continues to strengthen the operational abilities of BICMA through timely interventions in HR capacity building, budgeting, and periodic review of programs and KPIs.”
Legislative updates are also underway. In collaboration with the GovTech Agency, the Ministry is contributing to amendments to the Bhutan Information, Communications and Media Act of 2018, aimed at expanding BICMA’s authority and bolstering institutional independence.

A significant portion of the report emphasizes safeguarding national unity and security in the digital space. MoICE, through BICMA, has been coordinating closely with the Royal Bhutan Police (RBP), the Department of Law and Order (DLO), and major global platforms such as Meta and TikTok to monitor and report harmful online content.
“The Ministry through BICMA is working in close collaboration with the RBP, DLO and social media platforms such as TikTok and Meta in monitoring and reporting content that is detrimental and threatens national unity, peace and social cohesion,” the report notes.

This collaboration led to the removal of 17 harmful online contents between July and October 2025.
Taken together, this multi-pronged strategy, combining policy reform, institutional strengthening, civic awareness, and international cooperation, highlights country’s growing sophistication in digital governance. By integrating cultural values and ethical considerations into digital regulation, Bhutan demonstrates that ensuring safe online spaces is not only a legal or technical exercise but also a social and moral responsibility.

MoICE’s action taken report reflects a decisive move toward strengthening digital governance grounded in Bhutanese values. Through measures that enforce zero tolerance, build enforcement capacity, and promote digital ethics, Bhutan is shaping a framework where technological progress aligns with cultural integrity.