Media literacy, still low in Bhutan

 ...media literacy, is still low in Bhutan and today I came to know Media Studies will be discontinued in schools as a subject...."

Did we forget what happened recently?

The previous week, social media was flooded with posts and videos of Bhutanese being scammed. 

Within a week, 10 cases of the online scam were reported to the Royal Bhutan Police, Thimphu. 

Bitcoin mining, Kaun Banega Crorepati (KBC), and American DV are the three mediums on Telegram, Instagram and WhatsApp that the scammers have tried to scam the public. Several Bhutanese have fallen victim to online scams. 

The government must improve user abilities to use ICT tools and online access services, raise awareness, develop a digital literacy training programme, and build ICT skills among citizens to make technology usage a success.

One of the reports by RBP says that the victims have lost Nu. 350, 000 to the scammers.

Even at this stage, the rate of media literacy in Bhutan is still low. The scammers were not within reach as they were using different numbers to contact people and alternate accounts to transfer the amount. 

The Bhutan CIRT which deals with the country's cyber security has been advocating and alerting Bhutanese to be cautious and refrain from sharing personal details with unknown accounts.

There are a total of 553.6 thousand social media users in Bhutan and research found that emphasizing media literacy is crucial if the Digital Drukyul Flagship is to succeed. 

Bhutan aims to achieve digital Druk Yul and such incidents are negative factors affecting the attainment of the flagship program. 

This is why a more comprehensive understanding of digital literacy should comprise a person's level of preparedness in terms of assimilation, utilisation, and operation of digital technologies to create a digitally inclusive community.

Way forward

A well-discussed plan is a must in the country to determine citizens' technological requirements and computer literacy skills. 

There is also a requirement to offer training programmes by educational institutions to enhance students' media literacy skills. 

Implementing a strong and efficient channel-management strategy is also advised, as is raising awareness of the previously deployed e-government solutions through significant promotion or marketing initiatives.