Reclusive Bhutan uneasy as Internet pushes edge

As the reclusive Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan opens up gradually to the
outside world and embraces democracy, it is finding the freedom of the Internet
both exciting and dangerous.

The Internet came to Bhutan along with television just nine years ago. In a
country where open criticism of the elite is almost unheard of, the anonymity of
the Web is giving a few people the chance to speak their minds without fear, a
Reuters report has said.

“We shiver in front of the Lyonpos (ministers) or the other high ups and fail
to utter anything because of our so-called rich culture,” one contributor, known
as coolmandala, wrote on the state-owned newspaper Kuensel's popular discussion
forum at www.kuenselonline.com.

Bhutan recently held its first ever parliamentary elections, to end a century
of royal rule. But not many people on Kuensel's site appear to agree with
coolmandala. Many talk of the 'divine mind' of the country's fourth king, and
his wise, honest, and compassionate ministers.

But it is also giving a headache to the authorities, who say they are
committed to a free press, but, in practice, find even Bhutan's very
mild-mannered newspapers hard to cope with. Last year, the government decided to
block access to a foreign-hosted website, www.bhutantimes.com, for a bitter
attack on the king's uncle, Sangay Ngedup, whose political party was soundly
defeated in elections.

There are two main taboos inside Bhutan. No criticism of the king is allowed.
And no mention of national security issues-in other words no criticism of
government policy toward the ethnic Nepali, mainly Hindu minority. Around
100,000 ethnic Nepali refugees live in camps inside Nepal.