The Member from Lamgong-Wangchang constituency moved the motion to strengthen regulatory enforcement and institute a zero-tolerance policy on pornographic-related online content in the Kingdom of Bhutan today.

The Member highlighted that while the Constitution guarantees fundamental rights and freedoms, it also permits reasonable restrictions in the interest of national unity, security, and the protection of public morality. The Member expressed serious concern over the rising proliferation of pornographic, violent, and morally degrading content across digital platforms, including social media and streaming services, which poses a grave threat to the psychological well-being of youth and the cultural fabric of Bhutanese society.

He further stated that advancements in digital technologies, particularly Artificial Intelligence (AI), have exacerbated the problem by accelerating the production and dissemination of such harmful content. Despite the existence of legal frameworks, he noted that the current enforcement mechanisms remain inadequate in addressing the scale and complexity of the challenge.

The Member proposed the adoption of a zero-tolerance policy on all forms of pornographic and unethical digital content and submitted the following recommendations for the House’s consideration:

1. The Government is directed to implement, with immediate effect, a zero-tolerance policy in the enforcement of all existing laws and regulations relating to the dissemination and consumption of pornographic, violent and unethical content across all digital and media platforms.

2. A well-resourced and technically proficient Content Monitoring and Enforcement Division to be established within the Bhutan InfoComm and Media Authority (BICMA).

3. The Ministry of Home Affairs, in collaboration with the Ministry of Education and Skills Development, to  initiate a nationwide digital ethics and compliance campaign.

4. The Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Employment to undertake an immediate assessment of BICMA's institutional and operational capacity, and where necessary, propose amendments to the Information, Communications and Media Act 2018 to strengthen BICMA's mandate, autonomy, and enforcement powers.

5. All relevant government agencies and law enforcement bodies to remain vigilant and act in concert to prevent the use of any media platform to promote regionalism, discord, or content that threatens Bhutan's unity, peace, and social cohesion.

In response, several ministers acknowledged the growing threat posed by the widespread use of social media such as TikTok, Facebook, WhatsApp, and WeChat. The Minister for Home Affairs highlighted the rise in online pornography and scams and outlined initiatives such as awareness videos and outreach programs targeting students, law enforcement, and local leaders. The Ministry is also working with BICMA to monitor digital platforms and promote responsible online behavior. The Minister for Foreign Affairs addressed the dangers of misinformation and defamation, stating that the Prime Minister has instructed relevant ministries to develop a system to monitor and manage these challenges, with groundwork already underway. The Minister for Education and Skills Development expressed concern over students’ vulnerability to harmful content and affirmed collaboration with the Home Affairs Ministry to mitigate risks. The Minister for Energy and Natural Resources stressed the necessity of policy to ensure the safe use of technology and artificial intelligence, particularly to protect young children. The Minister for Industry, Commerce and Employment mentioned that existing laws are in place and actively monitored, while the Minister for Health pointed to the misuse of anonymity online as a major issue and proposed that the Ministry be tasked with further research into more effective solutions. Other Members also expressed their concerns and supported the motion, underpinning the urgency of preserving Bhutan’s cultural values and protecting vulnerable populations, especially youth, from the negative impacts of unregulated digital content.

The House endorsed all five Recommendations with all 41 members present voting in favour. With regard to Recommendations 2, the House directed the concerned Ministry to assess the necessity of a separate division. The House also resolved that the Government review and implement the recommendations with the aim of safeguarding national values and public morality in the digital age. Additionally, all relevant ministries, the Royal Bhutan Police, and concerned agencies were instructed to carry out a comprehensive review and research on the issue, with findings to be presented in the upcoming Winter Session.