The Bhutan Media Foundation (BMF), in collaboration with the Department of Media, Creative Industry and Intellectual Property (DOMCIIP), successfully conducted a three-day Basic Journalism Training from 14–16 April 2025 at Metta Resort, Paro. The training brought together 18 enthusiastic high school and college graduates passionate about journalism and storytelling. Designed to provide foundational knowledge and practical skills, the programme aimed to equip young aspiring journalists with essential tools for ethical and impactful reporting.

The training began with Mr. Samten Wangchuk, former Editor of Kuensel and now with Dhensel Research and Consulting, who introduced participants to news values, types of news, and effective techniques for news writing. Through guided exercises and live interviews around the venue, participants practised structuring their own news stories. On Day 2, Mr. Ugyen Tenzin, Chief Editor of Business Bhutan, led sessions on interviewing techniques and storytelling, while Ms. Namgay Zam, Communications & Grower Engagement Manager at Mountain Hazelnuts, conducted engaging sessions on multimedia storytelling, focusing on combining text, images, audio, and video. Participants also had the opportunity to interact with the Director of DOMCIIP, adding to their understanding of Bhutan’s media and creative sectors.

Day 3 focused on journalistic ethics and real-world experience. Mr. Needrup Zangpo led a session on responsible and ethical reporting, followed by an engaging talk by Mr. YK Poudel, who shared his experience as a young journalist—providing a relatable perspective for the participants. Later, the participants embarked on a field reporting assignment under the guidance of Mr. Sherub Dorji, followed by story pitching and group feedback.

BMF extends its heartfelt gratitude to DOMCIIP for funding the training, to all the trainers for generously sharing their expertise, and to the participants for their energy and commitment. All 18 participants were awarded certificates of successful completion, marking the end of an enriching learning journey. Through initiatives like this, BMF reaffirms its commitment to building a more informed, skilled, and ethical media landscape in Bhutan.