But discontent is growing in Bhutan after one of the country’s best-known journalists was hit with a defamation suit for sharing a story on Facebook. But Zam and her supporters argue that freedom of the press, a cornerstone of that democracy, is now under threat. Phuntsho is seeking 2.59m Bhutanese ngultrum (about £30,000) – 10 times the average annual salary of a management executive in Bhutan. The country’s information and communications minister, DN Dhungyel, has suggested restrictions on social media could be introduced. “We’ve had periods of total media blackout on this case, people are scared of even sharing or commenting on stories on social media,” she said.

Source: The Guardian November 18, 2016 07:52 UTC