Thimphu hosted the 10th Annual Journalism Awards (AJA) 2026 history, coinciding with World Press Freedom Day, bringing together the country’s media fraternity to celebrate excellence in journalism. An aggregate of 28 awards was presented across print, radio, TV, and digital platforms, including recognition for the Most Promising youthful intelligencer of the Time. Of these, 18 awards were in print, five in TV, four in digital journalism, and one in radio. The event was graced by Assiduity, Commerce and Employment Minister Namgyal Dorji as principal guest, alongside structure and Transport Minister Chandra Bahadur Gurung, Opposition Leader Pema Chewang, and other dignitaries. Organized by the intelligencers’ Association of Bhutan (JAB) in collaboration with the Department of Media, Creative Industry and Intellectual Property under the profitable encouragement Plan, the awards stressed the growing depth and diversity of Bhutanese journalism.
In the broadcast order, BBS intelligencer Phuntsho Namgyal won both television Host of the Time and Talk Show of the Time. Air Wangdi entered the TV News Story of the Year award, while Namgyel Wangchuk won Documentary of the Time(Dzongkha). The Cameraman of the Year award went to Chundu Lham, Pema Dorji, and Dechen Penjour of BBS Channel 3. In radio, Leela Raika of BBS was fete with Radio Programme of the Time.
In print, The Bhutanese editor Tenzing Lamsang secured two major awards Business Story of the Time and Investigative Story of the Time. Tshering Dema from the same publication won Crime Story of the Year and Women and Children Story of the Time. Monika Rai entered the Climate Change Story of the Time, while Chencho Dema was recognized for Disability Story of the Time.
Kezang Choden of Bhutan Today won for climate change and environmental reporting, while freelancer Dechen Wangdi outgunned the digital order. Kuensel surfaced as the biggest winner, bagging 13 awards across multiple orders. Managing Editor Kinley Tshering won Editorial of the Time, while Yam Kumar Poudel secured awards for husbandry/ food security and climate reporting. Other winners from Kuensel included Neten Dorji, Ugyen Dorji, Karma Kezang, Sonam Phuntsho, Dorji Choden, Thinley Namgay, and Jigme Wangdi across orders ranging from health and terrain to culture and features.
Yam Kumar Poudel was also named the Most Promising youthful intelligencer of the Time, while Tandin Tshering from Samuh entered the Social Media Journalism Award, reflecting the growing part of digital liar. The event also saw the launch of JAB’s periodic report and the Bhutan Press Mirror. Now in its 10th edition, the Annual Journalism Awards continue to promote journalistic integrity and inspire the coming generation of media professionals in Bhutan.
