Status: Not Free
Legal Environment: 26
Political Influences: 21
Economic Pressures: 25
Total Score: 72

Population: n/a
GNI/capita: n/a
Life Expectancy: 66
Religious Groups: n/a
Ethnic Groups: Bhote (50 percent), Nepalese (35 percent), indigenous or migrant tribes (15 percent)
Capital: Thimphu

Except for reporting some criticism of the government during meetings of the national assembly, the independent weekly Kuensel, Bhutan's only regularly published periodical, and the government-run Bhutan Broadcasting Service carry only news and information favorable to the regime. Radio and television services do not carry opposition viewpoints. Authorities routinely ignore an official ban on receiving satellite television broadcasts. Cable television thrives in some areas but is hampered by a 30 percent sales tax and the absence of a media and broadcasting law.

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