Bhutan: the last place

Bhutan, a small Buddhist kingdom nestled in the Himalayas, was the last country on Earth without television until 1999.

This isolation was not accidental but a deliberate choice reflecting its unique cultural and spiritual values.

Bhutan’s government, influenced by Buddhist principles, aimed to preserve its traditions and protect its people from external influences perceived as potentially disruptive.

The country’s remote location and deliberate policy of limited modernization contributed to this status.

Television, seen as a potential source of cultural erosion, was banned to maintain Bhutan’s social harmony and traditional way of life.

The ban lasted until the late 20th century, making Bhutan a rare exception in a world rapidly embracing global media.