Tibetan Review

Tibetan Review is an English-language publication focused on Tibet and issues affecting Tibetans. It operates as a monthly magazine and an associated news website, presenting reporting, commentary, and views on the political, social, governmental, and broader international dimensions of the Tibetan issue. The publication is based in Delhi, India, and serves readers beyond India, including members of the Tibetan diaspora, researchers, policymakers, journalists, and others following Tibet-related affairs. The publication began in Darjeeling, West Bengal, in April 1967 under the title The Voice of Tibet. Lodi Gyari was its founding editor. In 1968, after Tenzing Ngawang Takla became editor, the magazine adopted the name Tibetan Review, which became its enduring identity. The change reflected a broader editorial and subject focus centered on Tibet and its relationship with China, India, the Tibetan exile community, and the international community. During the early 1970s, the magazine encountered financial difficulties. In 1971 it sought assistance from the Tibetan government in exile. The resulting arrangement placed Tibetan Review and the Tibetan-language magazine Sheja within a new Information Office structure in Dharamshala. Although this provided institutional support, the publication continued to develop a distinct editorial role. Editors changed several times during this period: Tenzing Namgyal Tethong served in 1972, Dawa Norbu assumed responsibility in June 1972, and Tsering Wangyal became editor in October 1976. A defining characteristic of Tibetan Review has been its claim to editorial independence. Over time, this independence led to differences between the magazine's editorial position and policies associated with the Tibetan government in exile. In April 1999, the publication responded by establishing the Tibetan Review Trust Society and returning to operation as a nongovernment-funded institution. This transition marked an important organizational turning point, separating the publication's institutional identity from direct government administration while preserving its focus on Tibetan affairs. Pema Thinley has served as editor since 1996, according to the referenced account. Under its magazine and online formats, Tibetan Review continues to provide a dedicated English-language channel for news and analysis concerning Tibet. Its subject matter places it within the specialist political and current-affairs press rather than the general-interest magazine market. The available reference material does not establish detailed circulation figures, revenue, ownership arrangements, or a formal corporate parent, so those aspects remain unspecified.

Tibetan Review originated in Darjeeling, West Bengal, in April 1967 as The Voice of Tibet. It was founded and initially edited by Lodi Gyari. The publication changed its name to Tibetan Review in 1968 when Tenzing Ngawang Takla became editor. The new title established the magazine's long-term identity as an English-language source devoted to Tibet and related political and social questions. The publication experienced financial pressure in 1971 and sought assistance from the Tibetan government in exile. In response, the government created an Information Office that housed Tibetan Review together with Sheja, a Tibetan-language magazine. The arrangement linked the magazine operationally with an official exile-government information structure, but Tibetan Review continued to develop its own editorial voice. Tenzing Namgyal Tethong served as editor during 1972, followed by Dawa Norbu from June 1972. Tsering Wangyal took over in October 1976. The magazine's subsequent history was shaped by the tension between institutional support and editorial autonomy. Its independent editorial approach increasingly diverged from positions associated with the Tibetan government in exile. In April 1999, Tibetan Review established the Tibetan Review Trust Society and returned to nongovernmental funding and administration. This reorganization was intended to protect the publication's independent status while maintaining its focus on Tibetan affairs. Pema Thinley has been editor since 1996 in the available reference account. Tibetan Review is now described as a monthly magazine and news website based in Delhi, India. Its coverage includes the Tibetan political question, government and public affairs, social developments, and related international issues. The publication's online presence extends the reach of its periodical journalism, although the available sources do not provide reliable details about circulation, staffing, finances, legal ownership, or present corporate structure.

1. 1999Creation of the Tibetan Review Trust Society

   The publication established the Tibetan Review Trust Society in April and returned to nongovernmental funding after tensions over editorial independence.

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2. 1996Pema Thinley begins editorial tenure

   Pema Thinley became editor, a role attributed to him from 1996 onward in the available reference.

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3. 1976Tsering Wangyal becomes editor

   Tsering Wangyal succeeded Dawa Norbu as editor in October 1976.

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4. 1972Editorial transition to Dawa Norbu

   Following Tenzing Namgyal Tethong's brief editorial tenure, Dawa Norbu assumed responsibility for the magazine in June.

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5. 1971Financial assistance and Information Office arrangement

   After facing financial difficulties, the magazine sought help from the Tibetan government in exile and was placed with Sheja under a newly created Information Office in Dharamshala.

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6. 1968Adoption of the Tibetan Review name

   The magazine took the name Tibetan Review when Tenzing Ngawang Takla became editor.

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7. 1967Launch as The Voice of Tibet

   The publication was established in Darjeeling, West Bengal, in April 1967 by Lodi Gyari under the title The Voice of Tibet.

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An independent English-language specialist publication focused on Tibet-related news, politics, society, governance, and international affairs.

• Tibetan Review monthly magazinePeriodical magazine1967

  The core publication is an English-language monthly magazine covering Tibet-related political, governmental, social, and international affairs. It combines news and views for readers seeking specialist coverage of the Tibetan issue rather than general-interest reporting. The magazine's historical identity developed from The Voice of Tibet, the title used at its launch in 1967.

• Tibetan Review websiteDigital news and commentary

  The publication's website extends Tibetan Review's English-language journalism beyond the monthly print cycle. It presents news and views concerning Tibet and related governmental and social issues, providing an online channel for an international readership. The available material does not specify the site's launch date or detailed publishing schedule.

• 1999Reorganization as an independent trust-supported publicationStrategy

  The magazine's editorial independence had produced differences with policies associated with the Tibetan government in exile, after an earlier period in which it operated within an Information Office arrangement.

  What changed. Tibetan Review established the Tibetan Review Trust Society and returned to nongovernmental funding and administration.

  Aftermath. The change reinforced Tibetan Review's identity as an independent publication focused on Tibetan affairs rather than a directly government-administered outlet.

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1. Tibetan Review
2. Tibetan Review official website