Hanoi (VNA) – Minister of Information and Communications Truong Minh Tuanemphasised the importance of the mainstream media in orienting the currents of rightinformation on social networks during a Q&A session at the 14th National Assembly’s ongoing fourth session on November 17.

It isnecessary to use positive information on the media to beat negative informationposted on social networks, Tuan said when answering a query on the ministry’sbreakthrough measures to manage information on social networks.

Tuan sharedthat his ministry has worked with various offices involved to disseminatepositive information and minimise negative and erroneous news on social networks,and clarify the great role as well as limitations of social networks.

According tothe minister, currently, Vietnam has more than 300 domestic social networks.However, most of Internet users much prefer to foreign ones, especiallyFacebook and Google.

The ministryworked with representatives from the foreign networks asking to obey Vietnam’slaw when operating in Vietnam’s territory.

As a result,nearly 5,000 clips on YouTube which harm interests of the Vietnamese Party,State and people as well as personal rights have been removed, Tuan said.

On aquestion on how to classify harmful news, Tuan referred to any informationwhich threatens national security, incites war, targets overthrowing the Stateor changing the institution, offends other people, or threatens others’ health,life and dignity.

Respondingto deputies’ concern over violations in performance of several newspapers andreporters, Minister Tuan cited the Press Law 2016 as saying that publishingdistorted news and those worrying people is banned.

As an agencyundertaking State management over press activities, the ministry has regularlycoordinated with the Party Central Committee’s Information and EducationCommission in controlling the implementation of press-related legal regulations,particularly those related to information contents and press activities.

Last year,the ministry issued administrative sanctions to nearly 150 press agencies – thebiggest-ever number.

He stated anyinformation that intentionally or unintentionally harms interests of the Stateand people must be punished strictly, while admitting cases of reporters foundto have violated law and intimidated businesses.

The ministryresolutely dealt with these cases, he said, adding that five teams have beenset up to inspect this kind of violation in the central, Central Highlands andSouthwestern regions.

He askednews agencies to send capable, virtuous reporters to work in their local representativeoffices.

He affirmed that press agencies have always covered all activities of the Party,State and people, and pioneered in bringing into life all guidelines of theParty and law and policies of the State.-VNA