Vietnam consistently ensures freedom of the press: Foreign ministry spokesperson
Vietnam absolutely rejects the untruthful content based on inaccurate and non-objective information about the country in a report released by the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), foreign ministry spokesperson Le Thi Thu Hang has said.
A reporter works in a quarantine area of the National Institute of Hematology and Blood Transfusion. (Photo: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) - Vietnam absolutely rejects the untruthful content based on inaccurate and non-objective information about the country in a report released bythe Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), foreign ministry spokesperson Le ThiThu Hang has said.
Hang made the statement at a regular press conference of her ministry in Hanoi on December 17 whileresponding to reporters’ questions about Vietnam’s reaction to informationin the CPJ 2020 report, which alleges the Government is becoming increasingly strict in its control of the press.
Vietnam always supports and ensures the enforcement of press freedom, which is enshrinedin the 2013 Constitution and a wide range of related legal documents, and is evidencedby the strong growth of the press in the country in recent times, Hang said.
As of the end of 2019, Vietnam had 868press agencies and 125 TV channels, with mobile networks reaching 99.7 percent ofthe population, she said, adding that 64 million Vietnamese use the internet and62 million have social media accounts.
In Vietnam, just like in any other rules-basedcountry in the world, every citizen is equal in front of the law and anyone whobreaks the law will be handled in accordance with judicial procedures as codifiedin existing laws./.
The 2016 Press Law is not written for journalists only, Ho Quang Loi, Permanent Vice Chairman of the Vietnam Journalists’ Association, speaks to the media on the occasion of Vietnam Journalist’s Day.
The Human Rights Watch (HRW) and the Al Jazeera TV channel have provided inaccurate information with a lack of objectivity and goodwill about the human rights situation in Vietnam, especially freedom of speech and freedom of internet.
The website freedomhouse.org recently posted the Freedom in the World 2018 report, which maintained biased views and misleading assessments, despite many countries’ opposition.
Foreign Ministry deputy spokesman Ngo Toan Thang on April 23 said that the 2019 World Press Freedom Index from Reporters Without Borders (RSF) that ranks Vietnam in 176th place out of the 180 countries is untrustworthy and unpersuasive.
Today, the press for foreign service has evolved into a distinct, irreplaceable force, bridging Vietnam with the world and portraying a nation that is stable, peace-loving, and fully integrated into the international community.
At a review conference held on June 21, Deputy Minister of Construction Nguyen Van Sinh praised the province’s scientific, coordinated, and flexible approach. He noted that the early completion reflects the strong commitment of local authorities, the business community, philanthropists, and residents in improving housing conditions for disadvantaged groups.
The VNA delegation, led by General Director Vu Viet Trang, actively participated in the event, engaging in both professional and diplomatic activities.
In the context where AI dominates and produces vast volumes of content, the only sustainable path forward for journalism is to focus on high-quality content and core values. Journalism must redefine its mission - not to report the fastest, but to provide the most profound and trustworthy value.
Granma and the VNA have great potential for cooperation, especially in sharing content regularly, so that VNA products are published on Granma platforms and vice versa, thereby helping Cuban and Vietnamese people access true information and gain a deep understanding of each other's country and people.
During his stay in China’s Guangzhou city from 1924 to 1927 to prepare for the establishment of a Communist Party to lead Vietnam’s revolution, President Ho Chi Minh founded “Thanh nien” newspaper and released its first issue on June 21, 1925.
Vietnam and Cambodia are hoped to strengthen their robust collaboration across various sectors, particularly in resolving remaining border issues to transform the border area into a zone of peace, friendship, cooperation, and development.
The strategic product, managed and operated by the Vietnam News Agency Digital Media Centre (VNA Media), is an official channel for popularising the Party and State’s information and documents as well as delivering mainstream and trustworthy news to both domestic and international audiences through various kinds of multimedia formats.
Since President Ho Chi Minh founded Thanh Nien (Young People) newspaper in 1925, the Vietnamese revolutionary press has become the voice of the people. During the resistance war against the colonialists, journalists took great personal risks to inspire patriotism and the will of rising up against foreign invaders.
The total investment exceeded 319 billion VND (12.2 million USD), including over 261 billion VND from the state budget and 57.5 billion VND mobilised from businesses, organisations, and individuals.
The Mekong Delta province of Tien Giang is intensifying efforts to combat illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing as part of the country’s goal of having the European Commission’s “yellow card” warning lifted.
Throughout its 80-year history, the VNA has remained at the forefront of information dissemination. It has consistently delivered timely, accurate, and objective reports on both domestic and international events, serving the Party’s leadership, the State’s management, and the public’s demand for official news.
With strong support from local authorities, businesses, organisations, and residents, the province has successfully built or repaired 10,707 homes for disadvantaged households, including war veterans, families of martyrs, ethnic minority people, and low-income residents.
Throughout its resistance against colonialists and imperialists, Vietnam developed a revolutionary press that has served as a benchmark for just and legitimate causes worldwide.
Founded in 1842, the Vienna Philharmonic is regarded as a cultural ambassador of Austria, with prestigious conductors like Mahler and Karajan who shape its legacy. Its New Year’s Concert, broadcast to over 90 countries annually, stands as a global symbol of classical music excellence.
PM Chinh lauded the press’s historic role in the nation’s fight for independence and its ongoing process of national development, affirming that the Government always highly appreciates the close partnership and steadfast support of press agencies and journalists nationwide.
In recent decades, Vietnam’s mainstream media has become a reliable and persuasive channel for showcasing the nation’s development policies and achievements, especially in economic matters, according to a senior assistant editor at the Times of India.
A hub for sharing best practices, the event aims to forge solutions for financial sustainability, public media contracts, audience engagement, content innovation, and newsroom restructuring. It is also a moment for Vietnam’s media to accelerate its progress and figure out what the “revolutionary press” means in a new era.
A reporter works in a quarantine area of the National Institute of Hematology and Blood Transfusion. (Photo: VNA) 
