(VOVworld) – Vietnam hasrecorded great progress in freedom of press and speech, contributing to promoting human rights. VOV reporter Thu Hoa comments on freedom of press in Vietnam to mark Vietnam’s Revolutionary Press Day, June 21, and Vietnam’s presentation of its human rights achievements at the 26th session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, Switzerland.
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Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam met with representatives of press agencies on the 89th anniversary of Vietnam's Revolutionary Press Day
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Vietnam has nearly 17,000 licensed reporters who are working in 838 press agencies that produce 1,100 press publications. It has 1 news agency, 67 radio and television stations, 101 TV channels, 78 radio channels, 74 online newspapers and magazines, 336 social networks, and 1,174 websites. Radio the Voice of Vietnam broadcasts to 99.5% of Vietnam’s territory and via satellite to many other countries. More than 90% of households in Vietnam have access to national TV programs and 75 foreign channels such as CNN, AFP, AP, BBC, VOA, Reuters, Kyodo, Economist, and Financial Times.
Creating conditions for press development
In order to ensure that its communications systems grow on a par with social development, besides regulations in the Constitution and Press Law, the State has made a point to creating favorable conditions for the mass media to perform their function and expanding freedom of speech and press. In November, 2012, the National Assembly approved the revised Law on Publication respecting people’s Constitutional right to disseminate publications. Last July, Vietnam issued Decree 72 on managing, supplying, and using the internet and online information to create a legal framework for media development. Minister of Information and Communications Nguyen Bac Son said: “Under the direction of the Prime Minister, the Ministry of Information and Communications has compiled a draft plan for Vietnamese press development until 2020. When the plan is approved, it will be the basis for building a stronger and more professional revolutionary press. It will contribute to citizens’ rights and obligations in exercising freedom of speech.”
Vietnam ranks 3rd in Southeast Asia and 8th in Asia in number of internet users.
Freedom of press promotes human rights
The development of the press has met people’s demand to expand their knowledge, create forums for social organizations and people to discuss and criticize the State’s guidelines, improve democracy, and protect and promote human rights. In most cases, the mass media is a tool to protect social interests and citizen rights and supervise the implementation of law and policies. Many press agencies have engaged in investigating and fighting corruption and criticizing violations of citizen rights and negative social phenomenon. The mass media has reported to the people discussions on national key issues and reflected their viewpoints.
Freedom of speech and press is an important factor in national stability and development. It’s the direct reflection of a national human rights policy. The Vietnamese government has fully abided by the International Declaration on Human Rights and the UN Convention on Civil and Political Rights.