(VOVWORLD) -Vietnam’s revolutionary press began when leader Nguyen Ai Quoc established the “Thanh nien” (Youth) newspaper in 1925. June 21 is now observed as Vietnam’s Revolutionary Press Day to acknowledge the role and social responsibility of the press, improve relations between news agencies and the public, and strengthen the Party’s press leadership.
Vietnam has 17,000 licensed reporters working at 838 news agencies. There are 1,100 press publications produced by these news agency, plus 67 radio and TV stations, 74 online newspapers, 336 social networks, and 1,174 web portals. Radio and TV broadcasts reach 90% of the population.
Conditions for press development
The Vietnamese government has paid careful attention to creating an environment in which the mass media can fulfill their tasks and social responsibility and which promotes freedom of speech and freedom of the press.
The Press Law and Decree 72 on managing, providing, and using the Internet and online information have created a legal corridor in which the press can develop. The Ministry of Information and Communications has fine-tuned the draft version of Vietnam Press Planning Until 2020 to build a strong, modern, revolutionary press during Vietnam’s international integration process. Policies on the press and the Internet have pushed Vietnam to 3rd place in Southeast Asia and 8th place in Asia Internet usage, and other types of mass media have also been booming.
Social responsibility of the press
The media have provided the public with news and information and created forums for social organizations and individuals to contribute their opinions to government policies, improving democracy and promoting human rights. In many cases the press has been a tool to protect the public interest and civil rights, and to oversee the enforcement of laws by administrative agencies.
Press agencies have actively engaged in the fight against corruption, human rights violations, and other negative phenomena. The mass media have carried discussions of national issues to keep the public informed.
The press accompanies national development and integration
Vietnam’s press plays an important role in national reform and integration. It has inspired and guided the public to be creative and work together for a better society. The media has kept the public informed about State agencies, promoting the principle “people know, people discuss, people monitor”. The press has shown respect for, and reflected, people’s wishes and kept them informed on matters that affect their interests.