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Freedom of expression and press in Vietnam
Freedom of expression and press in Vietnam
9/5/14
Freedom of expression and press is always a global issue. It not only concerns leaders of all nations but also a basic human right, a fundamental need in any country during the process of development, particularly in this era of the information explosion. However, in a specific political regime, the connotation of freedom of expression and press is understood differently, due to different approaches and even the opposing political motivations of various interest groups.
Freedom of expression
and press is one of the fundamental human goals, to obtain their right to
information, public discussion, communication, reflecting the people’s will and
aspirations publicly through the mass media.
That is a fact when the
ruling class still plays a progressive role in history, freedom of expression
and the press play an important role in social development. And, on the
contrary, when the ruling class becomes a force that hinders society’s
progress, “freedom of expression” cannot be obtained, in the literal meaning of
this phrase. By analyzing subjective and objective conditions in any political
regime and society, it can be said that there is no pure freedom of expression
and press; not to mention the so-called “absolute freedom of press” as the
bourgeois class claims.
In capitalist society,
the press operates in accordance with bourgeois law. What they call “freedom of
press” has been truncated in the interests of the ruling class. For example:
The US Constitution stipulates that Congress has no right to issue any document
that limits freedom of the press and speech. However, in 1789 the US Congress
passed an Act that said the writing, printing, and delivering of any
untruthful, offensive or malicious documents against the government were
crimes.
The laws of other
countries, in principle, acknowledge freedom of press and speech, but do not
consider it an “absolute freedom”. This completely corresponds to the UN 1948
Universal Declaration on Human Rights, whose article 29 states that “in the
exercise of his rights and freedoms, everyone shall be subject only to such
limitations as are determined by law solely for the purpose of securing due
recognition and respect for the rights and freedoms of others and of meeting
the just requirements of morality, public order and the general welfare in a
democratic society”.
These examples show that
no single country in the world considers “freedom of expression” and “freedom
of the press” as absolutes.
Freedom of press in
Vietnam
In its legal aspects,
all Vietnam’s
constitutional have so far (1946, 1959, 1980, 1992) included regulations on
freedom of expression and press, saying this one of the most fundamental rights
of the people and all citizens. With each redrafting of the Constitution these
regulations are inherited and developed to match Vietnam’s specific conditions and
historical circumstances.
Those who lack good will
say that in Vietnam
there is no freedom of press because there is no private press (!). They
deliberately ignore the fact that in the recent past, the Vietnamese press has
made a giant leap forward in terms of quantity, formats, publications, the
number of media practitioners, and quantity of audiences, technological
facilities, financial capacity, and the various communication agencies’
increased positive impact on society. Almost all ministries, branches, sectors
and organizations from central to local level, social classes and strata,
professional associations, circles and major religions have their own
newspapers.
In Vietnam, the
press has truly been the organ of the Party, State, political, social and
professional organizations; a forum and an important tool to protect the
interests and rights to freedom for people from all walks of life. Everyone has
the right to express their aspirations, opinions and recommendations on all
aspects of our social life via the mass media, including the press.
Furthermore, by working for or being a member of an organization, a person is
provided with a publication of that organization to make sure that all his/her
demands and rights to be informed are met. That’s why, the majority of social
strata in Vietnam
find it unnecessary to have a privately-published newspaper.
Freedom of the press is
relative in any society because freedom of the press should be exercised in
accordance with the law, guided by law and suitable to the specific historical
conditions of each country. Opportunists and hostile forces have spread the
news: “Vietnam
suppresses dissidents” (!). This is a sheer fabrication and slander. In fact
several people have faced administrative or legal processes due to their use of
the mass-media to distort and cook up information in order to incite protests
against the Vietnamese Party and State.
Reality has proved that
in Vietnam
there is genuine freedom of expression and the press based on a journalist’s
strict compliance with the law and upholding their social responsibilities and
duties as citizens during national construction and defence. If someone
deliberately takes advantage of democracy and freedom of expression and press
to publicly oppose the Party and State and runs counter to national interests,
he/she will be dealt with equally and strictly by the administration or law.
This is evident and not different from any independent, sovereign country!
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All comments [ 10 ]
I don't see where press and reports can express their opinions publicly like in Vietnam. What more do they want?
Freedom of the press is relative in any society because freedom of the press should be exercised in accordance with the law, guided by law and suitable to the specific historical conditions of each country
The government should have measures to monitor press activities to make sure they operates into right direction for national interests.
We already have enough freedom of expression and press!
I agree with Van Nhan, there is always limit for freedom of expression and press in any country, even US, France,...
In Vietnam, reporters and journalists have a certain position in society and they still want more, unacceptable!
They should be careful about what they post on Internet. A young man who posted some provocative statements that go against national interests even on his Facebook has been condemned by many people and wanted to beat him.
In Vietnam, Everyone has the right to express their aspirations, opinions and recommendations on all aspects of our social life via the mass media, including the press.
Hostile forces and reactionaries still call for freedom of expression and press, I don't know what they think.
They should take some recent arrests of Nguyen Huu Vinh - blogger Anhbasam and others bloggers as examples to consider the way they do their jobs.
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