Freedom of the press in Vietnam is always respected.

Freedom of the press or freedom of information is one of the most fundamental human rights, recognized by most countries in written laws, even the Constitution. The Declaration of Human Rights and Civil Rights also mentions and recognizes this freedom of every citizen. The Press Law 2016 stipulates citizens' rights to freedom of the press and freedom of speech in the press. In which: "The State creates favorable conditions for citizens to exercise their rights to freedom of the press, freedom of speech in the press and for the press to properly promote its role". In fact, not only professional reporters and journalists but all citizens have the right to create journalistic works and the right to express their opinions in the press.

Accordingly, freedom of the press is the right of citizens to create journalistic works, access journalistic information, provide information to the press, respond to information in the press, associate with press agencies to produce journalistic products, print and distribute printed newspapers. The press plays a role as a means for citizens to exercise their freedom of speech. Accordingly, citizens have the right to create journalistic works, provide information to the press, respond to information in the press, access journalistic information, and associate with press agencies to produce journalistic products. [caption id="attachment_1202129" align="aligncenter" width="800"] Photo Collection[/caption] Freedom of the press is stipulated in the 2013 Constitution: "Citizens have the right to freedom of speech, freedom of the press, access to information, assembly, association, and demonstration. The exercise of these rights is prescribed by law" and many important laws such as the Press Law and the Cyber ​​Security Law. Regarding the responsibility of press agencies for citizens' freedom of speech and freedom of speech in the press, such as publishing and broadcasting citizens' petitions, criticisms, news, articles, photos and other press works in accordance with their principles and purposes and without prescribed content, in case of not publishing or broadcasting, they must respond and state the reason when requested, as well as respond or request the organization or competent person to respond in writing or in the press to the petitions, complaints and denunciations sent by citizens. In addition, prohibited acts in the field of journalism are regulated as posting and broadcasting information against the Socialist Republic of Vietnam with content that distorts, defames, denies the people's government, fabricates, causes confusion among the people, and causes psychological warfare. [caption id="attachment_1202148" align="aligncenter" width="883"] Photo Collection[/caption] Posting or broadcasting information with content that causes division among the people, between the people and the people's government, the people's armed forces, political organizations, socio-political organizations, causing hatred, discrimination, division, ethnic secession, violating the right to equality in the community of Vietnamese ethnic groups, causing division between religious people and non-religious people, between people of different religions, dividing religious believers and the people's government, political organizations, socio-political organizations; insulting religious beliefs, undermining the implementation of the policy of international solidarity. Posting or broadcasting information with content that incites war against the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, distorting history; denying revolutionary achievements; Insulting the nation, national heroes, disclosing information on the list of state secrets, personal privacy secrets and other secrets as prescribed by law, information promoting bad customs, superstitions and heresies; information about mystical stories that cause confusion in society, negatively affect social order, safety and health of the community, incite violence; propagating depraved lifestyles; meticulously describing obscene acts and criminal acts; information that is not in accordance with Vietnamese customs and traditions. Information that is false, distorted, slanderous, or insults the reputation of agencies, organizations, honor and dignity of individuals; attributing crimes without a court verdict; information that affects the normal physical and mental development of children. Printing, distributing, transmitting, broadcasting press products, press works, information content in press works that have been suspended from publication, withdrawn, confiscated, banned from circulation, removed, destroyed, or information content that the press agency has corrected, obstructing the printing, distributing, transmitting, broadcasting of press products, information products of a legal press nature to the public, threatening, intimidating the life, insulting the honor and dignity of journalists and reporters; destroying, seizing means, documents, obstructing journalists and reporters from performing their professional activities in accordance with the law. However, like other rights of citizens, the exercise of freedom of speech and freedom of the press must be within the framework of the law. Accordingly, when exercising the freedom of speech and freedom of the press, citizens must comply with the provisions of the law to protect the social regime, protect the state and not affect the rights and interests of others.

Thu Hang