Vietnam always respects and ensures freedom of the press.

The press team is constantly growing and maturing.

On May 3, 2023, Reporters Without Borders (RSF) announced the “2023 Press Freedom Ranking”, in which the Vietnamese press was ranked second to last. The information provided in RSF’s “2023 Press Freedom Ranking” is not objective and does not reflect the reality of press freedom and freedom of expression in Vietnam…

More dangerously, erroneous and hostile views on press freedom in Vietnam also create a distorted and unsympathetic view of Vietnam in the international community; negatively affecting the international community's assessment of Vietnam's human rights and development issues.

The reality of press freedom in Vietnam is not as distorted and fabricated by anti-government elements. Freedom of speech and freedom of the press in Vietnam are always respected and guaranteed in accordance with the provisions of the law. The consistent viewpoint of the Party and the State of Vietnam is to respect and guarantee the freedom of speech and freedom of the press of citizens. In every stage of the revolutionary cause, our Party has always paid attention to developing the press sector.

President Ho Chi Minh and our Party always promoted the role of the press, press freedom and implemented many solutions to ensure press freedom. Article 10 of our country's first Constitution (1946) clearly stated: "Vietnamese citizens have the right to: Freedom of speech; freedom of publication; freedom of organization and assembly; freedom of belief; freedom of residence, travel within the country and abroad". These basic rights are enshrined throughout the Constitutions of Vietnam.

Article 25 of the 2013 Constitution affirms: “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 regulated by law.” Article 4 of the 2016 Press Law clearly states: “The press in the Socialist Republic of Vietnam is an essential means of information for social life; is the mouthpiece of Party agencies, state agencies, socio- political organizations, socio-political-professional organizations, social organizations, socio-professional organizations; is a forum for the people”…

Practice has proven that the Vietnamese press is a revolutionary press, serving the cause of building and defending the Fatherland. The Vietnamese press has performed well its tasks and functions of propagating the Party's guidelines and policies, the State's policies and laws, widely informing the people about all aspects of social life; participating in social criticism, and being a bridge to effectively convey the people's thoughts, feelings, aspirations, and legitimate suggestions in all fields to the authorities.

In Vietnam, freedom of speech and freedom of the press are guaranteed by a very strict, clear and transparent legal system. Article 9 of the 2016 Press Law strictly prohibits “Obstruction of the printing, distribution, transmission and broadcasting of press products and information products of a legal press nature to the public”.

In particular, Chapter II of the 2016 Press Law focuses on: Citizens' freedom of the press; citizens' freedom of speech in the press; responsibilities of press agencies for citizens' freedom of the press and freedom of speech in the press; responsibilities of the state for citizens' freedom of the press and freedom of speech in the press...

In which, it is stipulated: The State creates favorable conditions for citizens to exercise their right to freedom of the press, freedom of speech in the press and for the press to properly promote its role... The press is not censored before printing, transmitting and broadcasting...

Press activities in Vietnam have developed strongly and comprehensively. By the end of 2022, the country had 127 press agencies; 670 magazine agencies (including 327 political and scientific theory magazines, 72 literature and art magazines); 72 radio and television stations; 6 key multimedia agencies... 77 domestic radio channels and 194 domestic television channels; 57 foreign channels providing pay television services.

The whole country has about 41,000 people working in the press field, of which 19,356 people are granted press cards... Information work in the press clearly demonstrates the leading, proactive, timely and effective role in propagating important issues and events of the country, contributing to creating social consensus.

The press has performed well its functions of information, propaganda, dissemination, contributing to the building and protection of the Party's guidelines and policies, and the State's laws. Through the press, it has contributed to political stability, socio-economic development, raising people's knowledge; expanding international relations; fighting against illegal acts and fighting to protect the Party's ideological foundation. Under the leadership of the Party, the Vietnamese revolutionary press has always accompanied the country and the people, is the core force, and plays a pioneering role on the ideological and cultural front.

The Vietnamese revolutionary press has constantly grown, making great contributions to the revolutionary cause of the Party and our people, contributing to building and defending the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.

HUU NGUYEN

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