Vietnam’s National Assembly has approved a new regulation, in effect from September 1, allowing authorities to fine journalists for recording court proceedings without receiving permission from the courts. The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) condemns actions that may undermine press freedom and urges the Vietnamese government to avoid infringing on the right of journalists to report on court cases.
Vietnamese courts have convicted two state media journalists for exposing corruption, sentencing Nguyen Hoai Nam to a long jail term and Phan Bui Bao Thy to a year of “reeducation.”
Phan Bui Bao Thy was sentenced on April 7 by the People’s Court of Quảng Trị to one year of mandatory ‘re-education’ classes for alleged defamation. The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) condemns the sentencing and calls on the Vietnamese authorities to withdraw all charges against Phan Bui Bao Thy.
Three more independent reporters arrested in Vietnam
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A sticker of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) 13th National Congress is seen on the back of a journalist’s computer monitor, Hanoi, Vietnam, 26 January 2021, MANAN VATSYAYANA/AFP via Getty Images Independent journalists Nguyen Thanh Nha, Doan Kien Giang, and Nguyen Phuoc Trung Bao were arrested after denouncing abuses by two recently promoted senior officials in Vietnam.
This statement was originally published on rsf.org on 22 April 2021.
Reporters Without Borders (RSF) calls for the immediate release of three Vietnamese journalists who were arrested this week after denouncing abuses by two senior officials, and urges the authorities to stop hounding journalists trying to provide their fellow-citizens with independent reporting.
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Delegates arrive to attend the closing ceremony of the Communist Party of Vietnam 13th National Congress, at the National Convention Centre, Hanoi, 1 February 2021, NHAC NGUYEN/AFP via Getty Images With the conclusion of the 13th Party Congress, watchdog groups foresee continued or worsened suppression of press freedom in Vietnam.
This statement was originally published on ipi.media on 26 March 2021.
The re-election of the leaders of Vietnam’s Communist Party during the party’s official congress last month heralds a continuation of oppressive policies toward press freedom, experts say.
The congress, which ended on February 1, saw the re-election of key party members, including party’s general secretary, Nguyen Phu Trong, who is also Vietnam’s president. Nguyen Phu Trong is known for his conservative ideology and suppressing dissent. Journalists and media freedom organizations fear that the government will increase its attacks on indepe