Minister of Information and Communications: Petrotimes has systematic violations

The Minister of Information and Communications said that the disciplinary action against Petrotimes and the head of this newspaper was due to systematic violations.

At the Government press conference on the afternoon of October 4, the press asked whether the revocation of the press card of Mr. Nguyen Nhu Phong, former Editor-in-Chief of Petrotimes newspaper and the suspension of the newspaper for 3 months was due to republishing an article from a Vietnamese newspaper abroad interviewing Mr. Bui Thanh Hieu about Mr. Trinh Xuan Thanh.

Minister of Information and Communications Truong Minh Tuan affirmed that this is just one of many reasons.

Reposting the interview caused confusion

According to Minister Truong Minh Tuan, the first reason is that Mr. Bui Thanh Hieu is a subject who specializes in disturbing public order and security and has been punished by the government since 2009. He is now living abroad and has many activities of spreading false propaganda against the State and defaming many organizations and individuals.

Minister of Information and Communications said Petrotimes has been violating for many years.

"Republishing this person's interview in the Petroleum Association's newspaper not only goes against its principles and purposes, but also indirectly helps this person sabotage the state," the Minister of Information and Communications emphasized.

Furthermore, Trinh Xuan Thanh is currently a wanted suspect and the interview provided garbled or unfounded information, along with misleading statements that could easily lead to the inference that Trinh Xuan Thanh did not commit a crime.

“The republishing of the above article has unintentionally attracted readers to the website that posts the full text of this article and other articles. This has indirectly misled public opinion about the case, caused information disruption, public confusion, hindered the fight against corruption, and caused disadvantages for law enforcement agencies,” said Minister Truong Minh Tuan.

Committed a series of violations over many years

The Minister of Information and Communications stated that Petrotimes newspaper has deviated from its stated principles and goals for many years.

Specifically, the regulations in the operating license are to propagate in the fields of energy and oil and gas, reflecting the activities of the oil and gas industry in Vietnam and the world, and to propagate and mobilize people to save energy and protect the environment, but in reality, news articles in other fields overwhelm the news articles according to the principles.

"This newspaper has deviated from its purpose and published a lot of unverified or false information that has caused negative consequences in society. Many articles insult the honor and dignity of individuals and organizations," Minister Truong Minh Tuan stated.

He cited some typical examples such as the Nam Cam case, Petrotimes continuously republished articles that reopened the case, with sarcastic headlines; and an article with false information about congressman Dang Thanh Tam embezzling 600 billion, causing damage to businesses and banks.

Not to mention the series of articles praising Duong Tu Trong, Duong Chi Dung's younger brother in the Vinalines case; the series of articles secretly harvesting organs of death row inmates, taking information from unverified sources; the article calling for the resignation of the Minister of Health; the article "The Ghost Appears on the Stone Stele" with false information...

“These articles have been administratively punished and criticized, but Petrotimes continues to commit violations. As the leader, Mr. Nguyen Nhu Phong must take responsibility,” the Minister of Information and Communications emphasized.

Regarding the question of violations at Petrotimes that have been going on for a long time, why is there only a decision to punish now and why 3 months, Minister Truong Minh Tuan said that due to violations for many years, such systematic violations, on October 3, the Vietnam Petroleum Association, the newspaper's governing body, held a disciplinary council meeting, removed Mr. Nguyen Nhu Phong from his position as Editor-in-Chief and proposed to suspend publication to consolidate the apparatus.

“Not all violations result in card confiscation or suspension. According to regulations, only when a person is warned or reprimanded twice or more will his card be confiscated. That is the case with Mr. Nguyen Nhu Phong,” Mr. Tuan informed.

Regarding the reason for the 3-month suspension, Minister Truong Minh Tuan said that this period of time is enough for the newspaper to consolidate its organization and continue its operations.

"There are still many workers in the press agency. We cannot let one person's mistake affect the lives of others," said Mr. Tuan.

Regarding the question of mixed public opinions after the decision to punish Petrotimes and revoke Mr. Nguyen Nhu Phong's card, the Minister of Information and Communications said he was aware of it.

“Real journalists and the majority of people support this decision, and the reactions of some people on social networking sites are understandable,” Mr. Truong Minh Tuan shared.

He also added that there is currently some information saying that Vietnam is tightening the press, violating freedom of speech. However, he affirmed that Vietnam has its own laws to protect freedom of the press, not only freedom for journalists but also to protect freedom of speech in the press of all citizens.

“When journalists and press agencies abuse this right, use this right for other purposes, they violate the people’s rights. Therefore, handling Petrotimes will clean up the press, which is a step towards fairness in implementing citizens’ freedom of speech and freedom of the press,” the Minister stated.

He said that in the coming time, the Ministry of Information and Communications will continue to review the principles and purposes of press agencies and will strictly handle any violations according to regulations.

According to Vietnamnet.vn