Giving Death wings is…?

(Baonghean)One of the hottest topics in the media these past few days has been the story concerning journalistic ethics in a news report that once caused a strong public outcry. That report, titled "Who Gives Wings to Death?", even won an Encouragement Award at the National Television Festival and a B Prize at the Binh Dinh Province High-Quality Journalism Awards.

The report argues that the high number of traffic accidents and fatalities are caused by lax and negligent training and licensing of drivers, and lax management of vehicle operators. The specific examples are horrifying and shocking: one person with one arm amputated, another with both legs amputated, another blind in one eye and with one arm amputated… yet all of them drive vehicles, transporting goods and passengers at high speed every day as if it were perfectly normal! From these examples, the report points out possible answers to the question, "Who is giving wings to death?"

It can be said that, amidst the increasingly serious problem of traffic safety, the choice of topic, the way the issue is raised, and the evidence presented are very valuable and unique, accurately addressing the issue that the whole society is concerned about. Therefore, after being broadcast on Binh Dinh TV (January 29, 2013), the Central Television Station re-broadcast it (VTV1 morning news program, June 26, 2013), attracting special attention. Under pressure from public opinion, the relevant authorities quickly intervened, investigated, and took action.

At this point, one might conclude that the role of the journalist and the effectiveness of such a journalistic work in disseminating information have been affirmed. And in the journalistic career of a reporter, especially in today's times, to produce such a work is undoubtedly a great joy, as it contributes to making life potentially better and brighter, fulfilling the mission of "promoting beauty and eradicating ugliness."

However, things took a different turn when some of the individuals featured in the documentary "Who Gives Wings to Death?" revealed that they had been "trapped" by the reporter to stage the situation. The content about them in the documentary was fabricated and made up. On August 28th, reporter Nguyen Dung Chinh (Binh Dinh Radio and Television Station) confronted some colleagues. After evasively defending his methods, the author of the documentary revealed the truth: the story had been fabricated and manipulated.

Specifically, the reporter requested war invalids Dinh Duong Hai (both legs amputated, residing in Ghenh Rang, Quy Nhon City), Nguyen Van Nhung (one arm amputated, residing in Bong Son Town, Hoai Nhon District), and Dinh Van Tuan (one eye blind, one arm amputated, residing in Tran Quang Dieu Ward, Quy Nhon City) to perform actions and scenes of operating vehicles under the guidance and assistance of the reporter. In reality, they are currently unable to, and certainly not, to work as motorcycle drivers for a living. Even more significantly, since becoming disabled, they have not participated in any driver training programs and have not been issued driver's licenses.

However, through the "hands" of reporters from Binh Dinh Radio and Television Station, when broadcast, disabled and handicapped individuals suddenly became people who work as daily drivers. And the reporters used these images to make accusations, impose their views, and use them as evidence to judge, evaluate, and reflect on the reality of driver training and licensing, and the management of drivers participating in traffic. Disabled veteran Dinh Duong Hai affirmed: "Mr. Dung Chinh came to me twice through an introduction from a neighbor. Out of respect for my neighbor, I put my leg on the car so he could film me, but in reality, I've never actually driven a car myself, so how can he say that?" Mr. Nguyen Van Nhung said: "He (the journalist) asked me to sit and drive for a short distance so he could film me appealing for charitable donations to help disabled people overcome difficulties, and only then did I agree."

It is clear that highlighting pressing issues to prevent traffic safety violations and the resulting increase in traffic accidents is absolutely essential. Identifying the limitations, shortcomings, inadequacies, laxity, and negligence of driver training and licensing facilities and the management of vehicle operators is necessary, and reality shows that these limitations occur in many places and urgently need to be rectified.

However, the fact that reporters from Binh Dinh Radio and Television Station exposed the truth by fabricating stories and situations that were not true is unacceptable. Firstly, the reporters deceived war invalids, disabled people, and those with disabilities, having them appear in the television report entirely under their direction, arrangement, and staging, distorting the facts. Secondly, they deceived Binh Dinh Radio and Television Station and Vietnam Television Station to broadcast the aforementioned report – which is tantamount to deceiving the public by both Binh Dinh Radio and Television Station and Vietnam Television Station. Thirdly, they deceived the organizing committee and the judging panel of the Binh Dinh High-Quality Journalism Award and the National Television Festival when submitting these works…

The truth has been revealed, and its consequences are immeasurable. Journalist Nguyen Dung Chinh's actions have damaged the reputation and honor of journalists in Vietnam and across the country. It has eroded trust in the press, both among organizations and individuals. The extent to which the author of the aforementioned "drama" will be punished depends on the outcome and actions of the competent authorities. However, public opinion needs to condemn and eradicate such serious violations of professional ethics that damage the reputation of journalists.

One of the fundamental and important ethical qualities of a journalist is honesty. The vocation of a journalist is to protect and respect the truth. The Code of Professional Ethics for Vietnamese Journalists, issued by the Vietnam Journalists Association on August 13, 2005, clearly states in Article 3: "Practice the profession honestly, objectively, and respect the truth." Point 4, Article 10 – Things that are not allowed to be reported in the press – of the Press Law stipulates: "It is prohibited to publish false, distorted, or slanderous information aimed at insulting the honor of organizations or the honor and dignity of citizens."

However, sadly, for various reasons, many journalists have been and are still disregarding the most fundamental ethical principles of journalism... Journalists, like all other citizens, live, work, and operate in accordance with the constitution and laws, and are subject to equal forms of punishment and discipline before the law and public opinion. The investigative report "Who Gave Death Wings?" seeks to find the cause of danger and death, but the journalist himself orchestrates scenes that could push people into danger and death... Doesn't that mean the reporter is the one "giving Death wings"?

Ngo Kien