Internet-based propaganda work has not been given due attention.

Firmly protect the Party's ideological foundation

Speaking at the conference summarizing propaganda work on the afternoon of December 29, Politburo member and Head of the Central Propaganda Department Vo Van Thuong affirmed the achievements of the propaganda sector in 2018.

Specifically: The organization of studying and thoroughly grasping the resolutions of the Central Committee has many innovations, and the effectiveness has been improved; Continuing to innovate and improve the quality and effectiveness of political theory work, fighting against erroneous and hostile arguments, firmly protecting the Party's ideological foundation; Propaganda work has many innovations and is more synchronous, the proactiveness and timeliness in directing, orienting and providing information have been improved...

Head of Central Propaganda Department Vo Van Thuong

Referring to the tasks of 2019, the Head of the Central Propaganda Department said that the new situation and requirements of revolutionary tasks require propaganda work to continue to innovate, be creative, and improve quality and efficiency even more.

The Head of the Central Propaganda Department requested that the sector continue to improve the quality of advisory work to the Central Executive Committee, the Politburo, the Secretariat and Party committees at all levels on strategic issues in the field of propaganda.

Second is to deeply, comprehensively and synchronously innovate political theory work, and fight to firmly protect the Party's ideological foundation. Effectively fight and refute false, distorted and hostile arguments.

“We must seriously grasp, keep in mind and creatively implement this issue. The entire industry must consider this a central and continuous task of the national propaganda system,” said Mr. Vo Van Thuong, suggesting that we must effectively, resolutely and strongly combat the ideological and political degradation of party members and officials.

The next content that Mr. Vo Van Thuong noted is to innovate the content and methods of propaganda, promptly orient political ideology and public opinion. This is an important condition to orient ideology and public opinion, proactively prevent and fight against wrong information and viewpoints, distorted and reactionary arguments.

Information is fast but must be accurate

The Head of the Central Propaganda Department emphasized that we must agree on the importance of the current struggle in cyberspace. From there, we must build and strongly develop the fighting force on this front, promptly prevent and destroy all plots of hostile forces; proactively and promptly orient information, bring official information to the people, contributing to maintaining political security.

According to Mr. Vo Van Thuong, the Internet is no longer just a technological concept or technological environment, but has become a "new battlefield", where the struggle in the fields of politics, ideology, and culture takes place strongly.

He reiterated the motto he spoke about more than a year ago about the method of propaganda work in the current social development situation.

“I once said that almost all party members and cadres use smartphones, and everyone goes on Facebook, but most of them only read bad news and rarely spread positive information. If everyone used smartphones, sent each other good news every day, shared some good ideas, and sent good messages about life, the Internet environment would certainly be much more positive and healthy.

I said that 2 years ago but now we have not really achieved the desired results," said Mr. Vo Van Thuong.

He commented that the work of propaganda and orientation on the Internet has not been given much attention. This requires the staff of the propaganda sector to actively innovate their thinking and approach to further promote propaganda, orientation and information direction; using the accuracy and sensitivity of information as a sharp weapon to master the ideological battlefield.

“Of course, information must be fast but accurate, concise, conveying high political messages, the way of expression and the method of communication must be suitable for current trends and ways of accessing information…”, the Head of the Central Propaganda Department emphasized.

He also informed that he is waiting for the Secretariat to approve a directive to strengthen positive information, fight against and handle negative information on the Internet and social networks and implement it in 2019.

“If we follow the situation, about 2 years before the 12th Congress, a series of danlambao, quanlambao, and thongtinquyenluc appeared… If we are not proactive now, we will be passive in dealing with situations like the 11th and 12th Congresses,” Mr. Vo Van Thuong noted.

The Head of the Central Propaganda Department also suggested that the sector should focus on the following contents: Deeply and more drastically innovating the work of political and ideological orientation in journalism, publishing, culture, arts, science and education; Focusing on building a team of propaganda cadres to meet the increasingly high requirements and tasks of the Vietnamese revolution in the new situation...