Will Decree 174 come into effect?

(Baonghean) - Starting from January 15, 2014, Decree 174/2013/ND-CP (Decree 174) on administrative sanctions in the fields of post, telecommunications, information technology and radio frequencies of the Government was issued and came into effect (referred to as Decree 174).

With 8 chapters and 104 articles, Decree 174 mainly deals with acts such as accessing or destroying the network system in any form; providing information via email when the email server is not located in Vietnam; spreading spam messages; setting up a general information website or illegal social network; online fraud on the internet; reporting false information; information contrary to Vietnamese customs and traditions, violating privacy... that are not yet subject to criminal prosecution will be fined depending on the corresponding act. Particularly, acts of propagandizing against the Vietnamese State and spreading reactionary ideology are subject to the heaviest fine of 70 to 100 million VND.

With the above regulations, immediately after its promulgation, Decree 174 was reacted and booed by many people from many groups with hostile ideology towards Vietnam and other bad elements, which is understandable. Leading the way are still those who call themselves "human rights activists" who loudly proclaim that, following Decree 72 (on management, provision and use of internet services), Decree 174 continues to tighten the "freedom of information" and "freedom of thought" of citizens. They intentionally forget that, in any state, the law also has regulations to protect the regime, protect the stability of the country, protect national moral values ​​as well as the legitimate rights of citizens. Even in the United States, the country they consider to have the most "human rights" and "freedom" in the world, the law also has similar regulations.

In our country in recent years, many bad elements have taken advantage of post and telecommunications, information technology and radio frequencies to carry out dark intentions, which are quite widespread, especially on the internet, causing harm to many organizations and individuals, creating public outrage. Therefore, the Government's issuance of Decree 174 is necessary and timely and is welcomed by public opinion. However, there is one thing that makes many people wonder: will Decree 174 come into effect and be seriously implemented by agencies? Because Decree 72 on management, provision and use of internet services and information on the network, although it has been in effect for more than 5 months, it seems that the authorities have not "handled" strongly with violations that are not difficult to see. And the owners of illegal electronic information sites, blogs, and Facebook still give themselves the right to slander and defame the regime, freely insult the privacy of individuals, and freely spread false information and are still at large.

With Decree 174, will the situation be brighter or will it continue to be forgotten and ineffective?

Viet Long