"One tree cannot make a forest"

(Baonghean) - The 11th session of the 12th National Assembly has just voted to pass the Press Law (amended). According to the assessment of lawyers, managers and journalists, the new provisions in this law will create a solid legal basis for citizens' freedom of the press and freedom of speech in the press. At the same time, it will create peace of mind for journalists to work within the framework permitted by law.

Cartoon. Internet

And press activities will also be more favorable when, along with clearly defining the rights and obligations of journalists, this Press Law has specifically stipulated the responsibility of agencies, organizations, and responsible individuals to provide information to the press; information that agencies, organizations, and individuals with authority have the right to refuse to provide to the press. And especially, the protection of information sources and the right to work of journalists have also been clearly and specifically stipulated compared to the current Press Law.

This is clearly good news for writers in the so-called “fourth power” and for those who consider the press as a support in the fight to protect what is right and against what is wrong. At the same time, for those who are always wary and suspicious when dealing with the press and consider the press as a potential danger that can expose and destroy everything.

But, as someone just said, the longest road in our country is from words to actions. Laws are just regulations on paper, but to enter life, to make important contributions to the country's press and the development of the country, that is not enough. Because, in our country, compliance with the law is not really taken seriously.

For example, the regulations on journalistic ethics have been clearly stipulated in the current Press Law, but the number of journalists violating the law and professional ethics is still increasing. It is not without reason that in society there is a term called “vulture journalists” to refer to a number of writers who have degenerated from their profession and expose even small violations of agencies and businesses. Instead of writing articles and reporting to prevent and correct violations, they use those violations to threaten, blackmail or force victims to sign propaganda and advertising contracts at exorbitant prices. This person takes the money and then whispers to other colleagues in the style of “go there and earn a little to spend”.

The writer of this article once heard a hotel owner lament that because he had built a house with more floors than allowed, in just one month he had to eat 25 porcupines because he had to receive 25 journalists who came to investigate and learn about the illegal construction. And not only porcupines, after eating and drinking, he also had to be given an envelope to leave quietly. Otherwise, if he made a big fuss, the authorities would definitely suspend the construction of the project. Who knows that when the house was finished, the hotel owner would have to lose dozens more porcupines.

On the contrary, there are also many individuals, agencies and businesses that borrow the press to cover up the truth, escape punishment or destroy competitors. Of course, to do that, you have to spend a lot of money. Many journalists have a comfortable life thanks to the income from that "darkness". Then the attitude of pampering and pampering the press in the style of "avoiding the elephant, not losing face" also contributes to making writers and non-writers lack courage, delusional and reckless, causing bad reputation for the journalism profession.

Another factor that causes journalists, especially young people, to become corrupted and tarnishes the reputation of writers is the rush to become journalists regardless of whether they have the right training and ability. Partly because they are attracted by the external glamour of journalism and partly because there are too many newspapers and publications that resemble newspapers nowadays.

Many online newspapers and information sites are born and exist in a “living without nurturing” manner, meaning they only need legal status without any source of income to maintain their operations. Then they recruit people, do not pay salaries, and force those recruited to pay a sum back to the editorial office, similar to renting legal status. When you are hungry, you have to crawl on your knees. The team of people who often go around groping, investigating, digging in the style of “digging out the worms” and then threatening to make money mostly come from press agencies of that type.

Therefore, the Press Law alone, no matter how strict it is, can hardly clean up the country's press without the support of the whole society. Especially from the press management agencies and law enforcement agencies. Because once everyone finds ways to circumvent the law and is willing to violate the law for their own benefit, the effectiveness and efficiency of a law will not be high. "One tree cannot make a forest"

Buddha Mountain