Minister of Information and Communications Truong Minh Tuan discussed the decision to revoke the press card of Mr. Mai Phan Loi, which he signed yesterday afternoon.

immoral, immoral

Dear Minister, on what basis did the Ministry of Information and Communications quickly decide to revoke the press card of journalist Mai Phan Loi (Head of the Representative Office of Ho Chi Minh City Law Newspaper in Hanoi)?

Ho Chi Minh City Law Newspaper has issued a decision to temporarily suspend Mai Phan Loi from his position, along with a detailed report on his violations as a journalist and Party member. The legal basis for revoking his press card is clearly stated in the decision.

We had to consider this decision because it was the occasion of Vietnam Journalists' Day (June 21).

However, strictly handling violations is necessary. I think it will not hurt journalists but can be seen as a lesson in professional ethics.

Mai Phan Loi violated the law by posting information on social networks. Authorities have warned him many times but he still repeats the offense.

Minister of Information and Communications Truong Minh Tuan: Journalists participating in social networks are likely to have conflicts of interest if the press agency's internal regulations do not provide sufficient control.

The most recent incident that caused public outrage was Mai Phan Loi's investigation into the Su-30 and Casa 212 aircraft crashes at sea while on duty, which offended the families, relatives, comrades of martyrs, and the Vietnam People's Army.

In addition, Mai Phan Loi's behavior is professionally unethical and unacceptable in terms of human morality.

Individual violation but belongs to organization

The information that violates the Minister's statement was written by Mai Phan Loi on the Young Journalists Forum, so does it have anything to do with the qualifications of a journalist, Minister?

I have answered many times, Vietnam does not prohibit the use of social networks. But Vietnamese law stipulates that social networks must operate within the framework of the law.

For entities providing cross-border services, the authorities are currently researching to add to the law.

In the case of Mai Phan Loi, the subject of the violation is an individual but belongs to the organization Phap Luat TP HCM newspaper. This individual has been determined by the agency to have violated the Code of Conduct on ethics and other violations.

On the other hand, when journalists participate in social networks, conflicts of interest can easily arise if the press agency's internal regulations are not sufficiently controlled.

It is important to be mindful of your journalistic status when participating in social networks and providing information that goes beyond the scope of personal information of a journalistic nature.

In addition to violating professional ethics, this behavior may violate the law according to Decrees 72, 174, related circulars and Article 122 of the Penal Code.

On the occasion of June 21, through this unfortunate incident, could the Minister please say a few words to journalists?

Currently, social networks in Vietnam are developing strongly. I would like to remind press agencies in using fanpages, journalists using social networks need to provide useful information for the community, beneficial for the country, contributing to building a healthy and kind information society.

On the occasion of Vietnam Journalists' Day, I wish all press agencies to develop further, maintain their will and stance, and be worthy of the tradition of journalism.

I wish all journalists good health, continuous professional development, ethical training, and many contributions to family and society.

Thank you, Minister!

According to Vietnamnet