Promoting the role of propaganda work in preventing and combating corruption and negativity contributes to building a clean and strong Party and government.

CORRECT IDENTIFICATION OF CORRUPTION AND NEGATIVITY

During the process of leading the Vietnamese revolution, our Party has soon realized and increasingly identified more clearly the dangers and harmful effects of corruption and negativity on the Party, the regime and the cause of national construction. Right from the first days of gaining power, President Ho Chi Minh pointed out: Corruption, waste and bureaucracy are enemies of the people and the Government; they are "enemies within", "internal invaders".

We all know that corruption is a negative and evil social phenomenon that exists in every era, every regime, and every country; it is a “congenital defect” of power. Countries that exist and develop strongly are concerned with and effectively fight against corruption.

According to the 2003 United Nations Convention against Corruption: “Corruption is the abuse of state power for private gain”. Vietnam’s 2018 Anti-Corruption Law defines “Corruption is the act of a person holding a position or power who abuses that position or power for personal gain”. Thus, in essence, to put it simply and easily as President Ho Chi Minh taught, corruption is the act of “stealing public property to make it private”.

Compared to “corruption”, “negativity” has a broader meaning. Therefore, we must define the scope of negativity and we need to focus on preventing and combating acts related to corruption; that is, the degradation of political ideology, morality, and lifestyle. Corruption and negativity, especially degradation of political ideology, morality, and lifestyle, are closely related to each other. The fundamental, direct cause of corruption is the degradation of political ideology, morality, and lifestyle; negativity is the environment that gives rise to corruption; corruption in turn exacerbates the negative situation.

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The 13th National Party Congress determined: "The work of preventing and combating corruption and waste is a particularly important task in the work of Party building and rectification, building and consolidating a clean and strong political system, and consolidating the great national unity bloc."

ROLE AND TASKS OF PROPAGANDA WORK IN PREVENTING AND FIGHTING CORRUPTION AND NEGATIVITY

In his concluding speech at the National Conference on Anti-Corruption (May 5, 2014), the late General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong proposed five directions and tasks for the coming time; in which, he emphasized the task of propaganda on anti-corruption as follows:

Continue to promote propaganda and education work to raise awareness, consciousness and responsibility of all levels, sectors, cadres, party members and people on corruption prevention and control, creating unity, self-awareness and high determination in action.

This is not a new task but a very important one. Because propaganda and education are fundamental measures to raise awareness, morality, build integrity; fight against corruption and degeneration. The Central Propaganda and Mass Mobilization Commission shall preside over and coordinate with relevant agencies to research and advise the Party, State and Fatherland Front on a plan to widely propagate throughout the Party, the entire army and the entire people on participating in detecting and denouncing negative corruption, associated with praising, honoring and promptly and appropriately rewarding those who denounce and discover; praising good experiences and good examples, at the same time, strongly condemning negative and corrupt behaviors.

Officials and party members, especially those holding leading positions in agencies, organizations and units, must take the lead in the fight against corruption. Persistently cultivate the integrity of officials and civil servants, develop and strictly comply with the code of conduct and standards of public service ethics. It is necessary to raise public opinion to severely criticize corrupt behavior, educate the spirit of respecting integrity and honor; to know shame and suffering because of corruption and negativity.

Correct awareness of responsibility in detecting and handling corruption and negative cases must come from each Party Committee, each agency, organization, unit, each cadre and Party member.

Clearly perceive and deeply understand the purpose, meaning and content of the Party and State's regulations on the prevention and fight against corruption and negativity, in which prevention is the main focus. However, in the current situation, detecting and strictly handling corrupt and negative acts also has a positive effect in deterring and preventing corruption.

Media agencies need to publish news and articles that correctly orient public opinion to clearly see the positive results of the fight against corruption and negativity, as well as the limitations, weaknesses, difficulties and complexities; clearly affirming the determination of the Party, the State and the entire political system in preventing and repelling corruption and negativity.

Overcome the situation of one-sided information, inaccurate information, provocative information, causing confusion or pre-trial accusations and sentences. Protect, reward and encourage journalists who actively and bravely fight against corruption; strictly handle false information, slander, fabrication, causing bad consequences.

The Central Steering Committee on Anti-Corruption and relevant officials must proactively and promptly provide press agencies with information related to corruption and negativity in accordance with the law.

CURRENT STATUS OF PROPAGANDA WORK ON CORRUPTION PREVENTION AND ANTI-CORRUPTION IN NGHE AN

Recognizing the importance of the fight against corruption and negativity, on June 30, 2022, the Standing Committee of Nghe An Provincial Party Committee issued Decision No. 1150-QD/TU on the establishment of the Provincial Steering Committee on corruption and negativity prevention and control, consisting of 15 comrades, with the member of the Party Central Committee - Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee as Head of the Committee, 5 Deputy Heads of the Committee and 9 members.

Since its establishment until June 2023, the Provincial Steering Committee for Anti-Corruption and Negativity has put 15 complicated corruption and negativity cases and incidents that have attracted public attention in the area under monitoring and direction.

Typical examples include: The case related to the project to build a complex of hotels, supermarkets trading in pharmaceuticals, medical equipment and housing in Nghi Phu commune, Vinh city (old) invested by Minh Khang Trading Company Limited; The case of "Giving, brokering, receiving bribes" occurred at the Nghe An Province Motor Vehicle Inspection Center; The case of "Giving, receiving bribes" occurred at the Nghia Dan District Investment and Construction Project Management Board; The case of "Giving, receiving bribes" occurred at the Nam Can International Border Gate Customs Branch; The case of "Abusing position and power to appropriate property" occurred at the Tuong Duong District Investment and Construction Project Management Board;...

According to statistics of the People's Committee of Nghe An province, during the period (from December 15, 2022 to May 31, 2023), the investigation agencies actively verified and prosecuted many corruption cases. The number of corruption cases and defendants discovered during the period was 20 cases/91 defendants, an increase of 10 cases, 70 defendants; an increase of 100% in the number of cases, an increase of 333% in the number of defendants compared to the same period in 2022.

In the first 6 months of 2025, the People's Committee of Nghe An province has led, directed, seriously disseminated and effectively implemented documents of the Party, the State and the Provincial Party Committee on the work of preventing and combating corruption, waste and negativity. The work of preventing and combating corruption, waste and negativity has been seriously implemented and achieved encouraging results.

Accordingly, the People's Committee of Nghe An province continues to direct departments, branches, sectors, and People's Committees at all levels to thoroughly grasp and effectively implement the Law on Anti-Corruption 2018; decrees, detailed regulations, implementation instructions, and directive documents of the Central Government and the province on anti-corruption, waste, and negativity. The People's Committee and the Provincial Inspectorate issued 13 documents to direct agencies and units to carry out anti-corruption, waste, and negativity work. The affiliated agencies and units issued 106 documents.

The activities of inspecting and reviewing legal documents were directed to be implemented promptly and synchronously. The People's Committee of Nghe An province directed the review of 308 legal documents at the provincial and district levels affected by the reorganization of the apparatus; reviewed 850 legal documents at all levels and proposed amendments and supplements to legal documents in line with the direction of amending and supplementing the 2013 Constitution; conducted 35 public service inspections, inspections of the responsibilities of heads at all levels and sectors in implementing legal provisions on preventing and combating corruption, waste and negativity; to date, 29 conclusions have been issued. Through the inspection, recommendations have been made to review and draw lessons from 36 organizations and 232 individuals with violations.

In addition, the People's Committee of Nghe An province has publicly announced the decision to assign the 2025 State budget revenue and expenditure estimates of all administrative agencies and public service units at the provincial level. Agencies and units in the province continue to strictly implement regulations on publicity and transparency in the activities of agencies and organizations; organize publicity and transparency in areas such as: Construction investment management, public procurement and capital construction; finance, State budget; organization of cadres; mobilization and use of assets contributed by the people; land use management; housing management and use...

The main forms of publicity are through annual conferences of cadres, civil servants and public employees, for administrative and public service agencies; written notices, postings at headquarters, reports at People's Council meetings at all levels... The public posting of administrative procedures, contents, addresses for receiving feedback and recommendations of the Provincial Public Administration Service Center and agencies, units and localities is carried out seriously and promptly; fully updating information on the province's social policies and guidelines on the electronic information portal of Nghe An province and of agencies and units.

The whole province has conducted 35 inspections on the implementation of regulations on publicity and transparency in organization and operation for 35 agencies, organizations and units; through inspections, no violations were detected. The whole province has cut 301.43 billion VND through savings in the investment sector; cut 771.33 billion VND through savings in the preparation, appraisal, approval of estimates, settlement, management and use of state budget funds. The procurement and management of assets have been strictly implemented, ensuring the correct norms and standards according to the provisions of law.

The People's Committee of Nghe An province has issued a document directing and rectifying the observance of discipline and administrative discipline; established an interdisciplinary inspection team to inspect the observance of discipline and administrative discipline at 23 agencies, units and localities to rectify and improve working style, enhance sense of responsibility and work efficiency of cadres, civil servants and public employees.

Through inspection, violations were discovered with a total amount of 56,169 million VND and 9,583m² of land; of which, a decision was issued to recover 34,571 million VND; other handling recommendations were made for 21,598 million VND and 9,583m² of land, 27,621 million VND was recovered..Inspectors of departments and branches in the province have conducted 46 specialized inspections, including 20 planned inspections and 26 surprise inspections, focusing mainly on the fields of construction, health, agriculture and environment. Through specialized inspections, 15 organizations and 33 individuals were found to have violated the law; 48 decisions on administrative sanctions were issued with a total fine of 584 million VND, and 386 million VND was collected.

Investigation agencies at all levels under Nghe An Provincial Police have handled and investigated 18 corruption cases/104 defendants, have handled 9 cases/76 defendants, 9 cases/28 defendants are under investigation. The total number of cases handled by the People's Procuracy at 2 levels is 7 corruption cases/21 defendants (2 old cases/7 defendants; 5 new cases/14 defendants). 7 cases/21 defendants have been prosecuted and transferred to court. The total number of corruption cases handled by the People's Courts at all levels is 6 cases/17 defendants, 5 cases/16 defendants have been tried; 1 case/1 defendant is under trial. According to the report of the Provincial Police, the damage caused by corruption crimes is more than 206 billion VND; currently, assets have recovered more than 87.1 billion VND. In the first 6 months of 2025, no head or deputy head was held responsible for corruption.

The dissemination, popularization and education of laws on preventing and combating corruption and negativity are carried out in many forms: Integrated with briefing conferences; through the mass media system; documents issued by competent agencies and units reporting on the results of anti-corruption and negativity work on internal newsletters; organizing training courses, posting on electronic information portals of agencies and units...

In the first 6 months of 2025 alone, all levels and sectors in the province organized 31 training courses and propaganda conferences, integrating the work of preventing and combating corruption, waste and negativity with a total of 2,486 participants.

Press agencies in the province have many articles popularizing and educating the law, including timely updating information on the results of the province's anti-corruption and anti-negativity work, publishing information provided by the people on phenomena and events showing signs of corruption and negativity...

In addition, local people have proactively provided a lot of information, denounced violations in State management activities of officials and civil servants; denounced economic violations, corruption, and negativity; directly supervised the construction of public works in their localities... contributing to the fight against corruption and negativity.

In addition to the achieved results, the information and propaganda work on preventing and combating corruption and negativity still has limitations and shortcomings, such as: The content of information and propaganda on preventing and combating corruption and negativity in personnel work; on the fight against ideological, political, moral and lifestyle degradation is sometimes slow, not timely, and is mainly reflective, with little orientation and guidance. The team of journalists and reporters directly participating in this important topic is not large, the propaganda method is often too formal, not really going into depth; the propaganda content is still scattered; the effectiveness of propaganda sometimes does not catch up with practical requirements.

There is still a situation where some press and media agencies lack political sensitivity and information lacks objectivity; a small number of reporters and journalists still take advantage of their profession, take advantage of monitoring, criticizing, and reporting corruption to harass, be negative, cause outrage in society, and affect the reputation and role of revolutionary journalism....

SOLUTIONS IN PROPAGANDA TO PREVENT AND FIGHT CORRUPTION IN NGHE AN TODAY

The document of the 13th National Congress of the Party has determined: "...continue to promote and improve the effectiveness of propaganda and education work, create self-awareness, high unity of will and action among cadres, party members and people in preventing and combating corruption and waste". To effectively implement the above tasks, Party committees, party organizations and propaganda systems at all levels need to focus on implementing well the following tasks and breakthrough solutions:

One is, strongly innovate the content and form of propaganda in a modern, attractive and close-to-the-people direction such as: Diversifying propaganda content by combining legal propaganda, reflecting advanced models, setting examples of good people who dare to fight against negativity, with analyzing "hot spots" in State management with the risk of corruption (land, public investment, recruitment, bidding, etc.); using digital technology, social networks and multimedia to convey information: producing short videos, animations illustrating typical corruption situations; infographics on the complaint handling process; podcasts on handled cases. Bringing this content to platforms such as Facebook, YouTube, TikTok, Zalo, etc.; organizing a series of videos "Preventing and fighting corruption in an easy-to-understand way" presented by young officials and influential people in the province to reach young people; Applying AI technology and Chatbot to support people in looking up information about the right to denounce, how to report corrupt behavior, and legal regulations related to corruption prevention and control.

Two is, linking propaganda work with emulation movements, Party and government building activities, focusing on the following activities: Organizing writing contests, composing video clips, short plays, and propaganda skits on corruption prevention and control among cadres, union members, students. Including anti-corruption propaganda content in the emulation assessment criteria of agencies and units, especially departments and branches directly related to administrative procedures, finance, and land; each agency, organization, and unit in the province needs to buildíEstablish at least one model of anti-corruption propaganda linked to practical activities, such as "Friday without envelopes", "Party cell 3 no" (no corruption, no cover-up, no silence), "One-stop shop for integrity"...

Three is, promote the role of the press, media and grassroots collaborators in propaganda work. Increase investment in anti-corruption special pages and columns on local newspapers and radio stations with easy-to-understand, attractive and highly social critical expressions. Establish a network of social public opinion collaborators on anti-corruption at communes, wards and towns to detect information from the grassroots. Periodically organize the Forum "Citizens' Voice on Anti-Corruption" on provincial newspapers and radio and television or online platforms for people to send questions, feedback and suggestions to the government.

Four is, establish channels for receiving information, reporting and denunciations that are friendly, easy to use and protected such as: Building a specialized electronic information portal or integrating the "Anti-corruption" section on the Provincial Electronic Information Portal, with the function of receiving feedback, denunciations, complaints, providing legal information and responding online; developing the "Nghe An Integrity" phone application that allows people to send anonymous feedback and denunciations, view legal instructions, update the progress of handling feedback, receive warning messages about common forms of corruption; commit to publicly disclosing the results of handling feedback information (except for confidential information or protecting whistleblowers), thereby creating trust for the people.

Five is, strengthen the role of setting examples and promoting advanced models in preventing and fighting corruption through many activities such as: Compiling typical examples of cadres, party members, and citizens who actively detect and denounce corrupt acts, spread through books, videos, and seminars; each Party Committee and grassroots government needs to select at least 1-2 typical individuals and groups in the year to promote and promote examples (through newspapers, social networks, conferences, etc.); leaders at all levels need to publicly declare their annual assets, participate in dialogues with people on anti-corruption work to strengthen the image of "cadres who dare to do and dare to take responsibility".

Six is, bring anti-corruption propaganda work into depth and closely link it with public ethics education. Compile a set of anti-corruption propaganda documents that are concise, intuitive, and suitable for each target group (civil servants, union members, youth, students, etc.). Include anti-corruption propaganda content in the quarterly Party cell meeting program, including analysis of real-life situations in the locality. Foster the skill of "refusing corruption" for public reception officers and one-stop shops through specialized training courses...

Propaganda work on corruption prevention and control should be seen as a "spearhead" in the comprehensive strategy of building a rule-of-law state and a clean and strong Party.

As a province with a revolutionary tradition, culture and high level of education, Nghe An has all the conditions to implement breakthrough and creative solutions to strongly spread the spirit of "no forbidden zones, no exceptions" in the fight against corruption.

Innovation in propaganda work not only contributes to raising awareness, but also inspires and arouses the courage, consciousness and responsibility of each cadre, party member and people so that Nghe An continues to be a bright spot in the fight against corruption and negativity.