Information gap

On May 5, 2018, a clip appeared on social networks recording a man repeatedly throwing away many bottles of cow's milk at the Vinamilk Company's milk collection station. This clip received the attention of social network users, spreading at a dizzying speed.

Dairy farmers in Nghe An are performing the milking process. Photo: Viet Long

From here, two groups of opinions were formed on social networks, one side criticized Vinamilk, the other side defended Vinamilk. The critic group said that Vinamilk put profit above all else, so it was trying to exploit dairy farmers to buy at low prices.

Meanwhile, the other group believes that it is natural for Vinamilk to check the quality of cow's milk to set the purchase price. Because processed food products from milk must have guaranteed ingredients; because the interests of consumers must be put first.

Because of the "hotness" of the clip of a man pouring milk from a cow, and because Vinamilk is a big player in the dairy industry..., many press and media agencies sent reporters to hunt for news and publish the information.

Very quickly, on May 5, Nghe An Dairy Factory issued a press release. Here, Nghe An Dairy Factory informed about the purchase price of cow's milk from some countries with developed dairy farming industry in the world. Thereby, it was affirmed that the purchase price of cow's milk that Vinamilk Company is applying to farmers in Nghe An is extremely high, even they are enjoying subsidy policy from Vinamilk Company.

In addition, Nghe An Milk Factory also informed that after the incident, a representative of Vinamilk Company met, discussed, and explained to the man who poured milk about the reasons that affected the actual milk purchase price. And this man clearly understood the problem, imported the milk back and deleted the Clip.

This press release was published by many media. And up to now, the press release of Nghe An Milk Factory seems to be the end of a controversial incident.

However, many people are concerned and want to understand the reasons and causes that lead to the man spilling milk.

In fact, it is necessary to clarify this matter. Because following information on social networks and reporting without in-depth research is irresponsible to businesses, dairy farmers, and readers.

As for Vinamilk, this is one of the few Vietnamese enterprises that has been able to bring its brand and build trust in the international market. Therefore, it is the responsibility of the media agencies to consider and be cautious when writing about issues related to the Vinamilk brand.

A family's dairy farm in Tan Ky district. Photo: Nhat Lan.

For dairy farmers, it is necessary to understand that this is a profession that requires a large investment in terms of money, intelligence and effort. Therefore, once choosing to pursue this profession, no one will give up halfway unless there are insurmountable obstacles. Meanwhile, dairy farmers in Nghe An only have a relationship with Vinamilk Company to import the milk they produce.

If there is resistance, this business stops purchasing, the farmers will face having to quit their jobs. From that, it can be inferred that there must be an extreme pent-up frustration, for such an outbreak to occur. Without in-depth investigation and only with a press release, is it fair to the man who poured the milk in particular and the dairy farmers in Nghe An?

Besides, the milk market is diverse with domestic and imported milk producers. Therefore, it is necessary to raise the question of whether or not the man who poured the milk was taken advantage of or incited?

Obviously, there are many issues surrounding the story of the man pouring milk that need to be clarified. Only providing information about the clip and press release will create information gaps. This way of doing things is not advisable.

Nhat Lan