Rules for using social networks for Vietnamese journalists take effect from January 1, 2019

The Code of Conduct consists of 3 chapters and 7 articles, effective from January 1, 2019, specifically stipulating 4 things/things that Vietnamese journalists must do when participating in social networks and 8 things/things that Vietnamese journalists must not do when participating in social networks.

Four things Vietnamese journalists need to do when participating in social networks are: Use/use their personal social network accounts to interact, share, post, provide, and orient information that is useful for society and the country; post comments and opinions that are appropriate, cultured, and responsible on issues that the public is interested in; notify competent authorities of false information spread on social networks that has a negative impact, causing harm to the interests of the community, the country, and the reputation of organizations and individuals; detect, exploit, verify, and selectively inform about new social issues to serve journalistic work.

Eight things that Vietnamese journalists are not allowed to do when participating in social networks are: Violating regulations on management, provision and use of information on the network; regulations on data and document security; regulations on protecting the confidentiality of private information and personal information of citizens and other provisions of law;

Posting, removing articles, images, and sounds on social networks for the purpose of blackmail or other impure purposes;

Posting news, articles, images, and audio on social networks, making comments, sharing personal opinions, or reposting speeches and opinions that are contrary to the Party and State's guidelines, policies, and guidelines; contrary to the content and viewpoints of journalistic works that the journalist himself/herself has written and posted; contrary to the viewpoints of the press agency where he/she works;

Commenting, reviewing, and sharing information with the purpose of inciting or attracting negative reactions from others and political, economic, cultural, social, security, defense, foreign affairs, etc. issues with complex and sensitive elements that need to create consensus, a positive and constructive perspective and attitude from society.

Copying, sharing, distributing news, articles, works, sounds, and images that violate copyright.

Information about the incident has not been verified, causing confusion among the people, causing damage to socio-economic activities, making it difficult for state agencies or public servants to operate; causing physical harm, honor, and dignity of citizens; propagating and inciting violence, promoting decadent lifestyles, superstitions, negative behaviors, discrimination based on gender, region, ethnicity, and race;

Crudely and offensively depict obscene acts, crimes, information that is not in accordance with the nation's customs, cultural traditions and social ethics;

Using logos, images, data information of the Vietnam Journalists Association, using the name of the Vietnam Journalists Association when participating in forums and social networking sites without permission.

In addition to specifically regulating the things Vietnamese journalists must do when participating in social networks, and the things Vietnamese journalists must not do when participating in social networks, the Code also clearly and specifically regulates the responsibilities of organizations and individuals when implementing the Code, the responsibilities of the councils handling violations of professional ethics at all levels in considering rewards for cases of strict implementation of the contents of the Code, and disciplinary measures according to each level for journalists who violate the provisions of this Code.

Permanent Vice President of the Vietnam Journalists Association Ho Quang Loi emphasized: The promulgation of the Code of Conduct for Vietnamese journalists is an important basis for the councils handling violations of professional ethics at all levels to handle violations of ethics by journalists when participating in social networks, contributing significantly to the work of preserving and protecting professional ethics and the reputation of Vietnamese journalists.

To achieve this goal, the Party Committee and the Standing Committee of the Vietnam Journalists Association request that all levels of journalist associations and press agencies urgently organize the dissemination and implementation of the provisions of the Code to each journalist - member and journalist nationwide; at the same time, actively publish and broadcast the contents of the Code to the public and readers in a serious, complete and effective manner.