Deputy Minister of Information and Communications: Requesting Thai Nguyen authorities to protect journalists

Deputy Minister of Information and Communications Truong Minh Tuan officially spoke out about the assault on journalist Nguyen Ngoc Quang and his wife, working at Thai Nguyen Provincial Radio and Television Station.

Dear Deputy Minister, does the Ministry of Information and Communications have any information about the case of journalist Nguyen Ngoc Quang being assaulted by thugs?

I followed the news of the incident through the press. Initial information was that journalist Nguyen Ngoc Quang and his wife were blocked by two subjects and slashed with weapons many times, causing injuries. The incident was reported to the police by journalist Nguyen Ngoc Quang's family.

Deputy Minister of Information and Communications Truong Minh Tuan.

Dear Deputy Minister, what is the opinion of the State press management agency on this incident?

I find this to be a very serious incident. Thugs assaulting a journalist in broad daylight, in a crowded area, demonstrates the level of recklessness and disregard for the law by the criminals.

On the part of the State management agency, we have asked the Vietnam Journalists Association to speak out strongly, calling on public opinion to protect journalists and provide timely morale encouragement.

At the same time, we also request that the authorities of Thai Nguyen province quickly clarify the incident and take measures to protect journalist Nguyen Ngoc Quang and his family in accordance with the law.

Dear Deputy Minister, recently there have been many cases of journalists being assaulted while working, the severity of which varies, but this is an alarming situation. Could you please tell us how journalists are protected by the law while working?

Article 15 of the Press Law stipulates: “Journalists are protected by law in their professional activities. No one is allowed to threaten or intimidate the life, insult the honor and dignity of journalists, destroy or confiscate equipment or documents, or prevent journalists from carrying out their professional activities in accordance with the law.”

However, while working, we also advise journalists to operate in accordance with the law. In hot spots, when working, journalists must restrain their actions and words to avoid unfortunate incidents.

In particular, the case of journalist Nguyen Ngoc Quang being attacked and assaulted in a crowded place is a serious violation of the law. We would like to share our condolences with the family of journalist Nguyen Ngoc Quang and send a message to all journalists: Please be confident when performing your duties, the law protects you and we are always by your side!

Thank you, Deputy Minister!

According to Infonet