Freedom of speech is linked to the duties of each person.

Do not confuse, equivocate or cheat.

People who have the above behaviors are partly due to their incomplete awareness of freedom in general and freedom of speech in particular (!?). Some people consider freedom of speech as an absolute right without limits, so they confuse rights with obligations and responsibilities of citizens. In particular, there are cases where people have taken advantage of freedom of speech to commit serious violations and must be held responsible before the law. A typical example that must be mentioned recently is the case of Pham Thi Doan Trang. Taking advantage of social networks and some forums with ill will towards Vietnam overseas, this subject has had words and actionsgo against the viewpoints and policiesof the Party, policies and laws of the State... Taking advantage of the fact that our State's functional agencies apply measures to handle a number of subjects who take advantage of freedom of speech to violate the law, hostile and reactionary forces, through a number of forums such as BBC, VOA, RFA..., loudly proclaim: "Vietnam violates freedom of speech", "suppressing dissidents"...

Some people take advantage of freedom of speech through BBC, VOA, RFA... to accuse Vietnam of violating freedom of speech. Screenshot

We are no stranger to the tricks of hostile and reactionary forces to collude with opportunistic and politically dissatisfied elements to sabotage Vietnam. Elements within the country take advantage of freedom of speech and freedom of the press topropagandaIn opposing the Party and the State, they have essentially become puppets, tools operating under the auspices and manipulation of hostile and reactionary forces. And when those puppets and octopus tentacles are cut off and dealt with by our State's law enforcement agencies, it is understandable that reactionary and reactionary forces loudly defend and cover up. To protect those puppets and octopus tentacles, hostile forces have been equivocating between exercising the right to genuine freedom of speech and taking advantage of freedom of speech to violate the law and oppose the Party and the State of Vietnam. No matter what tricks they use, no matter how sophisticated or flexible, hostile and reactionary forces cannot cover up or conceal their evil intentions and dark plots.

Any freedom must be within the framework of the law.

Freedom of speech is one of the most basic human rights in every country and territory in the world, regardless of political regime. In reality, although freedoms, including freedom of speech, are recognized, no country considers it to be "absolute freedom". A reality that the authorities of every country recognize is that if freedoms, including freedom of speech, are absolute freedom, anarchic freedom, society will be in chaos and uncontrollable. Freedom in general, and freedom of speech in particular, in each country are limited within the legal framework of that country. For example, in the United States, Article 2385 Chapter 115 - the country's Penal Code strictly prohibits all acts of: "printing, publishing, editing, broadcasting, disseminating, trading, distributing or publicly displaying any written or printed material that advocates, incites or explains the responsibility, ambition necessity or correctness of the act of overthrowing or destroying any level of government in the United States by force or violence"...

Journalists at work. Photo archive

The fact that countries limit freedoms, including freedom of speech, within the framework of the law is completely consistent with the content stated in the "Universal Declaration of Human Rights" of the United Nations. Article 29 of the Declaration clearly states: "Everyone has the duty to the community, in the exercise of his rights and freedoms, to be subject only to such limitations as are determined by law solely for the purpose of securing due recognition and respect for the rights and freedoms of others and of meeting the just requirements of morality, public order and the general welfare in a democratic society."

We need to clearly see the reality that, not only in Vietnam, but in every country in the world, although there are different approaches to freedoms, including freedom of speech, there is a basic principle that the implementation of freedoms, including freedom of speech, must be consistent with the situation, historical conditions, culture, intellectual level, political regime of each country and no one is allowed to take advantage of this basic right to infringe on national and ethnic interests, harm the honor and dignity of others, negatively affect community morality and social order. Every citizen, every member of societyexercise of freedoms, including the right to freedom of speech within the framework of the law and protected by the State. No one may abuse freedoms in general and freedom of speech in particular to infringe upon the interests of the State, the legitimate rights and interests of organizations and citizens.

Freedom of speech is inseparable from civic duties and responsibilities.

The viewpoint of the Party and State of Vietnam on the implementation of human rights and citizens' freedoms is very clear, transparent, scientific and humane. The State of Vietnam always pays attention to and takes care of the implementation of basic human rights and citizens' freedoms, including freedom of speech, but that must be accompanied by discipline, order and law. Create the best conditions for citizens to exercise their freedoms, including freedom of speech, but those who take advantage of freedom of speech to do illegal things, harm the honor and dignity of others; cause harm to the interests of the nation, people... must be severely punished according to the law.

Illustration photo.

Thus, it can be seen that the exercise of freedoms in general, and freedom of speech in particular, must always be closely linked to the obligations and responsibilities of citizens. As a human being, a citizen in society, to exercise our rights, first of all, each of us must fulfill our obligations and responsibilities to society. Each member of society who fulfills his or her obligations and responsibilities effectively contributes to making society increasingly progressive and developed, and all social activities comply with discipline and the law. On the contrary, a democratic, progressive, disciplined society is the foundation to ensure the freedom of each member.

To contribute to the fight against arbitrary, deviant, unconstructive statements that go against the Party's viewpoints and guidelines, and even "follow the crowd" and join in the "dramas" of hostile forces, each of us needs to be fully aware and clearly distinguish between rights, obligations, and responsibilities as citizens. Along with that, we need to be alert and vigilant in clearly identifying plots and tricks to take advantage of freedoms in general and freedom of speech in particular to sabotage Vietnam. Only correct identification can help us proactively fight, prevent, and defeat all tricks of taking advantage of freedoms in general and freedom of speech in particular to sabotage Vietnam by hostile, reactionary, and opportunistic political forces.