Dealing tough with the press is 'necessary heartbreak'

At the National Press Conference held in Hanoi this afternoon (January 18), Head of the Central Propaganda Department Vo Van Thuong shared that harshly handling some press agencies and journalists who committed violations in 2016 is something no one wants, but is a "necessary heartache" to clean up press activities.

Fines for the press are not a regular occurrence.

According to the assessment of the Ministry of Information and Communications (MIC), in 2016, the press leadership and management agencies performed well in directing, orienting, and managing the State on the press; proactively developed projects and plans; coordinated with all levels, sectors, and localities in providing information to the press about major events and important issues of the country.

Head of the Central Propaganda Department Vo Van Thuong requested that the press must put the interests of the country and the people first, must protect justice, and fight against wrong views (photo courtesy of CTV)

Mr. Hoang Vinh Bao - Deputy Minister of Information and Communications said: "Basically, press agencies have seriously implemented the leadership, direction and information orientation of the Party and State, providing timely, honest and comprehensive information on political, economic and social life at home and abroad, and are truly trustworthy forums for the people."

In addition, many press agencies continue to promote dynamism and positivity in the fight to protect sovereignty, fight against "peaceful evolution", refute the wrong viewpoints and arguments of hostile forces, contributing to strengthening people's trust in the Party and State.

However, press agencies still have some shortcomings, including the situation of information not being in accordance with the principles, purposes, and serving the wrong target audience as stipulated in the license. The Inspectorate of the Ministry of Information and Communications has administratively sanctioned 32 press agencies with a total fine of more than 343 million VND. The Press Department has sanctioned 80 press agencies with a total fine of more than 1.7 billion VND.

The Ministry of Information and Communications had to issue a decision to temporarily suspend 4 cases of press agencies with violations, and revoke the operating license of 1 press agency at the request of the magazine's management agency. The Ministry of Information and Communications also revoked the press cards of 13 journalists due to violations and disciplinary action.

Regarding the handling of violations by press agencies in recent times, Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam said that it is a corrective and deterrent action, aimed at helping the country's press operate better and more effectively, and is not a regular task.

“Necessary heartbreak”

Speaking at the Conference, Head of the Central Propaganda Department Vo Van Thuong also assessed that the country's press had overcome difficulties and contributed to the country's overall achievements in the first year of implementing the Resolution of the 12th National Party Congress.

Regarding the harsh handling of some press agencies and journalists who violated the law in 2016, Mr. Vo Van Thuong said that it was something no one wanted, but it was a "necessary pain" to clean up current press activities.

“This year, we have painfully witnessed a number of journalists degenerating in morality, taking advantage of their status as journalists for personal gain, spreading false information that harms national interests and affects the reputation and honor of true journalists,” said Mr. Vo Van Thuong.

The Head of the Central Propaganda Department also said that the impact of businesses and interest groups on the press in recent times has been very large.

Mr. Vo Van Thuong assessed: “The deep impact of businesses and interest groups on the press is distorting revolutionary journalism. I think this is a challenge.”

The Head of the Central Propaganda Department requires revolutionary press to put the interests of the country and the people first, protect justice, fight against wrong views and maintain the character of revolutionary press.

“We say the fish sauce case is typical, but in fact it is a very small case of interest group infiltration into journalism. There are many more terrible cases but there is not enough evidence to handle them,” said Mr. Vo Van Thuong.

In the coming time, the Central Propaganda Department and relevant agencies will review and properly handle the activities of electronic newspapers, electronic newspaper supplements, the issue of selling channels, selling airwaves on radio and television, selling cufflinks with printed newspapers; and consider the influence of media and advertising companies on press activities.

“This is difficult and time-consuming, but it must be done. If we wait too long, it will be difficult to do and will affect the country’s journalism,” Mr. Vo Van Thuong affirmed.

According to Dan Viet