The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) has for many years observed May 3 as World Press Freedom Day to promote press freedom and honour countries which facilitate press operations for the sake of their own countries.

The slanderous allegations by Reporters Without Borders against press freedom in Vietnam on World Press Freedom Day are clearly aimed at distorting the country’s achievements on human rights in general and press freedom in particular. It’s worth mentioning that this organisation has repeatedly made use of press forums, particularly online means of communications such as the Internet, to disseminate reactionary ideas, incite national resentment and cause instability in an attempt to sabotage the Socialist Republic of Vietnam – a sovereign country.

The fact is that a number of people living inside and outside the country, but lacking responsibility and goodwill towards Vietnam often post on the Internet inhumane and decadent cultural information, running counter to national customs and practices. According to information technology experts, up to three percent of the Websites around the world run such decadent contents. Therefore, there is no denying that a sovereign country like Vietnam takes certain measures to prevent such reactionary materials against national stability and unity. Prevention of such information also shows the Party and State’s responsibility for protecting traditional cultural values. 

Apparently, Reporters Without Borders’ move to include Vietnam on the list of countries without press freedom and regard the country as enemy of the Internet is a completely groundless fabrication. This proves that the author of the annual report lacks objective and clear views when coming up with comments on press freedom in Vietnam.

Despite its underdeveloped economy and technical infrastructure, Vietnam is one of the countries that have realised the importance and enormous advantages of the Internet to national development. It began to explore Internet applications in 1993 and decided to join the World Wide Web in 1997. Currently, Vietnam has 50 online newspapers and information service providers, alongside 1,500 other webpages of ministries, sectors and businesses.  

According to the International Telecommunication Union, the data transmission rate for the Internet services in Vietnam reaches 600bps/user, which is equivalent to Thailand’s figure and higher than the average level in Southeast Asia. This rate grows between 200-250 percent annually, ranking Vietnam second in the world.

The country also has more than 550 media agencies with more than 700 publications delivered throughout the country. National radio and television coverage reaches more than 90 percent of the country’s total area. These figures show that the Vietnamese press is an important force actively involved in national and social management.

A representative of the United Nations Development Programme in Vietnam said that Vietnam, with its increased role in the international community, has developed a modern press industry with professional and devoted journalists who make great contributions to the ongoing Doi Moi (Renewal) process in the country.

With the strong development of the press and high acclaims by the UNDP representative, Vietnamese journalists are entitled to be proud of their responsibilities towards national development.