In its report, RSF alleged that the Vietnamese Government had launched so-called “crackdowns” on dissidents and their communications. It cited the arrests and trials of Nguyen Van Dai, Le Thi Cong Nhan, Nguyen Van Ly and several members of the outlawed Viet Tan Party as proof of their allegations.

In fact, these elements had gone to great lengths to undermine Vietnam’s national security, social stability and national interest. They must be duly punished according to the Vietnamese law in order to maintain socio-political stability and create favourable conditions for economic development in the country.

By making such false allegations, this organisation showed its incorrect views on Vietnam. In addition, it tried to deny positive changes in the country, which have been recognised by the international community. If Vietnam is such an authoritarian nation – as RSF claimed- why did it achieve a three-year record high growth rate of 8.5 percent in 2007? and why was it placed 35^th among the 121 countries and territories in terms of equality and peace by the UK’s Economist Intelligence Unit?

Vietnam today is not the country which has enforced harsh laws to bring the press under its control as described in the RSF report. Nearly 600 media agencies with more than 700 publications, more than 200 online newspapers and other online media have created forums for the residents to express their opinions and make recommendations on all aspects of life to the Party, State and Government. The press has recently made effective contributions to combating corruption and other negative aspects of society.

RSF’s incorrect report on Vietnam has aroused public suspicion against the independent and objective lines of this organisation.

Besides Vietnam, this organisation also gave similar comments on the situations in other countries. According to the western media, RSF received financial assistance from many individuals and organisations under contracts to launch propaganda campaigns against many countries.

French newspapers recently revealed that RSF President Robert Menard had reached a secret deal with the Centre for a Free Cuba – a reactionary organisation established by Cubans in exile and sponsored by the US Agency for International Development – to carry out propaganda campaigns against Cuba. Under a contract worth tens of thousands of US dollars, between 2002-03 RSF alleged that Cuba had repressed the press, and demanded that the country be listed among countries with little freedom of the press.

The media in Europe, including in Germany, remarked that as RSF is closely associated with the US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), its views are similar to the US’s external policy.

Take Vietnam as a case in point: RSF’s incorrect assessments of the press and human rights situation in the country are similar to slanderous allegations made by Vietnamese reactionary organisations on the Internet in recent times. People have wondered whether RSF also made contracts with these organisations to launch campaigns against Vietnam as it did against Cuba.

Acting against decent press criteria, RSF is nothing but an instrument for reactionary forces and only tarnishes its reputation. To be sure, RSF will end up in disgrace.