Vietnam Tightens Media Control Amid Controversy Over Historical Book

Vietnam's media landscape is facing increased scrutiny and control following a heated controversy surrounding the historical book 'Chuyện với Thanh' (Conversations with Thanh). On July 21, the Authority of Publication, Printing and Distribution, under the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, issued a directive calling on managing agencies to enhance their leadership, guidance, and oversight of affiliated press organizations. The directive points to recent instances where some media outlets have published or broadcast information that "violates legal provisions and Party regulations, including content related to historical topics, leaders, and other sensitive, complex issues," thereby negatively impacting the quality and credibility of journalistic activities. It specifically calls for a "profound learning experience from the incident where some newspapers praised a book containing historically inaccurate information." 'Chuyện với Thanh' is a book about President Ho Chi Minh, which authorities have assessed as containing inaccurate information about certain historical figures and events, as well as "inappropriate language when writing about President Ho Chi Minh and some Party leaders." Consequently, 23 media outlets and numerous staff and reporters were penalized for praising the book. Media organizations reportedly acknowledged their mistakes in vetting sources and implemented strict disciplinary actions. The directive emphasizes that editors-in-chief and heads of press agencies must bear direct responsibility for organizing and implementing content control processes, with decentralization of power linked to inspection, supervision, and accountability. This comes amid calls from some influential social media figures for Mr. Le Quoc Minh, Editor-in-Chief of Nhan Dan newspaper, to be held responsible for the paper's articles praising 'Chuyện với Thanh'. In Vietnam, all press agencies operate under the management of a governing body affiliated with the Party, government, or mass organizations, ensuring the Party's absolute leadership over journalistic activities. For instance, Nhan Dan newspaper is managed by the Central Committee of the Communist Party. Furthermore, the directive instructs managing agencies to direct their subordinate press organizations to build or refine "higher-level appraisal, editing, and approval processes for content related to President Ho Chi Minh, Party and State leaders, prominent pre-revolution leaders, historical events and figures with differing interpretations or assessments, and issues concerning politics, ideology, ethnicity, religion, national sovereignty, foreign affairs, defense, security, and complex, sensitive matters likely to have a significant impact on public opinion and the reputation of the Party, State, organizations, and individuals." This move signals a potential for even tighter media censorship in Vietnam, despite an already restricted environment. In Vietnam, the press is tasked with "defending the ideological foundation of the Party." The directive also calls for a review of information verification and fact-checking processes and for clearly defining the responsibilities of individuals involved in the publication chain. It stresses that "republishing information that has already been published by another press agency should not be considered an automatic basis for re-publication. Each press agency must bear independent responsibility for the content it publishes and broadcasts, except as stipulated by law regarding public statements and information provision to the press." Source: BBC Vietnamese