After 82 years, since the publication of the first revolutionary newspaper, The Youth by Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam now has 687 press agencies, more than 800 printed and on-line papers and magazines, and radio and TV stations. Over 14,000 journalists and thousands of engineers, technicians, artists, workers and other staff are working in the country’s mass media sector. Tens of thousands of others are working as stringers, promoters and distributors of the press. The development of on-line newspapers and the integration of different forms of papers have created a major capacity to transmit and receive information for the media agencies and journalists.

Most media agencies have followed our Party’s political orientation and realised their function as the official organ of the Party and the State, socio-political organisations and professional organisations and people’s forum. The press has positively disseminated Marxism-Leninism, Ho Chi Minh’s thought, Party’s viewpoint and guidelines and State laws and policies. Newspapers have reflected the people’s legitimate thinking and wishes, and encouraged good people and good deeds in the national renewal process. The press has actively participated in the struggle against corruption, red tape and waste of public property, opposition viewpoints of opportunist and hostile forces and made an important contribution to democratising social life, and consolidating the people’s trust in the renewal process. The press is the bridge linking Vietnam with the world people and helps the Vietnamese people broaden their view and accelerate their integration in the world community.

However, weaknesses have emerged in activities and management of the press recently, which need effective measures to overcome. A number of journalists and press managers have failed to fully grasp the Party and State’s viewpoint, policies and laws and fully realise their citizen’s responsibilities and obligations. They do not closely follow political tasks of the country, sector, locality and organisation and fail to set good examples and encourage good people and good deeds and build the people’s confidence in realising Party and State’s major policies.

For strong development of the Vietnamese press in the coming years, the mass media agencies and journalists will follow the principle that the press is under the Party’s direct and overall leadership. The press is the voice of the Party, the State, socio-political and professional organisations and the people’s forum. The press will continue to disseminate Marxism-Leninism and Ho Chi Minh’s thought and encourage the entire Party and people to successfully realise the renewal process. Vietnam’s press will maintain their revolutionary nature while striving to keep up with the technological development level of the region and the world.

The campaign “To study and follow Ho Chi Minh’s moral example” is underway in Vietnam. Uncle Ho’s teachings, particularly his thoughts, morality and journalistic professional ethics are an invaluable heritage for current journalists. This can be considered the first and very important solution to help journalists improve their professional and revolutionary ethics. The Party and State will further develop and amend legal documents to improve press management. Sanctions will be strengthened to help the press further develop and give due and timely penalties to law breakers. The role and position of the Party organisation in press agencies will be consolidated. The teaching quality of press schools will be improved with due attention paid to the political view and professional capacity of teachers and lifestyle of students. Priority in staff and technological infrastructure will be given to State-owned mass media agencies to help them improve their work and take command of the communication field. Proper investment will be given to the overseas service to reach overseas Vietnamese and foreigners. Efforts will be made to strengthen cooperation with regional and world press organisations.