MDI is the pioneer in supporting improvements of legal framework for responsible journalism in Vietnam.
Although the Vietnamese media are subject to government control, they have become more powerful and influential in the last decades following the opening up of the economy and the liberalization of the society. Despite the fact that there is still no private press, the largest newspapers are financially independent. Newspapers and magazines become multi-million dollar business and commercially competitive. That allows dedicated journalists and editors to transform the Vietnamese press from a government’s, wooden-tongued mouthpiece into a powerful watchdog, with an increasingly active role in exposing official misconduct and as a vibrant driver of reform.
However, editorial judgment on media legal risks is piecemeal, relying much on the attributes of individual editors rather than reflecting a national recognized standard. Moreover, there is almost no awareness about the international approach to media law. This unclear legal framework has led to arbitrary and controversial decision-making by the media, the court and the authorities, leading to confusion and uncertainty for media reports in challenging issues. There is anecdotal evidence to suggest that a number of lawsuits brought against the press in recent years.
There is increasing needs for a more transparent and appropriate regulations to encourage, protect and develop responsible journalism in Vietnam. In this context, this project’s intervention aims to contribute to the development of mechanisms and legal framework that protect the responsible press and reflect the public’s concern to hold the press accountable.
MDI works to start a national dialogue on developing effective media legislation and a fundamental regulatory infrastructure that would give space for good journalism to flourish. The dialogue, with professional technical assistance from top global journalism experts, will create public and political support for reforming the media legal framework. It will create favourable conditions to shield responsible journalism, promote and advance the rule of law, which is essential for sustainable development of Vietnamese society.