Vietnam Bans News Articles that Criticize China

By Pei Hu
Impunity Watch Reporter, Asia

HANOI, Vietnam – A Vietnamese newspaper was shut down for 3 months over controversial articles over a territorial dispute between Vietnam and China. State media, the Thanh Nien (Young People) reported that the Ministry of Information and Communication in Vietnam shutdown the biweekly Du Lich (Tourism) for “serious violations” of Vietnam’s press law.

During the Vietnamese New Year, Du Lich ran its Lunar New Year edition, which published a series of articles supporting anti-Chinese protesters, praising them for their “pure patriotism.”

Vietnam and China have fought wars over the disputed territory of the Spratly Islands in the three archipelagos in the South China Sea. The islands are largely uninhabited and the surrounding waters have rich natural resources such as oil, natural gases, and fishing. Taiwan, Philippines, Malaysia and Brunei have all claim sovereignty over the Spratlys.

China had announced to create a symbolic administrative region called Sansha to manage the disputed territory. In late 2007, thousands of university students held demonstrations in front of the Chinese diplomatic mission in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.

Authorities in Vietnam accused Du Lich of publishing false information that incites violence and hatred among nations. However, the report did not specify the information at issue.

Vietnam wants to maintain friendly relations with China even though the government opposes its policy. The Spratly Islands dispute invoked nationalism in Vietnam. Thousands of protestors took the streets to protest China’s policy. However, Vietnam’s communist government generally prohibits public protests of any kind.

Communist Vietnam maintains tight control over its local media. The shutdown of the newspaper took effect Tuesday and the ministry also ordered the newspaper to reshuffle its leadership. Vietnam authorities and the ministry were not available for comment on Thursday.

Nguyen Trung Dan told the BBC that the newspaper only reflected “the people’s wishes.” Dan said, “Being a Vietnamese, I did not think twice when I approved those articles. Isn’t it a good thing to encourage patriotism among the public?”

AP – Vietnam suspends newspaper over China reporting– 16 April 2009

BBC – Vietnam paper banned over China – 15 April 2009
Scotsman – Authorities shut down paper – 16 April 2009

Author: Impunity Watch Archive