Vietnam has approved major changes to its press law, bringing new rules that many fear will make it much harder for journalists to protect their sources. The updated press law expands the power of authorities, giving them wider rights to demand that reporters reveal who provided information for a story. This shift is seen as a serious step that could limit what journalists feel safe to publish.
Major Press Law Changes Raise Deep Concerns
Under the current rules, authorities can force a journalist to reveal a source only when they investigate a serious crime. But the new press law removes this limit and lets authorities demand source disclosure for any type of crime. As a result, people who want to share important information may stop doing so because they fear authorities will identify them.
The new press law also changes who can order these disclosures. Instead of limiting this power to judges, the law now allows the public security ministry and local police to demand that a journalist reveal a source. This gives many more officials the authority to interfere in journalism, which could put reporters under heavy pressure and increase legal risks.
Press freedom groups say these changes will make it extremely difficult for journalists in Vietnam to work safely. They warn that reporting on sensitive topics could become even more dangerous, and that the public may lose access to important information.
Press Law Reform Follows a Series of Tightening Restrictions
The approval of the new press law comes during a period of growing restrictions on media and communication in Vietnam. In recent months, authorities have taken several steps that limit access to information and increase control over independent reporting.
Authorities took away the passports of some foreign reporters, preventing them from traveling. They also banned a printed edition of a well-known international magazine for a time, and they temporarily suspended the messaging app Telegram across the country. These actions add to a long list of limitations that both local and international journalists face.
The state already controls all domestic media outlets. Reporters in Vietnam must work carefully to avoid punishment for stories that authorities may view as too critical. Foreign journalists face surveillance, strict trip approvals, and very limited access to official press events, making it hard for them to cover developments inside the country.
Rights groups say that around 28 journalists are currently in prison in Vietnam, many held in harsh conditions. These cases show the difficulties faced by reporters and highlight the risks involved when they try to publish stories that authorities may not approve of.
With the expanded press law, observers expect these challenges to grow even greater, as authorities may place increased pressure and legal threats on both reporters and sources.
State Secrets Law Expanded, Limiting Even More Information
Along with the changes to the press law, Vietnam has also updated its state secrets law, adding more categories of information that cannot be shared or reported. This revised law will take effect in March and marks yet another move toward tighter control over information.
New topics that will be treated as state secrets include:
- Overseas schedules and programmes of national leaders
- Information about state compensation cases
- Details about settlements of international investment disputes
These topics were not previously classified, meaning journalists could often refer to them while reporting. But once the new rules take effect, anyone who shares such information may face fines or prison terms. Vietnam already enforces strict punishments for leaking state secrets, and the expanded list creates more situations where authorities could accuse journalists of wrongdoing.
Press freedom advocates say the broadened state secrets law gives the authorities even more tools to restrict reporting. They warn that together with the updated press law, the new rules could make everyday reporting far more dangerous, especially when stories involve political, economic, or international matters.
These reforms mark one of the most significant expansions of information control in Vietnam in recent years. Observers expect the new rules to place more pressure on journalists, create greater uncertainty, and reduce their protection as they carry out their work.