Journalism, a dangerous profession

For example, on the morning of May 29, while investigating the facts and verifying local people's complaints about the destruction of many forest areas in Pho Cuong commune, Duc Pho town (Quang Ngai), a reporter from Vietnam News Agency and some colleagues were blocked, dragged away and not allowed to move by a group of people from Deo Ca Group. The incident was only resolved when the reporters received support from the Chairman of Duc Pho town People's Committee.

Previously, on May 24, a similar incident occurred when journalist Nguyen Van Tuan, in charge of the representative office of Tien Phong newspaper in the Central Highlands region, went to report on the illegal trading of agricultural land in Ea Ktur commune (Cu Kuin district, Dak Lak province) and was threatened by a number of people who called him and his family.

In response to the above incident, on May 29, the Vietnam Journalists Association issued Official Dispatch No. 36/CV/HNBVN requesting the Provincial People's Committee and the Director of Dak Lak Provincial Police to urgently investigate and verify the incident, take measures to protect the life and health of journalist Nguyen Van Tuan; and at the same time, appropriately handle violators.

It is impossible to list all the cases of threats, obstructions, and intimidation of journalists while working that have occurred in recent times. The above situation shows that the obstruction and assault of journalists while working is still very complicated, especially when journalists conduct investigations and expose negative incidents. Those involved often disregard the provisions of the law, using all means to conceal and cover up the truth.

For journalists, facing difficulties, challenges, and even life-threatening dangers is inevitable. Engaging in reality, pursuing and exposing negative incidents to the public, many journalists are still not protected by law. It is common for journalists to be obstructed in their work, such as having their equipment confiscated or damaged, being harassed, being attacked and causing injuries, etc. Therefore, whether in peacetime or wartime, journalism is still ranked in the top 10 most dangerous professions.

To protect the right of journalists to work, and at the same time warn and deter those who obstruct or threaten journalists while working, a fairly complete system of sanctions has been established with many measures, including criminal, civil and administrative sanctions. Specifically, the Press Law stipulates that “no one is allowed to threaten or intimidate the life, insult the honor and dignity of journalists; destroy or confiscate equipment and documents, or obstruct journalists from performing their professional activities in accordance with the law”.

However, in reality, recent assaults and threats against journalists have tended to increase in both severity, frequency, and increasingly sophisticated forms, with many tricks to put pressure and “terrorize” journalists. Meanwhile, many assaults on journalists have not been thoroughly handled (usually only administratively handled), causing the “attacks” on journalists to not only not be prevented, but also become more and more brazen and reckless. Many journalists and their families have had to live and work in fear and anxiety due to threats and insults.

The question is, is it because of the indifference, the perfunctory intervention, and the lack of responsibility of the authorities and local governments where the negative incident occurred that the violators disregard public opinion and defy the law?

More than ever, regardless of the circumstances, journalists need a solid support to work with peace of mind. If assaults, pressure, even threats and slander against journalists are not stopped promptly and thoroughly, it will cause mental damage not only to the journalists themselves, but also to their families and loved ones.

It must be affirmed that the press is one of the leading forces in the fight against corruption and negativity, for a better life and peace in society. If there is no drastic solution to protect journalists while working, it will reduce the enthusiasm of the press team and press agencies in the fight against corruption and negativity.

Therefore, in addition to the active and responsible participation of authorities at all levels and functional agencies, each journalist must also be ready to defend themselves against risks that may occur when working, especially improving their skills in handling unexpected situations in "hot" and sensitive areas and incidents. With prominent incidents, journalists need to proactively plan their work, with close guidance from the governing agency. When detecting signs or risks of being threatened, it is necessary to notify local authorities and police agencies to take timely measures to handle and prevent them.

According to Tin Tuc Newspaper