Speaking at the Ministry of Information and Communications’ (MoIC) annual conference last weekend, PM Nguyen Tan Dung stressed: “Vietnam must build powerful media groups.”

The PM argued that MoIC needs to closely work with the Central Propaganda and Education Committee to guide and manage the press.

Directing and managing the press and media doesn’t mean restriction, but assistance in the development of our revolutionary press in terms of content, form and skills,” the PM claimed.

He observed that the press has contributed greatly to unity and agreement in Vietnam to overcome difficulties and enhance development.

The press must inform people of the State’s policies accurately and in a timely manner to benefit the country, the PM emphasized.

 “The press should not report information that harms the country’s interests,” he asserted.

 “The truth is always the truth, but we must choose the suitable time to tell the truth to ensure the country’s interests,” he explained. “The over 17,000 journalists must be loyal soldiers serving the nation.”

MoIC Minister Le Doan Hop also noted the media’s great contributions to Vietnam’s development. He predicted that in 2010 MoIC would strengthen its management of the press and publications.

He mentioned the recent plan to build a social network for Vietnam, where readers can find everything they want to know about Vietnam, from culture to traditions to history. This is the second time Hop mentioned this plan.

Hop said that the Government would help with this database. MoIC has assigned the VTC Group to design the social network.

MoIC will also cooperate with the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development to build a TV channel on agriculture and farmers.

The Ministry is additionally promoting a project to establish an Information and Communication University , working with the Central Propaganda and Education Committee to open training courses for journalists.

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