VietNamNet Bridge - After being dismissed from the Chief Editor position, Mr. Nguyen Nhu Phong’s press card will be revoked and his online newspaper will be locked for three months, under a decision made by the Ministry of Information and Communications on Tuesday.

Mr. Nguyen Nhu Phong

The reason stated is that this online newspaper made "violations in journalism activities", which were not specified. The Ministry of Information and Communication will consider opening the online newspaper again after three months.

When the suspension ends, the ministry will consider the case and make a decision on whether or not the newspaper can continue running its online version, following Press Law regulations.

Under the decision, Phong’s press-card must be submitted to the Ministry before October 12th.

Phong, 61, told a local newspaper that he received the dismissal decision from officials of the Vietnam Oil and Gas Association at 4pm on October 3 and he would strictly abide by the formal decisions of the Ministry of Information and Communications.

Petrotimes electronic newspaper of the Vietnam Oil and Gas Association was licensed in September 2011. Phong was editor-in-chief of the website since the launch.

Phong was earlier deputy editor-in-chief of the An Ninh The Gioi (World Security) newspaper and editor-in-chief of the Cong An Nhan Dan (People’s Public Security) newspaper before he became editor-in-chief of the Nang Luong Moi (New Energy) newspaper, mouthpiece of the Vietnam Oil and Gas Association.

Phong was best known as the screenwriter of many TV series on crime such as Criminal Police, White Collar ...

In a related instruction, the Ministry of Information and Communications yesterday asked press agencies to review the issuance of documents and cards that could easily be confused with journalist’s cards.

A representative of the ministry said many reporters and newspaper collaborators presented documents and cards which were thought to be press cards while working with companies and organisations.

Some reportedly used these documents and cards for illegal purposes, affecting the reputation of other journalists who displayed work ethics.

The ministry affirmed that the journalist’s card is the only card recognised in journalism activities.

Reporters who do not have press cards have to present authorised introduction documents to organisations or companies they work with. The ministry asked press agencies to present clear information in introduction documents, with the name of the organisation the reporter worked for, detailed content and time of the meeting. 

The ministry will work with local departments of information and communications to impose strict penalties on violators.

According to new Press Law which comes into effect next year, people with two years of experience working in a press agency will qualify to apply for press cards, instead of three years as stipulated by the current law revised in 1999. 

Linh Nhat