On the morning of November 12, the National Assembly held a Q&A session covering issues related to Information and Communications.
Deputy Nguyen Duy Thanh (Ca Mau Province) highlighted how social media’s explosive growth in recent years has brought with it a surge in fake news and misinformation, creating serious negative effects on public opinion and intensifying competition with mainstream media for both information and revenue.
Deputy Nguyen Duy Thanh - Ca Mau delegation. Photo: National Assembly
"As the state’s regulatory authority, what solutions does the Ministry propose to manage social media?" asked Deputy Thanh.
In response, Minister of Information and Communications Nguyen Manh Hung noted that this issue is not unique to Vietnam but is a global concern. He outlined several new solutions in his reply.
The first involves regulatory reform. Minister Hung explained that previous regulations only addressed individuals using social media to spread fake news. However, the newly signed Decree 147/ND-CP/2024 now addresses measures for penalizing social media platforms themselves when they violate Vietnamese laws.
The second point is emphasizing social media platforms’ responsibilities. "These platforms have their own spaces and millions, sometimes even billions, of users. Therefore, they are responsible for scanning, detecting, and automatically removing harmful or false information," said Minister Hung.
Minister of Information and Communications Nguyen Manh Hung. Photo: National Assembly
The third point, according to Minister Hung, is public communication. "We’ve spent tens of thousands of years in the physical world, which still has its challenges. The digital world has only existed for about 20 years, and it’s new for all of us."
The Minister emphasized the importance of educating the public on digital skills, platform usage, and resilience in the digital space—not only for today’s users but also for future generations, such as students.
Additionally, the Ministry has established a National Anti-Fake News Center, where citizens can report issues and seek assistance.
Deputy Nguyen Thi Yen Nhi (Ben Tre delegation) observed that in the age of social media, where anyone can share information widely, “citizen journalism” has taken hold. Many people run their own channels, often featuring sensational, misleading, or outright false content, which has caused public concern.
Deputy Nguyen Thi Yen Nhi - Ben Tre delegation. Photo: National Assembly
“What measures will the Ministry take to address this issue? And how can we elevate the role of revolutionary, mainstream media to better guide and inform the public?” asked Deputy Nhi.
In response, Minister Hung acknowledged that social media has indeed encroached on the field of journalism. For centuries, the press focused on providing news, but social media can now deliver information faster with millions of informal reporters worldwide who require no wages and are everywhere.
“If journalism is to maintain its position, it must be distinct from social media by returning to its core values: accuracy, objectivity, accountability, ethical standards, and verification. Rather than simply reporting news, journalism should focus on analysis, assessment, and offering solutions while guiding society through storytelling,” the Minister said.
He emphasized that while traditional journalism was once the primary information source in the physical space, today’s digital landscape demands that journalistic content guide the flow of information and uphold quality standards. The Ministry of Information and Communications, the Central Propaganda Department, and the Vietnam Journalists Association have set this as the framework to reposition and reinforce the role of revolutionary journalism.
“We believe that the best way for journalism to compete with social media is by differentiating itself, focusing on its core values, using social media technology, and viewing social media as a platform to enhance its presence,” Minister Hung concluded./.
