Media Suppression in Vietnam: Is Vietnam's UNHRC Seat a Positive Sign?
Vietnam has a troubled history with human rights. From imprisoning journalists and NGO activists who criticize the nation’s political direction to conducting mass purges of social media content, Vietnam’s one-party communist state has little tolerance for dissenting opinions. Vietnam’s recent appointment to the United Nations Human Rights Council for a 3-year term last October has been met with disappointment by several human rights organizations. Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, and the International Commission of Jurists have claimed Vietnam’s human rights track record is in dire need of improvement. It currently holds the title of having the fourth highest rate of imprisoned journalists of any nation globally, with this number growing along the VCP’s (Vietnamese Communist Party) introduction of an anti-corruption campaign. This campaign has led to the purging of government officials, NGO voices, and most recently president Nguyen Xuan Phuc. As Vietnam continues to undergo drastic political shifts, the question must be asked, is anything actually changing?
The Media Suppression and Blazing Furnace Campaign
In recent years, the VCP has enacted overlapping campaigns meant to streamline and provide legitimation for the government as an international body. One such is the “Blazing Furnace”, described above as the anti-corruption campaign. Another connected campaign is one targeted specifically at political dissent meant to silence “criminal voices” via social media. Reuters has described this as being a thinly veiled attempt to curb any voice critical of the communist party. “Corruption” could be interpreted in ways beneficial to the VCP, and on these grounds, many journalists and NGO spokesmen have found themselves behind bars. In tandem with the anti-corruption campaign, the VCP enacted a 24-hour rule regarding the takedown of any social media content that is deemed “misinformation.” In this sense “fake news” is considered inflammatory and once ignited has the potential to spread uncontrollably. The VCP’s war on the people to maintain power has taken to the realm of media where it has gone to great lengths to control the faintest hints of dissenting opinion. In this light, the VCP has denied the Vietnamese people of true freedom of press in an effort to preserve a unanimous hold over the nation’s thoughts and values.
Is Vietnam’s UNHRC Spot a Sign of Positive Change?
With Vietnam’s anti-corruption campaign has come a massive purge of government officials, including two deputy prime ministers, that have long since been deemed as driving corruption in the country. Yet, the concerning aspect of this is the combination of imprisoned journalists, social media crackdowns, and long-term punishment of NGO leaders such as Nguy Thi Khanh. In light of this, and despite the claim that the purge is meant to increase Vietnam’s legitimacy as a global business partner in the face of China and other Asian nations, it may not be a stretch to assume that a government purge may simply be a cover for interested key figures to take their political places. In essence, the anti-corruption campaign may in part be a tactical act to shift political power for those who sought more lucrative positions. Given several human rights organizations’ criticisms over Vietnam winning a seat at the UNHRC this past October, despite its repeatedly documented abuses, there is likely an aggressive agenda behind the anti-corruption campaign.
Given the circumstances, it is unlikely Vietnam has truly improved its state of corruption. As the president has recently stepped down, now is the time to watch for political advancements. There is an opportunity for a fresh set of voices within Vietnam’s leadership to fill the void of open positions, but it is doubtful too much change may occur within the VCP.