The already dire situation for Vietnamese journalists deteriorated in 2003, with attacks increasing against reporters covering crime and corruption. Those who used the Internet to distribute independent news and opinion faced harsh prison sentences and increasing surveillance. The traditional media remained under the tight regulation of government censors.
There were 138 journalists in prison around the world at the end of 2003 who were jailed for practicing their profession. The number is the same as last year. An analysis of the reasons behind this is contained in the introduction on page 10. At the beginning of 2004, CPJ sent letters of inquiry to…
New York, December 29, 2003—The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) condemns the prolonged detention of writer Nguyen Vu Binh and calls for his immediate release. Binh, 35, is scheduled to go on trial on December 31 at the People’s Court in Vietnam’s capital, Hanoi. A court official told international news agencies that Binh will be…
New York, November 12, 2003—The Hanoi People’s Court sentenced writer Tran Dung Tien to 10 months in prison in a two and a half hour trial today. The sentence is retroactive and so Tien, who was arrested on January 22, 2003, is slated for release on November 22. “CPJ welcomes Tran Dung Tien’s imminent release,…
New York, November 11, 2003—The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) condemns the prolonged detention of writer Tran Dung Tien and calls for his immediate release. Tien, 74, is scheduled to go on trial tomorrow at Hanoi People’s Court. A foreign ministry official announced today that Tien will be tried on charges of “abusing democratic rights…
New York, August 26, 2003—In an appeal trial heard today, the Hanoi Supreme Court reduced the prison sentence of journalist Pham Hong Son from 13 years to five years. Son is still required to serve three years of administrative detention, or house arrest, upon release. Son’s wife, Vu Thuy Ha, was the only witness allowed…
New York, August 22, 2003—Vietnam’s Hanoi Supreme Court is scheduled to hear the appeal of journalist Pham Hong Son on Tuesday, August 26. Son is serving a 13-year sentence on espionage charges. “Pham Hong Son should never have been imprisoned,” said Ann Cooper, the executive director of the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ). “We believe…
New York, July 16, 2003—A top Vietnamese government official has said that imprisoned writer and publisher Nguyen Dan Que would be released only if he agrees to leave Vietnam permanently and live in exile, according to a Sunday, July 13, report from the U.S.-funded Radio Free Asia (RFA) confirmed by CPJ. RFA reported that Deputy…