Threatening journalists punishable by up to VND60 million

A fine ranging from VND40 million to VND60 million will be imposed on those having words or behaviours that pose a threat to a journalist or correspondent’s life, according to a new decree that took effect on December 1, 2020.

The act of posing a threat to a journalist or correspondent’s life will face a fine ranging from VND40 million to VND60 million. Photo kinhtedothi.vn

The decree coded 119/2020/ND-CP mentions administrative penalties for violations in journalism and publishing related activities, including illegal hindrance to journalists carrying out their tasks.
Speaking to Kinh Te&Do Thi (Economic and Urban Affairs) newspaper, lawyer Dang Van Cuong, head of Chinh Phap Law Office, said the old decree - 159/2013/ND-CP that was issued on November 12, 2013 - imposed a fine of VND20 million to VND30 million on posing a threat to a journalist or correspondent’s life.
The Government issued a new decree on October 7, 2020 to replace the old one. One of the adjusted regulations increases the fine on those with words or behaviours that pose a threat to a journalist or correspondent’s life but are not serious enough for criminal prosecution, he said.
“I think that stiffening penalties on this violation is appropriate and necessary because many journalists and correspondents have recently been threatened or attacked while they are on duty, affecting press activities as well as threatening the journalists’ health.
“The cases are getting more complicated so every journalist and reporter needs to equip themselves with preventive skills and experience to react to certain situations. The authorities must strictly deal with those violations in order to ensure social order and safety of press activities,” lawyer Cuong said.
"Any act that infringes or threatens to infringe upon the spirit, health, life or property of journalists or reporters while they are working is an act of law violation and might be prosecuted for criminal liability depending on the level of violations, he said.
Vietnam’s Press Law prohibits the acts of threatening or intimidating the life, damaging the honour and dignity of journalists and reporters; destroying or seizing equipment and documents; and preventing journalists and reporters from carrying out their lawful professional activities.