Vietnam's Leader To Lam Outlines Vision for Press in Digital Era

HANOI – In a detailed article marking the 101st anniversary of Vietnam Revolutionary Press Day, Party General Secretary and State President To Lam articulated a vision for the country's media, asserting that the revolutionary press must fundamentally transform to continue its contributions to the nation and serve the people in the digital era.

The article, released by the Vietnam News Agency on June 18, addresses the profound changes reshaping the information landscape. It was published ahead of the June 21 anniversary, which commemorates the founding of the nation's revolutionary press in 1925.

A New Communications Order

President To Lam began by observing that after more than a century of development, Vietnam's press is entering a new stage defined by the digital space, which has become an indispensable component of daily life. He noted that digital technologies, big data, artificial intelligence (AI), social media, and cross-border platforms have fundamentally altered the creation, distribution, and verification of information.

"Today, people study, work, communicate, conduct business, seek entertainment, express their views, and engage in social issues through online platforms," he wrote. This environment presents significant opportunities for disseminating knowledge and promoting social democracy. The Party’s guidelines and the State’s policies can now reach tens of millions simultaneously, while technology allows for more immediate public feedback.

However, this digital ecosystem also introduces complexities. The online environment is increasingly susceptible to "fleeting emotions, misinformation, algorithmic manipulation, and the deliberate dissemination of misleading content." The president identified a growing list of threats, including fake news, half-truths, fabricated images and audio, AI-generated content, copyright infringement, cyberattacks, and data theft, all of which are becoming more sophisticated. He warned that false information can achieve widespread reach before the truth is verified, and that manipulated content can damage reputations and erode public trust in state policies.

In this new order, the press no longer holds a near-monopoly on information dissemination. By the end of 2025, Vietnam had approximately 85.6 million internet users, representing 84.2% of the population, and around 79 million social media user identities. Statistics show Vietnamese users maintain about 110 million accounts on domestic social media and approximately 203 million on foreign networks. This environment forces the press to compete directly with a vast volume of content generated by platforms and users, where nearly every individual can act as an information source.

The Enduring Role of Trusted Journalism

Despite these shifts, President To Lam argued that the role of the revolutionary press is not diminished. On the contrary, he stated, "the more abundant information becomes, the more society needs trusted sources to distinguish what is true, what still requires verification, and what may merely reflect crowd sentiment or deliberate manipulation." This requires professionalism, ethical commitment, and resilience. "Journalism must be a place where the public turns for reliable verification, not one that simply follows trends," he stressed.

He asserted that the public needs a trusted source to understand events accurately, including what happened, why, who is affected, where responsibility lies, and what evidence-based solutions exist. The digital space also demands journalism that is rich in data, diverse in content, and profound in policy analysis, as complex issues like digital transformation, green transition, and global economic fluctuations cannot be understood through fragmented information.

Consequently, the responsibility of the press is "not merely to be faster, but above all to be more accurate, more insightful, and more useful."

A Comprehensive Digital Transformation

President To Lam cautioned that digital transformation in journalism cannot be reduced to launching online platforms or investing in modern equipment. It demands a comprehensive overhaul of leadership thinking, newsroom models, production workflows, data management, content distribution, and professional culture. "Digital journalism is not traditional journalism operating on a new platform; it is a new way of organising journalism in a new environment," he wrote.

Within newsrooms, every story should be treated as an information product with clear objectives. All content, regardless of platform, must adhere to consistent standards of accuracy, humanity, verification, and accountability. "Serious journalism on a publication's main platform cannot be accompanied by lower standards elsewhere," he noted.

Data has become a central pillar. More than a collection of figures, data is the foundation for verification and a tool for creating more persuasive journalistic products. He pointed to major global news organizations investing heavily in data capabilities to enhance credibility and identify issues early.

Another critical issue is maintaining proactiveness in dealing with cross-border digital platforms. While the press must reach audiences on all platforms, it cannot become dependent on external algorithms. He warned that news organizations focused solely on clicks risk losing control over audience data, content distribution, and brand identity. The goal is to leverage global platforms while building proprietary channels, loyal audiences, and trusted brands.

This backdrop necessitates a greater awareness of national information sovereignty, with the revolutionary press acting as a leading force in its protection. This does not mean isolation, but rather building a strong, multilingual, and multimedia digital external communications press capable of conveying Vietnam's message to global audiences through modern storytelling that preserves a distinct national identity.

Sustainability, Ethics, and Human Capital

To fulfill its mission, the press requires resources for sustainable development. President To Lam stated that a digital journalism economy is not at odds with the goals of revolutionary journalism. Without adequate resources, media organizations cannot invest in technology, protect copyrights, or retain skilled professionals. However, he emphasized that commercial activities must serve the journalistic mission, not drive it toward sensationalism or the commodification of information. New revenue streams from digital subscriptions, copyright licensing, and data services should be developed.

He called for rigorous enforcement of copyright protection in the digital and AI environments, defining journalistic content as a product of creative effort, investment, and legal responsibility. "Protecting copyright means protecting legitimate labour and safeguarding the quality of information in society," he argued.

Ultimately, the success of this transformation depends on people. Journalists in the digital era must be proficient with data, digital tools, and information security standards. "The more tools are available, the stronger their professional mettle must be," he wrote, cautioning against the tendency to publish first and verify later. Journalists must not sacrifice credibility for views and should ask three questions before publishing: "Is it accurate? Is it necessary? Does it benefit society?"

Press agency leaders must also evolve from content gatekeepers to strategists overseeing products, data, audiences, and technology. Newsrooms need a new culture that is professional, disciplined, innovative, and open to experimentation without compromising standards. Continuous retraining in digital verification, data security, and AI ethics is essential.

Institutional Framework and Public Engagement

President To Lam highlighted the upcoming implementation of Press Law No. 126/2025/QH15 on July 1, 2026, as a key step in completing the institutional framework for digital journalism. The legal framework must protect lawful journalism, encourage innovation, and safeguard copyright while strictly maintaining press discipline.

He identified the urgent task of building a national-scale information verification capacity, requiring coordination among management agencies, press organizations, technology experts, and platform companies to counter disinformation campaigns effectively.

Throughout this process, the public must remain at the center. The press must listen to its audience, which now provides feedback, contributes data, and demands transparency. While innovating to engage younger audiences, the press must never lower its professional standards.

In his conclusion, President To Lam called for the press to strike a balance between "political mettle and technological capability, between revolutionary ideals and innovative mindset." He expressed confidence that by transforming revolutionary traditions into a driving force for innovation, Vietnam’s press will continue to make meaningful contributions to serving the Fatherland and the people in the digital age.