On February 28, 2025, the Foreign Correspondents' Club of Thailand (FCCT) hosted a pivotal panel discussion titled "Media Freedom in the Mekong Region: Briefing, Report Launch, and Discussion." The event shed light on the escalating challenges faced by journalists and media professionals in countries bordering the Mekong River, with a particular focus on Vietnam.
At the event, Quynh-Vi Tran, co-founder and Taiwan Office Director of Legal Initiatives for Vietnam (LIV), provided an in-depth analysis of the deteriorating state of press freedom in Vietnam from LIV's report "Censorship in Vietnam - State Media Under Unprecedented Attack," published in November 2024.
The report offers a comprehensive examination of the legal frameworks and systemic practices employed by the Vietnamese government to suppress independent journalism. Key findings include:
- Legal Repression: The Vietnamese authorities have increasingly utilized vague statutes, such as "abusing democratic freedoms" and "conducting anti-state propaganda," to arrest and imprison journalists and bloggers.
- Prison Conditions: Detained journalists often endure harsh conditions, including solitary confinement, limited access to legal representation, and inadequate medical care.
- Censorship and Surveillance: There is a pervasive environment of censorship, with extensive monitoring of online activities and strict control over traditional media outlets.
The panel also addressed the broader context of media freedom in the Mekong region. According to the latest World Press Freedom Index by Reporters Without Borders, countries like Myanmar, Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos rank among the lowest globally, reflecting severe restrictions on journalistic activities.
The discussion concluded with a call for international solidarity and support for journalists operating under oppressive regimes. Vi emphasized the need for global awareness and advocacy to pressure governments in the Mekong region to uphold fundamental freedoms and protect the rights of media professionals.
The FCCT event underscored the critical challenges facing press freedom in Southeast Asia and highlighted the essential work of organizations like LIV in defending the rights of journalists and promoting transparency.
