(CPJ/IFEX) – On 8 October 1997, Nguyen Hoang Linh, the editor of the state-run business newspaper “Doang Nghiep” (“Enterprise”), was arrested on charges of revealing state secrets. The arrest and charges, which were confirmed by the management of the newspaper on 12 October, were linked to reports authored by Linh in “Doang Nghiep” that explored […]
(CPJ/IFEX) – On 8 October 1997, Nguyen Hoang Linh, the editor of
the state-run business newspaper “Doang Nghiep” (“Enterprise”),
was arrested on charges of revealing state secrets. The arrest
and charges, which were confirmed by the management of the
newspaper on 12 October, were linked to reports authored by Linh
in “Doang Nghiep” that explored questionable business practices
by the General Customs Department of Vietnam in the purchase of
coastal patrol boats. Local journalists told the Reuters news
agency that the arrest was being interpreted as a warning to
other reporters who may wish to report on government corruption.
The arrest follows restrictions imposed earlier this year on the
release of financial and banking information. The Vietnamese
government has also issued a decree barring domestic journalists
from passing information to their foreign counterparts without
first obtaining state permission (see IFEX alert of 6 October
1997).
Recommended Action
Send appeals to authorities:
Hoang Linh, create a chilling climate that makes it virtually
impossible for Vietnamese journalists to do their work
restrictions on the press in Vietnam
Appeals To
His Excellency Do Muoi
Secretary General
The Vietnamese Communist Party
Hanoi, Socialist Republic of Vietnam
Fax: +84 4 259 205 (or try +84 4 459 205)Nguyen Mahn Cam
Foreign Minister
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
1 Ton That Dam
Hanoi, Socialist Republic of Vietnam
Fax: +84 4 259 205His Excellency President General Le Van Anh
c/o Ministry of Culture and Information
51-53 Ngo Quyen
Hanoi, Socialist Republic of Vietnamthe Vietnamese diplomatic representative to your country
(in the United States)
His Excellency Le Van Bang
Ambassador
Embassy of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam
1233 20th Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20036 United States
Fax: + 1 202 861 0917(in Canada)
Embassy of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam
25 B Davidson Dr.
Gloucester, Ontario
K1J 6L7 Canada
Fax: +1 613 744 5072
Please copy appeals to the source if possible.
