Spokesperson for Agency
— ikram • June 10th, 2007
Vietnam government last month set out a new regulation that ordered state administration agencies to have a spokesperson, who will be making announcements and providing information to the media. He/she also must provide accurate and timely information to the media if there is an event or problem that requires the state agency to make an announcement, or when media organisations or press management agencies ask them to provide information.
Some people are happy with this new regulation. Bach Ba, a journalist in Hanoi, said “the regulations will make it easier for me to find a contact and get the agency’s view.”
But some aren’t so happy, because on the other hand, those who are not assigned to be a spokesperson or who are not authorised to supply information to the media will not be allowed to do so on behalf of their agencies. They are not allowed to reveal secrets or secret information about investigations. It is also forbidden to provide wrong or dishonest information to the media.
In my opinion, the regulation is a good start for government’s transparency. Of course one source is never enough for journalists – they still have to find a way to seek the truth, the real truth, and not getting easily satisfied by what the spokesperson might say. They’re just a part of the government, anyway.
What about you? Please click here to read the story from Vietnam Investment Review.
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