Tourism publication banned for three months

Reporters Without Borders firmly condemns a three-month ban which the information and communication ministry has imposed on Du Lich, a biweekly published by the tourism department, because of articles in its Lunar New Year issue referring to an international territorial dispute. Du Lich was guilty of “serious violations of Vietnamese press law," the ministry said. The offending stories were about the Spratly and Paracel Islands, which have been claimed by several nations in the region including China and Vietnam, although Vietnam has ended up recognising China’s claim. Du Lich is accused of publishing “untruthful information” as well as inciting violence and sowing hatred among nations. Reporters Without Borders calls on the government to allow the media to freely discuss the issue of the Spratly and Paracel Islands. An article by journalist Trung Bao praised the courageous spirit of those who participated in anti-China demonstrations in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City last year. Du Lich’s editors have reportedly accepted the ministry’s decision but refuse to recognise they were wrong. Deputy editor Nguyen Trung Dan told the BBC that all the newspaper did was reflect “the people’s wishes.” He added: “Isn’t it a good thing to encourage patriotism among the public?”