Routine passport renewal journeys and household visits turned a critical ordeal after a BBC journalist was prevented from leaving Vietnam and repeatedly questioned by police.
The journalist, a Vietnamese nationwide dwelling and dealing in Thailand, traveled to Vietnam in August to use for a brand new passport. A renewed passport was issued, however authorities withheld it together with different identification paperwork. Police reportedly questioned reporters over a number of days about their work, sources and reporting strategies.
The BBC confirmed that the journalist has been “unable to go away the nation for a lot of months” as his paperwork stay withheld. The broadcaster is anxious in regards to the security of its journalists and has referred to as on the Vietnamese authorities to permit them to journey freely.
The timing of this lawsuit is politically delicate. Vietnam’s Normal Secretary Tho Lam is at the moment visiting the UK, and supporters of the journalist hope that the British Prime Minister will increase the problem. They argue that sturdy diplomatic relations mustn’t come on the expense of human rights and press freedom.
Since changing into social gathering common secretary in August 2024, Torum has tightened management over the media and elevated stress on unbiased voices. Most of Vietnam’s media shops are state-owned, and journalists should observe strict authorities pointers. Impartial blogs and social media accounts essential of the authorities are sometimes blocked, and writers and activists are susceptible to arrest for publishing content material deemed “anti-state.” In Could, Vietnam banned print variations of books. economist After a star is drawn above To Ram’s eyes on the duvet.
Reporters With out Borders ranked Vietnam 173rd out of 180 international locations in its 2025 Press Freedom Index, noting that journalists and unbiased bloggers are sometimes imprisoned for reporting.
Rights teams have condemned the transfer as an assault on press freedom. Phil Robertson, from the Asian Human Rights and Labor Advocacy Group, warned that journalists might face additional punishment and imprisonment until the UK intervenes. “He ought to be allowed to go away the nation instantly,” the reporter mentioned.
For now, many are ready to see whether or not Britain would require the protected departure of journalists when participating with Vietnam on commerce and diplomacy. The incident is a stark reminder of the dangers journalists face in international locations the place media is tightly managed.