The power of journalism in “upholding the right and eliminating the wrong”

DNHN - Journalism holds a genuine power—the power to “uphold the right and eliminate the wrong,” as President Ho Chi Minh once taught.

This means actively fighting to protect what is good and combating what is harmful, with the shared goal of building a better society.

Associate Professor Dr. Bui Quang Tuan, Vice President of the Vietnam Economic Science Association and former Director of the Vietnam Institute of Economics, emphasized the vital role of the press:

“Journalism is not only a channel to report on business activities, achievements, and challenges of enterprises, but also a medium to disseminate policies and directives of the Party and State. Moreover, the press serves as a bridge between businesses and their customers, investors, and partners—helping to mobilize crucial resources such as capital, labor, and technology to support enterprise growth.”

In recent days, journalism has fearlessly delved into the murky world of counterfeit medicine, fake functional foods, and low-quality, knock-off products that have plagued the market for a long time. These exposés have shocked consumers, revealing how deeply these threats have infiltrated the daily lives of Vietnamese citizens.

The fight against corruption—without exception zones—traffic accidents, public health, and education are consistently updated by the media. Of particular importance lately is the coverage of the provincial merger strategy, described as a “new chapter in local history and a national growth driver.” Journalists have played a crucial role in ensuring public understanding and supporting the smooth operation of the new two-tier governance system at local levels.

Clearly, journalism is increasingly shedding light on complex areas of social life, helping readers grasp the true nature of issues. However, reporting on renewable energy development in Vietnam still lacks in-depth investigative and analytical journalism. Clean energy has garnered global attention for its immense benefits. Since 2021, Vietnam’s momentum in developing wind and solar power has slowed due to the end of the FIT pricing mechanism, with no viable alternative mechanism in place.

“The absence of a timely post-FIT pricing policy has eroded investor confidence and delayed numerous projects. The transition from FIT to auctions or PPA contracts based on price ceilings lacks clarity in pricing methods, risk-sharing mechanisms, and implementation timelines. Furthermore, current PPAs lack strong legal enforceability and don’t provide payment guarantees or risk-sharing frameworks regarding infrastructure, policies, and regulations—making it difficult for international financial institutions to invest in the long term,” noted Associate Professor Dr. Dang Tran Tho, Director of the Institute of Energy Technology, Hanoi University of Science and Technology.

One of the biggest obstacles in Vietnam’s energy transition is the underdeveloped and unstable policy framework. Despite the issuance of the revised Power Development Plan VIII and international commitments to net-zero emissions, there is still no foundational legal framework for renewable energy (such as a Renewable Energy Law or an Energy Transition Law). This has resulted in fragmented policies with weak legal enforcement, making consistent implementation across central and local levels extremely difficult. Many investors and clean energy enterprises are struggling with the complex “clean electricity roadmap,” hoping for bold, insightful, and empathetic journalism that truly understands the challenges faced by clean energy pioneers.

After a century of growth, Vietnam’s revolutionary press must not only carry forward its proud tradition but also continuously innovate to remain a steadfast pillar of support for all social classes. In the digital age, the power of journalism must be more potent than ever—through the courage to confront the truth, objective evaluation, honoring the good, and resolutely confronting the bad and the wrong. Journalism should not merely reflect reality but act as a catalyst for innovation and social progress.

Vân Tâm