Hanoi: Vietnamese journalist Huy Duc has been sentenced for posting critical Facebook articles about the government. He received jail time for violating state interests.
A court in Hanoi convicted the 63-year-old of “abusing democratic freedoms,” citing 13 Facebook posts that challenged Vietnam’s leadership.
Huy Duc, known for his influential writings, previously worked for major state-run newspapers before launching his popular blog and social media accounts.
His articles criticized government corruption, media restrictions, and Vietnam’s foreign relations, especially with China, leading to his arrest.
State media reported that he admitted some content violated state interests and expressed regret during his brief trial.
Quick Verdict
The trial lasted only a few hours before the court handed down its decision, reinforcing Vietnam’s strict media policies.
Authorities claimed his Facebook posts had high engagement, causing social unrest and negatively impacting public safety.
Huy Duc had recently criticized top Communist Party leaders, including To Lam and former leader Nguyen Phu Trong.
Officials did not specify if the charges were linked to those particular posts, but the timing suggested political motives.
Vietnam, a one-party state, has a reputation for harsh crackdowns on journalists and independent media voices.
Press Crackdown
The nation remains among the top jailers of journalists, according to Reporters Without Borders (RSF).
In a similar case, blogger Duong Van Thai was sentenced to 12 years in prison for anti-state publications.
He had amassed nearly 120,000 YouTube followers, where he regularly criticized government policies in livestreams.
In January, another activist—a former lawyer—was jailed for three years over social media posts.
Vietnam enforces strict censorship, ensuring that any dissenting voices face swift legal action and imprisonment.
