Vietnam expands state secrecy law, weakens journalist source protection

 JournalismPakistan.com |  Published: 10 December 2025 |  JP Asia Desk

Vietnam's National Assembly has enacted reforms expanding state secrecy laws, significantly impacting journalist source protection. The changes allow public security agencies to compel disclosure of sources, raising alarms among press freedom advocates.

Summary

HANOI — Vietnam’s National Assembly has approved amendments to the country’s media and state secrecy laws that significantly expand government powers over journalists, prompting concern from press freedom advocates and media professionals.

The reforms, passed on December 10, 2025, widen the definition of what constitutes a state secret and extend authority to compel journalists to disclose confidential sources beyond the courts to include public security agencies and local police.

Expanded powers for security agencies

Under the amended legislation, journalists can now be legally required to reveal sources at the request of public security officials, even without prior judicial authorization. Previously, such orders were limited and typically required court oversight.

The law also broadens secrecy classifications to include information related to senior officials’ overseas activities and engagements, an area that had not been explicitly covered under earlier legal frameworks.

Chilling effect on investigative reporting

Media analysts say the changes weaken already limited legal protections for journalists in Vietnam, where most news outlets are state-owned or tightly regulated. Independent reporters and bloggers, who often rely on confidential sources, are expected to face increased legal risk.

The expanded secrecy definitions may also restrict reporting on foreign policy, governance, and international engagements, areas that have drawn public interest but are now more vulnerable to censorship.

Press freedom groups warn that the combination of broader secrecy rules and expanded police powers is likely to encourage self-censorship, reduce investigative journalism, and deter whistleblowers from engaging with the media.

ATTRIBUTION: Reporting based on legislative records, official government statements, and analysis by international press freedom organizations.