Vietnam sentences blogger Nguyen Chi Tuyen to 5 years in prison
JournalismPakistan.com |
Published last year | CPJ News Alert
Join our WhatsApp channel
BANGKOK—The Committee to Protect Journalists condemns the sentencing of Nguyen Chi Tuyen, one of Vietnam's best-known civil society activists and YouTubers, to five years in prison for his news reporting and calls for his immediate and unconditional release.
A court in the capital Hanoi ruled that Nguyen, who has been in detention since he was arrested at home in February, had violated Article 117 of the penal code, a broad provision that prohibits making, storing, or disseminating information against the state. Tuyen's lawyer, Nguyen Ha Luan, said he would consider appealing the conviction.
"Nguyen Chi Tuyen's sentencing is the latest outrage against Vietnam's free press and should be promptly reversed,"” said Shawn Crispin, CPJ's senior Southeast Asia representative. "Vietnam’s unrelenting campaign to silence journalists must stop now."
Tuyen, also known as Anh Chi, uses social media to report and comment on political and social issues. His AC Media YouTube channel, which focuses on the Ukraine war, has some 57,000 followers, while his Anh Chi Rau Den YouTube channel has 98,000 subscribers, according to CPJ's review.
Vietnam was the fifth worst jailer of journalists worldwide, with at least 19 reporters behind bars on December 1, 2023, in CPJ's latest annual global prison census.
Vietnam's Ministry of Public Security did not immediately respond to CPJ's email requesting comment on Thang's conviction.
Photo: Reuters/Kham
Explore Further
Indonesia’s agriculture minister faces backlash over lawsuit against Tempo
November 03, 2025:
Global journalist unions condemn the Indonesian agriculture minister’s lawsuit against Tempo, calling it a threat to press freedom and demanding that the case be withdrawn.
All About Macau to cease print and online operations amid mounting pressure
November 02, 2025:
Independent outlet All About Macau to halt print and online operations amid rising pressure, financial strain, and legal threats, sparking press freedom concerns in the city.
India proposes strict rules to label AI-generated media and deepfakes
October 30, 2025:
India’s government has proposed strict new rules mandating the labelling of AI-generated and deepfake media to curb misinformation and ensure content authenticity on social platforms.
Vietnam detains BBC journalist, holds passport amid UK visit by Hanoi leader
October 30, 2025:
Vietnamese authorities seize BBC journalist’s passport amid interrogation, sparking outrage as Hanoi leader To Lam visits the UK. Rights groups urge her release.
Kyrgyzstan declares outlets Kloop and Temirov Live ‘extremist’ in unprecedented crackdown
October 29, 2025:
In a historic first, a Bishkek court declares Kloop, Temirov Live, and their founders extremist, marking Kyrgyzstan’s sharpest assault on press freedom under President Japarov.
IFJ, global unions urge ASEAN to reject Myanmar junta’s planned sham election
October 27, 2025:
IFJ and over 300 global unions urge ASEAN to reject the Myanmar junta’s sham 2025 election, calling it an illegal attempt to legitimize military rule.
Injured broadcaster dies after shooting attack in Philippines
October 23, 2025:
IFJ and NUJP condemn the killing of Filipino broadcaster Noel Bellen Samar in Albay, urging swift justice and stronger protections for journalists in the Philippines.
Second media worker killed in Afghanistan as cross-border tensions escalate
October 17, 2025:
Afghan media worker Abdul Zahir Safi was killed in Kabul, the second journalist slain in two days amid rising Afghanistan-Pakistan border tensions.