Between State Tolerance and Direct Control of Mass Media in Vietnam !e Rise and Decline of Quasi-Private Press

Abstract

This study examines the evolution of the state-press relationship in Socialist Vietnam over the past two decades. Following economic reforms and the advent of the internet, Vietnam has witnessed the emergence of various forms of mass media. Despite historically restrictive state-press relationships, these outlets have captivated larger audiences than their state-owned counterparts. Focusing on privately-owned online press within the tightly controlled media landscape, we explore the development of quasi-private press, facilitated by the internet and big tech enterprises. We posit that this new media landscape has navigated stringent state censorship, leading to an enhanced degree of media autonomy. Furthermore, it has emboldened some journalists to engage in an e"ort to push the boundaries of permissible content. In this paper, we also underscore that the governments recent intensification of press regulations could potentially stifle the dynamism of new media