Freedom of speech is one of the basic human rights. Currently, the Internet and social networks have become popular tools for each person to express their views and express their freedom of speech.
Besides strictly complying with the provisions of the law on speech, there are still individuals and groups that always find ways to take advantage of freedom of speech to distort the truth, infringe upon the legitimate interests of organizations and citizens in cyberspace, affecting security and order.
Talking to Lao Dong Newspaper, Mr. Nguyen Tuc - Member of the Presidium, Chairman of the Advisory Council on Culture - Society, Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front - said that freedom of speech in Vietnam is a constitutional right, and at the same time is an important foundation to promote democracy and encourage social criticism, and strengthen people's supervision. The right to freedom of speech is exercised in accordance with the law.
According to Mr. Nguyen Tuc, with the development of social networks, reality has shown that there are individuals and groups that take advantage of freedom of speech, make baseless accusations, and even insult the honor and dignity of others. Many cases have been administratively handled for this.
In the name of freedom of speech, insulting the honor of individuals and organizations, calling for the arrest of others, or using baseless accusations to criticize others on social networks is inappropriate" - Mr. Tuc said.
According to Mr. Nguyen Tuc, when contributing opinions to anyone, about something, it must be for good purposes so that they can fix it to be better, not to insult and degrade each other on social networks. Competent agencies and state management agencies need to handle according to the law those who have used fabricated words, slandered, infringed on privacy or incited and punished others.
Hastily concluding who is right and who is wrong; who deserves to be dismissed, boycotted or "erased" from social life is no longer a right to freedom of expression. This is impersonating justice from emotional "sentences"" - Mr. Nguyen Tuc analyzed.
According to Mr. Nguyen Tuc, a society always needs critical voices. But a rule-of-law society also needs to respect the boundaries between the right to criticize of citizens and the authority to conclude on the law.
When that boundary is blurred, criticism is very easy to turn into accusation, and repeated speculations are gradually seen as conclusions that have been established.
Determining whether an individual or an organization has violated the law or not, to what extent they must be held responsible and under what form of handling must be based on evidence and in accordance with legal procedures.
Mr. Nguyen Tuc said that although cyberspace may be "virtual", the people behind each account are real. They all have their own honor, family, and work.
A civilized society is not a society without debate, but a society that knows how to debate with reason; does not make people think the same, but also does not accept slander and insults. Righteousness is not measured by the volume of the crowd, and justice cannot be replaced by an online trial.
Social networks can detect abnormal signs, provide information and require transparency. Public opinion has the right to question, but does not have the right to convict. The conclusion of right or wrong, determination of the level of violation and application of sanctions must belong to the competent authority" - Mr. Nguyen Tuc analyzed.
Mr. Nguyen Tuc emphasized that all citizens live according to the Constitution and law, all citizens are protected by law. In cases of insulting personal dignity and honor, the State has the responsibility to protect and handle them according to the provisions of law. Only then will society be civilized, helping each voice not go further than what the truth has been verified.
Resolution No. 66-NQ/TW of the Politburo also emphasized the viewpoint of vision to 2045, Vietnam has a high-quality, modern legal system, close to standards, advanced international practices and in accordance with the country's reality, which is strictly, consistently, respectfully implemented, ensuring, and effectively protecting human rights and citizens' rights.
Thereby, upholding the Constitution and laws becomes a standard of conduct for all subjects in society, modern national governance with a streamlined, efficient, effective, and efficient state apparatus, meeting the requirements of rapid and sustainable national development.
