Vietnam journalist day celebrated The Party and State of Vietnam appreciate the role of journalists, and respect and create favourable conditions for the press to develop, says Prime Minister Phan Van Khai; Mr. Huu Tho, the head of the Central Cultural and Ideological Department of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee says a journalist should be a citizen who first of all places national interest above personal interest. Speaking to reporters on the 75th Vietnam Journalists’ Day June 21st Mr. Huu Tho said in Vietnam, journalists protect national interests while providing information to people. Commentator Quang Loi of the army newspaper Quan Doi Nhan Dan, one of the four major newspapers in Vietnam says that a comment on international issue should strictly follow three standards of respecting the facts, the development of current trend and at the same time remain true to the Vietnam’s Party and State’s stand and policies. Mr. Loi said, "These three components are not harmoneous. I’ve been writing comments on international issues for nearly 20 years, yet I have found no problems combining these three components into a commentary. An international commentator besides being sensitive, should have his or her own political point of view to meet the readers’ need for information while interpreting foreign policies of Vietnam." Reporter Manh Hung of the Current Affairs Department of Radio VOV, who has won three national press prizes shares his opinion, "All information provided by Radio VOV should be in the interest of listeners. The freedom of press, in whatever circumstances should serve the interests of the nation and of the people." The 7th Congress of Vietnam Journalists’ Association was held in Hanoi in late March. Addressing the Congress, Prime Minister Phan Van Khai said the Party and State of Vietnam appreciate the role of journalists, and respect and create favourable conditions for the press to develop while respecting the rights of journalists. The Voice of Vietnam - June 17, 2000.