Vietnam doubles fine for press conferences that impact national interests

The decree on dealing with administrative violations in press and publication activities, issued last week, said press conferences that provide content that affects national interests, but not serious enough to warrant a criminal charge, would incur a fine of VND140-200 million ($6,040-8,630).

The new decree, to take effect starting December, would replace a 2013 law that fined similar violations only VND70-100 million.

Other punishments include fines of up to VND40 million for press conferences that have been suspended, but carried on anyway, compared to previous fines of up to VND20 million, and fines of up to VND3 million for holding press conferences without approval, compared to previous fines of up to VND500,000.