Vietnamese Journalist sentenced to 30 months in prison over Facebook posts

A Vietnamese court has sentenced independent journalist Truong Huy San, also known as Huy Duc, to 30 months in prison over social media posts that criticized the government. The ruling, delivered Thursday in Hanoi, underscores Vietnam’s ongoing crackdown on press freedom.

Fast-Tracked Trial and Government Charges

According to Vietnam News Agency, the court found Huy Duc guilty of “abusing democratic freedoms to infringe upon the interests of the state,” citing 13 Facebook posts that allegedly had a negative impact on social order.

The trial lasted only a few hours, with authorities pointing to the high number of interactions, comments, and shares on Huy Duc’s posts as justification for the harsh sentence.

Huy Duc, a former state journalist turned independent commentator, has been known for his outspoken criticism of Vietnam’s communist leadership, particularly on issues such as corruption, press restrictions, and political power struggles.

A History of Government Crackdowns

Huy Duc’s sentencing follows a pattern of increasing government censorship in Vietnam. He was detained by state security agents in June 2024, days after posting articles about political turmoil on Facebook.

This latest conviction comes as the Vietnamese government expands legal measures to suppress dissent, including a December 2024 regulation requiring social media platforms such as Facebook and TikTok to verify user identities and hand over data to authorities.

Vietnam ranks 174th out of 180 countries in the World Press Freedom Index, making it one of the most restrictive environments for journalists. According to the Committee to Protect Journalists, Vietnam is also one of the top jailers of journalists, with at least 19 reporters behind bars as of December 2024.

Global Condemnation from Press Freedom Groups

Reporters Without Borders (RSF) strongly condemned the ruling, calling on the international community to pressure Hanoi for his release.

“By handing down this prison sentence, the regime showed its contempt for press freedom and its determination to silence independent voices,” said Cedric Alviani, RSF’s Asia-Pacific director.

Similarly, PEN America criticized the sentence, stating that it sends a “chilling message” to journalists in Vietnam.

“Sentencing Truong Huy San for his writing is a stark reminder that Vietnam fears the power of words,” said Anh-Thu Vo, PEN America’s research and advocacy manager.

From State Journalist to Government Critic

Huy Duc previously worked for state-run newspapers, but his career took a sharp turn in 2009 when he was fired for criticizing Vietnam’s former communist ally, the Soviet Union.

He later launched one of Vietnam’s most influential blogs, becoming known for his sharp political commentary. In 2012, he spent a year at Harvard University as a Nieman Fellow, where he wrote The Winning Side, a book about life in Vietnam after the war with the United States.

Future Implications for Vietnam’s Press Freedom

Vietnam’s increasing use of legal tools to criminalize free expression is alarming press freedom advocates. The country’s new social media laws make it harder for critics to speak anonymously, raising concerns that more journalists, writers, and activists will face persecution.

As the government tightens its control over online discourse, the sentencing of Huy Duc serves as a warning to others who challenge the state’s authority.

International watchdogs and press freedom organizations continue to call for Huy Duc’s immediate release, but with Vietnam’s history of suppressing independent voices, his fate—and that of other journalists—remains uncertain.