Where as:

- Since its inception, the Media - including the press, radio, and television broadcast - has ever expanding its role in enriching the human mind. Most of all, the Media has helped disseminating the ideals of freedom, democracy, and human rights around the world. With that contribution, the Media deserves to be called "The Fourth Power".

- In democratic countries, the Media, as a whole, is independent of the government and not controlled by any other political power. It is the measuring stick of people's trust and support of the government. It also monitors and discloses abuses of power, social injustice, and crimes violated by anyone, including the government. The Media is, indeed, the protector of people's interests.

- In totalitarian countries, particularly ones under communism, the Media is severely restricted and tightly controlled. It is but the authorities' tools of propaganda. As a result, citizens in these countries gradually lose their ability to absorb new information or cope effectively with new development around the world. Vietnam is among the countries in such condition.

- The authorities of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam not only monopolize every area and level of the Media - including radio, television, newspapers, and access to the Internet, but also arbitrarily arrest and terrorize anyone who dares voice opinions other than the official views. Hanoi is clearly violating Article 19 of the United Nations' Universal Declaration of Human Rights regarding Freedom of Expression.

- In this Era of Information and Globalization, the Media holds a crucial role in fighting against injustice, setting foundation for democracy, and raising people's knowledge and awareness of the national matters. The Media in Vietnam must urgently regain these capabilities to help stop the current downward spiraling and mobilize everyone to the rebuilding of the nation. More than ever before, the struggle to break the current State's monopoly on the Media and to start a movement for freedom of expression in Vietnam is an urgent and critical step in the democratization process of this country.

Therefore, we, the free Vietnamese journalists,

1. Strongly condemn the suppression and terrorization carried out by the Hanoi authorities on people who peacefully called for freedom, democracy, social justice, and respect for human rights in Vietnam, like Prof. Doan Viet Hoat, Dr. Nguyen Dan Que, Journalist Nguyen Hoai Linh, Scientist Ha Si Phu, Dr. Nguyen Thanh Giang, and others.

2. Call the free Vietnamese journalists around the world to make their voices heard in demanding Hanoi end its iron grip on the domestic Media and allow the existence of independent news organizations.

3. Call on the communist government in Vietnam to end its blocking of information, censorship of published news, and restricting traffic to the Internet. As a first step, the authorities in Hanoi must allow writing materials to be read freely by the people to improve their knowledge in all areas.

4. Wholeheartedly support voices from inside Vietnam asking for freedom of expression, the movement of underground press, and the use of the Internet to channel information into Vietnam.

5. Call on PEN International, Reporters Without Borders, and other international journalists associations and press clubs to make known to the world the current severe violation of the freedom of the press and freedom of expression in Vietnam. Together, we can pressure Hanoi to respect all the articles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights they have signed.

August, 02, 1998
Orange County, California - USA
(List of signatures of members of the Vietnamese media)