Author name: Nguyen Thi Tuyet Minh
Thesis title:Message about corruption in print media today
Dissertation field: Sociology
Major: Sociology Code: 60 31 30
Name of the postgraduate training unit: University of Social Sciences and Humanities - Vietnam National University, Hanoi.
1. Purpose and research objects of the thesis
Purpose: Applying theoretical foundations and sociological research methods to analyze messages about corruption in current print newspapers, on that basis, proposing and explaining, analyzing the scientific basis of groups of solutions to improve the quality and effectiveness of messages in anti-corruption in current print newspapers.
Subject: Message about corruption
2. Research methods used
Quantitative content analysis method: The study mainly uses the press content analysis method with 3729 selected news articles on corruption. A quantitative coding table was designed to code 3729 news articles on corruption collected in three newspapers Nhan Dan, Tuoi Tre, and Lao Dong from 2005 to 2014.
Qualitative content analysis method: This method is used as a complementary method to analyze news articles about the PMU18 case and all news articles that do not mention specific corruption cases.
3. Main results and conclusions
3.1. Main results
3.1.1. On the content of anti-corruption messages in print media
3.1.1.1. Message about the reality of corruption
Messages about the current state of corruption and anti-corruption are still fragmented, fragmented and mainly depend on data published by competent agencies such as the Government Inspectorate, audit teams, and planned inspection and supervision work. They focus heavily on reflecting corruption cases and acts and focus lightly on all other areas.
Data on the current state of corruption in newspapers are all clearly cited from the authorities. This is a very good indicator of the reliability of the message, and also shows that newspapers have performed well in reporting on anti-corruption. However, it shows that the role of the press in fighting corruption, participating in detecting and exposing cases... is still unclear.
3.1.1.2. Message on the current situation of anti-corruption
Most of the news articles mention cases and acts of corruption at the time of prosecution, arrest/arrest warrant but not yet tried. If considering the time of discovery and before arrest, the news accounts for 2/3 and the later times of trial, sentencing and appeal only account for about 1/3 of the news articles.
Whistleblowers and the reward and protection of whistleblowers were discussed, however, the excitement only occurred during the discussion of the Anti-Corruption Law. In the news articles that discussed this issue, they mainly mentioned the shortcomings, difficulties and challenges for whistleblowers. In general, there was no positive message to encourage whistleblowers.
3.1.1.3. Message about the causes of corruption
The causes of corruption are all mentioned in the news, however, focusing too much on the group of causes related to ethics is not the most effective direction in anti-corruption communication.
The typology of writing about corruption with seemingly definite but indefinite subjects, the effect is to make the message not wrong and create a safe corridor for the writer, but that is not an effective anti-corruption message.
3.1.1.4. Message about the consequences of corruption
The picture of the consequences of corruption created by the media is truly unpredictable. The consequences or assumptions about the consequences, such as the biggest threat to the survival of the regime, loss of people's trust in the Party and the State; potential conflicts of interest, social protests, increasing the gap between rich and poor, creating a situation where words do not match actions, creating interest groups (in a negative way) ... are all mentioned in the news articles. Among them, the consequence of reducing people's trust in the leadership of the Party and the management of the State accounts for the highest proportion.
The biggest consequence of corruption is that it hinders social development, creates social inequality and is one of the root causes of social conflicts. The message about the consequences of corruption mainly refers to the loss of people's trust, followed by the waste of resources. Other consequences are not mentioned much.
3.1.1.5. Message on anti-corruption solutions
The analysis results show that the anti-corruption solutions mentioned in the Anti-Corruption Law are mostly reflected in news articles that mention anti-corruption solutions. However, when comparing the proportion of news articles on anti-corruption solutions with other topics such as the current state of corruption, anti-corruption or messages about the causes and consequences of corruption, the proportion of news articles on solutions is the lowest. This probably shows that the press is not really strong in this issue.
News articles mentioning anti-corruption solutions are mainly published during discussions on the law on anti-corruption and the National Assembly session. Accordingly, the anti-corruption solutions mentioned also demonstrate political determination in anti-corruption. However, if we consider the opinions of the parties in the anti-corruption solutions, they are mainly from the top down, that is the opinions of central leaders and ministries, while the opinions of other social classes are still few. This issue may create the feeling that anti-corruption is the work of leaders and the public will not see themselves playing an active role in this effort.
3.1.2. Issues raised about message format
3.1.2.1. On the frequency of posting news about corruption
Anti-corruption journalism is still a hot topic in the political, economic and social life in Vietnam. The press continues to be a channel to reflect the “breath” of life on the anti-corruption front. However, depending on the viewpoint of the “gatekeeper” and the political determination of the Party and the State, the story will be reflected in the press differently.
The frequency of publishing news articles about corruption is generally high, however, each story at each time is different and clearly shows the nature of the press's orientation of public opinion. News articles about corruption are currently mainly reported "seasonally", especially on the occasions of major events of the country such as before congresses (where corruption issues are put on the agenda); before Party resolutions on anti-corruption or related issues; especially National Assembly sessions where corruption issues are discussed.
3.1.2.2. About the column posting news about corruption
The analysis results show that half of the news articles about corruption are placed in the news section, showing that corruption is considered a hot issue, of a topical nature. Although the news articles discussing issues surrounding the Anti-Corruption Law account for a fairly high proportion, and especially the acts of corruption and corruption cases that violate the law, even such news articles are not placed in the law section. This shows that news articles related to corruption have gone beyond the framework of news articles about the law.
In the context that anti-corruption is still a difficult problem that needs to be solved immediately, long-term, and synchronously, having a column and a page on anti-corruption is necessary and in fact, up to the time of the survey, all three newspapers have it. However, there are still significant differences between the three newspapers in terms of the columns and pages that publish news about corruption.
3.1.2.3. About the type of corruption news articles published
The results of the analysis of news articles on corruption show that messages about corruption are expressed in a variety of forms and genres. Almost all types of journalism genres are used to express messages about corruption.
However, the news media genre, in which news is the majority. In this aspect, it can be seen that the three newspapers have performed their role very well in the fight against corruption, which is to bring to the public a huge amount of news about anti-corruption. However, the role of the press in anti-corruption is not only to inform the public about the messages about acts or incidents that reflect the reality of anti-corruption, but the press also performs the function of education - providing information about the Party and State's policies, guidelines, and laws on anti-corruption. And not only stopping at education - providing information, the press also performs the function of orienting public opinion, meaning that the press is also a forum for all classes to express their will, aspirations, thoughts, knowledge... about anti-corruption. Currently, the proportion of news articles in the political press genre is still very low, so it is difficult to promote its strengths as a forum.
3.1.2.4. On the field of corruption published
Most corruption news stories deal with specific issues or areas, which is fine. However, if you focus too much on specific cases and areas and forget or underestimate the overall picture of anti-corruption, it may not be effective in anti-corruption communication.
Some areas appear more frequently than others such as transportation, land, construction, trade - finance - banking... However, there are areas of corruption that are rarely mentioned such as political corruption, power corruption, policy corruption.
The way the news is organized, the news is nurtured by cases and corruption issues at TT Newspaper is professional and the article lines are relatively well organized. This shows the initiative of the newspaper, the teams follow the topic of corruption, not just reporting or re-reporting.
3.1.2.5. Message about the level and scope of corruption
The analysis results show that if we consider the domestic and international scope, the news articles on corruption in the three newspapers mainly reflect domestic corruption, the rate of news articles mentioning corruption in other countries and internationally is still quite low, especially in the Labor Newspaper. Therefore, the story of corruption, the anti-corruption experience of other countries in the world, especially countries recognized for good control of the situation, is the information that needs to be exploited so that the message about anti-corruption is conveyed in a more multi-dimensional and multi-faceted way. Paying more attention and providing more information about the anti-corruption situation in neighboring, influential and like-minded countries such as China and Russia is also important, but adding other countries, especially the anti-corruption situation of international organizations to convey the message to the public to see the global anti-corruption picture is also necessary. Because, it is necessary to create a message that corruption is not only a problem in Vietnam, and many developed countries have controlled the situation very well, showing that the management mechanism is very important, not because Vietnamese people are "ugly", "greedy", "morally depraved"... that corruption is so serious and widespread. In addition, when transmitting the anti-corruption message in other countries (for example, China) as it is now, it is easy to create a biased view of anti-corruption in those countries or easily create the feeling that "their" country fights fiercely and successfully while "our" country only "talks" but does not act or does it ineffectively.
If we consider the regional scope, the analysis results show a rather biased picture, as the large and small cases are all concentrated in the Red River Delta (Hanoi); the Southeast (HCMC) and thirdly, the Mekong Delta (Can Tho). On the contrary, other regions are being “ignored” or “forgotten” or “ignored” or “without corruption” or “not interested in PCTN” ... in the press.
Similarly, the scope of the rural-urban cross-section also shows the same thing. It seems that the problem of corruption is constructed by the media only in urban areas, big cities with big corruption cases. On the contrary, the countryside is mentioned very little, this bias also easily causes prejudices about corruption only happening in urban areas and the countryside is "immune", corruption is labeled as bad behavior, moral degradation, greed, selfishness... that is urban people, but not in the countryside.
The scope of corruption at the administrative level is also worth discussing. The analysis results show that the corruption issues/behaviors/incidents are mainly reproduced in the media messages at the provincial level and equivalent. Focusing too much on reporting on cases at the provincial level and equivalent has invisibly ignored, neglected, and neglected the remaining levels from the village level to the ward level, to the district level to the central level and equivalent. In particular, TT Newspaper leads in the proportion of articles mentioning corruption at the central level and equivalent, but ND Newspaper accounts for a higher proportion than the other two newspapers when focusing more on the ward level, district level and equivalent.
3.2. Conclusion
1. The press - a social institution known as the fourth power - plays an extremely important role in the fight against corruption. To promote the role and effectiveness of the press in the fight against corruption, issues of press freedom, freedom of speech, the independent role of the press institution in parallel with an independent, transparent, and strict judicial system... are keywords that need attention.
2.Message is the content of information exchanged from the source to the receiver and is one of the basic elements of the communication process. In which,tprint mediacan convey diverse, rich, in-depth information... received by the public through visuals combined with logic, depth of argumentation and empirical evidence. As a particularly dangerous behavior, corruption harms interests and threatens the sustainable development of nations. As one of the elements of anti-corruption communication, corruption messages in print media refer to corruption from many aspects. Research on communication messages about corruption aims to provide necessary information to media audiences and play a leading role in public opinion in the fight against corruption.
3.In Vietnam, corruption is an issue of concern to the whole society. The press has actively reported on the Party and State's policies and guidelines on anti-corruption; on cases, detection and handling of corruption, and positive factors in anti-corruption. However, the number of articles on the work situation, content and solutions to prevent corruption is still small compared to the articles on cases..Corruption originates from objective and subjective causes. The message of anti-corruption solutions includes solutions to prevent corruption (which is considered important); solutions to detect corruption; handling people with corrupt behavior, other illegal acts and corrupt assets (in addition, other solutions may be mentioned). However, it is important togThe proposed legislative solution must aim at regulating the acts of exercising public power and checking and supervising power.
4. The survey results on Nhan Dan, Lao Dong and Tuoi Tre newspapers show that: The press has clearly demonstrated its function of orienting public opinion through the number of articles reflecting on corruption and the content and frequency of the articles. Although there are significant differences between newspapers, corruption and the state of corruption are considered current issues in the Vietnamese press forum. When reflecting on corruption, the rate of news media genres is mainly used, followed by political journalism and "Letters from Readers". There are 10 agencies/sectors that are perceived to have the most common corruption and 12 specific areas of corruption. The articles all reflect on anti-corruption or corruption cases in Vietnam, which commonly occur at the village/commune/ward level to the central level. The press also reports on anti-corruption in the country, mainly concentrated in urban areas, in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.
5. The Party and State of Vietnam have proposed and implemented many positive policies and solutions to combat corruption and have been institutionalized into laws. In response to the current requirements of the fight against corruption, it is necessary to accelerate the development, supplementation and improvement of mechanisms, policies and laws, and overcome loopholes in socio-economic management and anti-corruption. Investigative journalism against corruption needs to be brought to a new level in both professional and legal environments so that the press can further promote its role and effectiveness in the fight against corruption. Therefore, it is necessary to strongly innovate the work of leadership, management, direction and operation to improve the Party's leadership capacity and the effectiveness of State management over the press. Research and complete the legal corridor, strengthen coordination and support, create favorable conditions for journalists to work, and have a mechanism to respond positively and effectively to issues reported by the press. To fulfill the assigned mission and responsibility, press agencies/journalists also uphold social responsibility, maintain integrity, improve professional qualifications, expertise, political courage, and moral qualities in the fight against corruption. Through the survey, the thesis also provides recommendations and solutions to effectively promote messages about corruption in print media in specific aspects.
SUMMARY OF DOCTORAL THESIS
The author's name:Nguyen Thi Tuyet Minh
Thesis title:Messages of Corruption in the Print in Vietnam Today
Scientific branch of the thesis: Sociology
Major: Sociology Code: 60 31 30
The name of postgraduate training institution: University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Hanoi National University
Purpose: It aims to apply theoretical foundations and research methodologies to analyze messages on corruption in print today, on the basis of which imply and interpret, analyze the scientific basis of the solutions in the service of enhancement of the quality, effectiveness of the anti-corruption messages in the print today
Subject:Messages of Corruption
2. Research methods
Quantitative content analysis: The study mainly uses the method of content analysis of 3,729 selected print pieces of news and articles on corruption. A quantitative code set was used to encrypt 3,729 pieces of news and articles about corruption from the print versions of the People's, the Youth, and Labor newspapers from 2005 to 2014.
Qualitative content analysis: This method was used as a complementary method, analyzing news and articles on the PMU18 case and all news and articles not referring to specific corruption cases.
3. Major results and conclusions
3.1.The major results
3.1.1. About the content of the corruption messages in the newspaper
3.1.1.1. Messages on the status of corruption
The message about corruption and anti-corruption is still insignificant and fragmented and mainly depends on data from functional agencies such as the Prime Minister, auditing delegations, and monitoring work as planned. The chief focus was about description of the incident and corrupt behavior while having left out almost all of other areas.
The official sources of data on the state of corruption in the newspapers are clearly specified. This is a very good indication of the credibility of the message, which also shows that newspapers have done well as far as the responsibility of anti-corruption coverage is concerned. However, it also shows that the role of the press in the fight against corruption, eg detecting, exposing the incident ... are still indistinct.
3.1.1.2. Messages on anti-corruption situation
Most of the articles refer to cases and acts of corruption at the time of prosecution, arrest / arrest but not trial. If only considered at the time of discovery, not arrested, they account for about two-thirds of the total articles, and for the subsequent times, including the judicial process, the sentence and the appeals process, they account for about a third of the news and articles.
Whistleblowers and accusers were mentioned, however, the enthusiasm was observed only at the time of discussing the Law of Anti-Corruption. In the coverage of this issue, the main concerns were the inadequacies and the difficulties with the denouncers. In general, there were no positive messages motivating whistleblowers.
3.1.1.3. Messages on the causes of corruption
The causes of corruption were mentioned in the stories, however, focusing too much on ethical causes is not the most effective path in anti-corruption communication.
The usage of definite-cum-indefinite subjects is effective in the sense that it could make the message legitimate while creating a safe corridor for the writer. However, it is not usefule anti-corruption messages.
3.1.1.4. Messages on the consequences of corruption
The picture of the consequences of corruption created by the media is immeasurable. The consequences or assumptions about the consequences as the biggest is threatening the survival of the regime, distrust of the people into the party, the state; Social conflicts, widening the gap between the rich and the poor, creating a situation of speech that does not go hand in hand with employment, creating interest groups (negatively) ... are mentioned in news stories. In particular, the decline in the confidence of the people in the leadership of the Party and state management has the highest percentage.
The greatest reported result of corruption was the retrogression of social development, which created social inequality and was one of the most profound causes of social conflict. The messages addressing the consequences of corruption mainly were about the decline of the people's trust, which was followed by the waste of resources. Other consequences were not mentioned much.
3.1.1.5. Messages on the solutions to corruption prevention
The analysis shows that the anti-corruption measures outlined in the Law of Corruption Prevention are mostly reflected in the related articles. However, compared with other topics such as corruption, anti-corruption, or message of cause, the percentage of the news and articles about anti-corruption solutions accounts for the lowest percentage.
News coverage of anti-corruption measures was mainly organized around special occasions such as anti-corruption law discussion and parliamentary sessions. evolved, the proposed anti-corruption measures demonstrate the political will in the fight against corruption.
However, if the opinion providers in the anti-corruption solutions are taken into consideration, it was mainly the voice from the top, which is the opinion of the central leaders, the ministries, the opinion of Other social classes are few. This issue could create a sense of anti-corruption that leaders and the public will not see themselves playing an active role in this.
However, if the opinion providers are taken into consideration, it was mainly the voice from the top such as the central leaders, the ministries, however, the opinion of the other social classes was fewer. This issue could create a sense that anti-corruption was just leaders' responsibility while the public did not see themselves playing an active role in this.
3.1.2. Issues relating to the message format
3.1.2.1. About the frequency of the articles
The anti-corruption is still a hot topic in Vietnam's socio-economic and political life, and the press continues to reflect the "breath" of life on the level of anti-corruption. However, depending on the views of the "gate keeper" and the political will of the Party and State, the story conveyed in the press is different.
Frequency of postings on corruption is generally high, however, each story was different and clearly reflective of the media's direction of public opinion.
Current corruption reports are mainly "seasonal", especially on the occasion of major events in the country as before the congresses (where corruption was put on the table). the); in line with the Party's resolutions on anti-corruption or related issues; In particular, parliamentary sessions where corruption is discussed.
3.1.2.2. About the column of postings
Analysis shows that ½ of corruption reports were in the news category, suggesting corruption was a hot and topical issue. Although the coverage of the anti-corruption law is relatively high, especially corruption behaviours, the corruption case was primarily a violation of law, but even such reports were not included in the legal section. This suggests that corruption-related stories have gone beyond the legal framework.
In the context of anti-corruption still a problem, which should be resolved in the short-term and long-term and in a synchronized way, there is a section, specialized pages on anti-corruption is necessary and practical, indeed at the time of our survey, all three newspapers have already had. There are, however, significant differences between the three selected print media regarding this specialized column.
3.1.2.3. About the formats of corruption stories published
Research findings show that the formats are diverse. However, news account for the majority. In this respect, it is possible to see that the three newspapers that have performed very well in their role in the fight against corruption by giving the public a huge amount of anti-corruption news.
However, the role of the press in the anti-corruption movement is not only to inform the public about messages or behaviors presenting anti-corruption status, but also to provide information and education of legislation, directions and policies of the Party and State on anti-corruption.
The media also perform the function of shaping the public opinion, meaning that the media is also a forum for the populace to express their will, aspirations, thoughts, knowledge about anti-corruption. At present, news features of the mainstream media also account for a very low proportion, so it is difficult to develop strengths of the function acting as forums.
3.1.2.4. About the aspects of corruption
Most corruption stories deal with specific issues, which are not bad. However, focusing too much on specific cases and areas while forgetting or neglecting the whole picture of anti-corruption, it is unlikely that it will actually produce effective anti-corruption communication.
Some aspects were more frequently addressed than others, such as transportation, land, construction, trade - finance - banking ... However, there were few areas of corruption that were rarely mentioned. such as political corruption, corruption of power, corruption of policy. The organization of the news, raising the news and the problem of corruption in the TT Newspaper proves to be professional and indeed taken together the ability to organize a good story line. This demonstrates the activity of the newspaper, not just reporting.
3.2. Conclusion
1. Journalism - a social institution known as the fourth power, plays a very important role in the fight against corruption. To promote the role and efficiency of the press in anti-corruption, the issues of freedom of the press, freedom of speech, the independent role of the press institution in parallel with the independent judicial system, Strictly ... are keywords that need attention.
2. The printed message can convey diverse information, rich, deep information ... is received by the public through visual sense in combination with the logic, the depth of the art of argument and empirical evidence.
As one of the elements of anti-corruption media, the corruption message in print refers to corruption in many ways. To study the message of corruption in order to provide the necessary information for the media and to play the leading role in shaping public opinion regarding anti-corruption.
3.In Vietnam, corruption is a matter for which the whole society cares. The media has actively reported on the policies and guidelines of the Party and State on anti-corruption; about incidents, detecting and handling corruption, active elements in anti-corruption.
However, the number of news stories, the content and the solutions to prevent corruption are few compared to the stories about the cases. Corruption is rooted in objective and subjective causes.
The anti-corruption solution message includes measures to prevent corruption (valued); solutions to detect corruption; dealing with corrupt persons, other legal violation acts and corrupt assets (in addition to other possible solutions). However, it is important that the proposed legislative resolution is aimed at regulating public power enforcement practices and monitoring and supervision of power.
4. Research findings show that the press clearly demonstrates the function of directing public opinion through the number of articles related to corruption and the content and frequency of news coverage. Although there are significant differences between the newspapers, corruption and the current state of corruption is considered as a topical issue in Vietnam's press forum.
When it comes to corruption, the percentage of media types used is mostly used, followed by political journalism and "readers letters". There are 10 agencies which were perceived as having the most common corruption and there are 12 specific corruption cases. The stories reflect anti-corruption or corruption cases in Vietnam, which were common at village/commune/ward levels to the central level. The press also reported on corruption in the country, focusing mainly in urban areas, in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.
5. The Party and the State of Vietnam have and implemented a number of aggressive solutions and have been institutionalized developed in law. At the request of the current anti-corruption struggle, it is necessary to accelerate the formulation, supplementation and improvement of mechanisms, policies and laws and overcome loopholes in socio-economic and anti-corruption management. The anti-corruption journalism should be put on a new ground in both the legal profession and environment so that the press can further promote the role and effectiveness of anti-corruption.
Therefore, the leadership, management, direction and administration should be strengthened to improve the leadership capacity of the Party and the effect of state management on the press. Research is needed to improve the legal framework, strengthen coordination and support, create favorable conditions for journalists reflect to work, to have a positive feedback mechanism and effectively the press issues. In order to fulfill the mission, the authorities and the press agencies should raise the social responsibility, maintain the integrity, improve professional qualifications, professional skills, political virtues and ethics in the fight against corruption. Also through the survey, the thesis offers recommendations and solutions to effectively promote the message on corruption in print on specific aspects.
Author:ussh
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