Challenges in the work of a US press attaché in Vietnam

The speaker's presentation discussed the principles of a press attaché's work and the challenges of operating within the Vietnamese media environment.

Lisa began her speech by sharing a principle: Journalists must put the public interest first, using principles and verification to gather and evaluate the information they obtain. To do a good job as a press attaché, she first asked herself: who am I working for? “Indirectly, I work for President Obama, directly for Secretary of State John Kerry, further down the line is the US Ambassador, and ultimately, the American people. My job is to ensure that the Vietnamese public understands the priorities of US foreign policy, serving the interests of the American people in general,” Lisa said.

As a press attaché, she contributed to delivering messages—representing the voice of the American people—promoting mutual understanding. To convey these messages, both traditional and non-traditional tools were used. With traditional media, she and her colleagues had extensive relationships with nearly 1,000 journalists in Vietnam and numerous newspapers and news agencies abroad. Non-traditional channels such as Facebook and Twitter were also utilized.

Expressing her views on the qualities and skills necessary for journalists and those working in the field of journalism, Lisa emphasized the paramount importance of honesty and objectivity. This is followed by skills in explanation, writing and speaking, and interviewing. Furthermore, love and passion for the profession must always be accompanied by professional ethical principles.

Lisa stated that freedom of speech is respected in both Vietnam and the United States, as enshrined in the constitutions of both countries. However, the Vietnamese press has different regulations and operating procedures compared to the US, and this needs to be taken into account. Vietnamese journalists, as well as foreign journalists and news agencies, play a crucial role in assisting a press attaché like her in disseminating information.

Lisa shared positive thoughts about the prospects of journalism in Vietnam: “A few years ago, it was very difficult for a press officer from the US Embassy to speak to students. But now it is possible, and I feel fortunate to have this opportunity.” The US and Vietnam have also implemented media cooperation programs: Vietnamese journalists travel to the US to work and learn methods and experiences from their American counterparts. The future of this cooperation is very bright.

Lisa's talk garnered significant interest from Journalism and Communication students. Students also asked the speaker numerous questions on topics such as: how to develop skills in gathering accurate information, the limitations of journalist support activities, and the challenges faced by those working as a U.S. press attaché…?