National Assembly Chairman receives ASEAN journalists

Hanoi (VNA) – National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung hosted a reception for President of the Confederation of ASEAN Journalists (CAJ) Benny Antiporda and other ASEAN journalists in Hanoi on November 26.

Antiporda, who is also Vice President of the National Press Club of the Philippines, is in Vietnam to attend a ceremony celebrating the 40 th anniversary of CAJ and the 18 th CAJ General Assembly.

The top legislator wished that the CAJ would continue improving its operation and apparatus as well as hold up its position and role in the press area.

Mentioning the historic significance of establishing the ASEAN Community later this year, he expressed hope that CAJ members will maintain their solidarity and friendship, further their role of connecting with and raising mutual understanding among the ASEAN member states via their news coverage.

Antiporda, for his part, hailed the Vietnamese NA and Government for their support to the Vietnam Journalists’ Association (VJA) and journalists in general.

He hoped that the VJA would help develop CAJ into a strong and prestigious press organisation in the region and the world.

From its humble beginning with five founding members on March 1, 1975, the CAJ has grown up strongly, upholding the goal of promoting healthy, free and responsible journalism, increasing mutual understanding among regional member nations for prosperity, equality and peace, and reflecting on ASEAN people’s aspirations and sentiments to the world.

The VJA joined the organisation in 1995, the same year when Vietnam became an ASEAN member. The country is expected to undertake the role of the CAJ Chair following the 18 th CAJ General Assembly.

The CAJ is working hard to admit more journalists’ associations from the 10 ASEAN member states.-VNA