Vietnamese journalists shared experiences and learned from international colleagues at a two-day conference on freedom of the press and journalistic responsibility which opened in Malaysia on January 28.

The conference, hosted by the Malaysian government under the auspices of the United Nations Education, Science and Culture Organisation (UNESCO), drew the participation of journalists from Vietnam , Cambodia , Brunei , Azerbaijan , India , Iran , Nigeria , Pakistan , Sri Lanka , Sudan , Venezuela and the host country.

The conference aims to help journalists learn about laws relating to their profession and become more aware of the complexity and sensitiveness of social issues as well as their responsibility to the public who require the truth and accuracy from reporters.

At the conference, the participants discussed many issues including the concept of freedom of the press, competition in the media sector, journalism and the law and new types of media, among other topics.

They agreed that freedom of expression is an important human right, and that everyone has the right to express their own opinion. However, journalists should be sensitive as to whether or not it’s the right time to tell the truth, in accordance with each nation’s interests./.