Wrapping up: Men moving boxes of equipment that were removed from the VTC Digital Television office in Hanoi. — AFP
At least sixteen state-run TV channels have ceased broadcasting in the country amid a government- wide push to slash bureaucracy, a reform programme that will eventually leave just one national station on air.
Thirteen VTC Digital TV channels, along with VOV TV channel and Nhan Dan TV, stopped broadcasting from yesterday, according to VnExpress. Another channel, National Assembly TV, went off air on Jan 1.
Provincial TV stations continue to operate for now.
The shutdown is part of Vietnam’s biggest overhaul of the state since it adopted pro-market reforms in the 1980s, with officials targeting a roughly 20% reduction in government and the civil service workforce.
But while the overhaul may help cut costs, red tape and the bloated bureaucracy, it will also dramatically curb outlets for information in the nation’s state- controlled media landscape.
Piano music was playing when viewers switched on Nhan Dan TV yesterday morning, while VOV TV had a line of text on screen online to thank people for watching.
Under the plan for broadcasters, Vietnam Television is set to become the only national station available, taking over the functions and tasks of all other state-run TV channels.
Dozens of newspapers, magazines and other publications are also set to be merged by their parent ministries, which will eventually each have just a single news publication apiece, according to a detailed plan posted on the government’s website on Jan 8.
The race to reorganise began in earnest in December after a formal blueprint for reform was unveiled, giving bureaucrats only until the end of the month to submit restructuring reports.
They will be put forward for approval at extraordinary meetings of the Central Committee and the National Assembly next month. — Bloomberg
