How do private corporations influence freedom of expression? The case study of private corporations and online censorship in Vietnam

Abstract

This is a thesis about how private corporations in Vietnam influence the situation of the right to freedom of expression in the country. The aim of the research was to investigate how private companies in Vietnam handle their criticisms in cyberspace. Drawing on the old and new theory of censorship, the research hypothesized that both the state’s and the social media platform’s actions are parallel with the old and the new theory of censorship in blocking information unfavorable of private corporations. In order to collect necessary data, online ethnographic method and semi-structured interview were used for the research. 5 stories published on Facebook were presented in the thesis and 6 people were interviewed via the Internet.

The research provides evidence that the government has taken actions to repress opinions against private corporations in Vietnam and, at the same time, social media’s policies have been misused to censor these opinions. In particular, Facebook users are threatened by the police to stop criticizing private companies and their accounts are attacked and suspended in the name of community standards violations. Furthermore, online newspapers are also subject to censorship by private corporations. The research suggests further studies on the relationship between censorship and other human rights, in addition to the right to freedom of expression.