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Table of Contents

1:0 Introduction ...................................................................................................... 3

2:0 About RED Communication ........................................................................... 4

2:1 Organizational Structure .................................................................. 5

2:2 Images of RED Communication’s Activities: .................................... 5

2:3 Weblinks: ........................................................................................ 5

3:0 RED Communication Profile .......................................................................... 6

3:1 Mission ............................................................................................ 6

3.2 Vision ............................................................................................... 6

3:3 Values and Practices ....................................................................... 6

3:4 RED Communication Staffs ............................................................. 6

4:0 Key Objectives ................................................................................................ 7

5:0 Major Projects ................................................................................................. 8

5:1 Human Right and Democracy Funds of FCO (2012-2013) ................ 8

5:2 Justice Initiative Facilitation Funds (JIFF) (2012-2013) .................. 10

5:3 Human Right and Democracy Funds of FCO (2011-2012) .............. 10

5:4 Other Activities .............................................................................. 13

6:0 Network .......................................................................................................... 14

7:0 Financial Data ............................................................................................... 14

9:0 Contact Details.............................................................................................. 15

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1:0 Introduction Welcome to RED Communication’s Activities Report of 2011-2013.

This report provides an introduction of our small organization and states our aims and objectives; it details our key activities and success throughout 2011-2013 and briefly outlines our financial information.

Our activities report is made available to our partners, donors, supporters and public. With this report, we hope to promote image of RED Communication as well as of its activities to the community and connect with our donors and supporters who facilitate and assist us to carry out our essential and valuable activities.

Our main targets during the period 2011-2013 were to protect media rights, to make best use of media in order to optimize development programs, and to enhance people’s participation in justice reform process.

This period has seen us implement 3 projects with international donors aiming to (i) identifying difficulties and obstructions that Vietnamese journalists and reporters have been facing in their operations for long time, and to assist them in tackling actions obstructing press operations through issuing guidelines, handbooks, training, holding seminars, producing and airing documentary film, and (ii) bringing justice reform to the community through meeting the communication demand of Vietnam CSOs and increasing opportunities for them to participate in justice activities. We have also expanded our network of CSOs participating in justice reform field, nation-wide media, network of key journalists and columnists for policies in the press and media, as well as of social media outlets, and we work closely with them to assess the needs of the community, implement our projects and support their development. We have continued our advocacy campaigns to improve awareness of community, CSOs, journalists and reporters, and we ensure that they themselves are made fully aware of their rights, underpinned by Vietnamese laws. Every day, individuals and organizations contact with us for advice and support in our activity fields.

We hope you will find this report helpful. Should there be any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us – our details can be found on page 14.

Tran Nhat Minh/Mr. Director Center for Research on Development Communication (RED Communication)

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2:0 About RED Communication Name of the Organization: RED Communication (Center for Research on Development Communication) - is the pioneering Vietnamese NGO in development communication in Vietnam; it utilize the power of media & communication to achieve optimal results from development programs and facilitate for their spreading and multiplying. It was formed by a group of journalists and reporters who have extensive experience in the media & communication field and shared the same goal: Strive toward a fair society where legal rights are guaranteed and people’s livelihood improved through improvement of community’s awareness as well as improvement of media environment.

The Center has legal status under the Vietnam Union of Science & Technology Association (VUSTA) in Vietnam on January 28, 2011.

RED Communication consults with government agencies, CSOs and media on the issues and problems in justice reform process and communication environment. The organization also conducts research to gain a better understanding of these issues and problems. Through advancing awareness and creating a support network using newsletters, forums, websites and social media outlets, seminars, etc... as key tools, RED Communication hopes to improve awareness and voice of community through media and promote media rights in order to minimize obstruction for media in its operations.

Since its establishment, RED Communication has been focusing its works on:

1. Communication Activities: Media communication development, inclusive:

Protection of media/press rights.

Advancing development communication. Utilizing of media advantages to optimize development programs, inclusive

Promoting CSO’s voice in media;

Communication promoting participation of the Vietnamese people in building up and implementation of policies.

2. Participation in justice reform activities: “Bringing justice reform to the Community”: Connecting CSOs with media

during justice reform process for communication aiming to spread and multiply effects of their activities.

3. Proposing solutions for communication issues: Conducting researches and surveys on the real operational status of

journalists and reporters in Vietnam and obstruction in their operations; Conducting surveys for critical demand of CSOs’ voice on media; Based on the above researches and surveys, proposing and implementing

solutions for the problems to be solved. 4. Organizing training courses and workshops for CSOs, journalists and reporters

in Vietnam in order to improve their awareness of their voice in media, communication skill, and their rights in media operations;

5. Connecting and cooperating with the Government agencies, INGOs and VNGOs, CSOs;

6. Improving the capacity of staff, volunteers and collaborators, through:

Training courses for policy advocacy, developing projects, finance, media;

Skills training and improving the English ability of our staffs;

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2:1 Organizational Structure

2:2 Images of RED Communication’s Activities:

Lecturing-Skill Training Course

Giving warm clothes and gifts to people in mountainous area

2:3 Weblinks:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/vietnam-country-of-concern/vietnam-country-of-concern

http://vn.linkedin.com/pub/red-communication/63/1b6/71b

http://www.vietnambreakingnews.com/2011/06/two-more-journalists-receive-responsibility-prize/

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3:0 RED Communication Profile RED Communication is still in its development stage. People are the main resource for RED Communication in its effort to become an organization with a good reputation, and make remarkable contributions to the work of educating and improving awareness of laws for the community and improving the voice of CSOs in media, as well as promoting media rights in coming years. The center’s aspiration is to build a team of young people with enthusiasm, strong professional skills and dedication to help reach that goal.

3:1 Mission

RED Communication’s mission is to promote changes in Media Environment and Communication capacity of NGOs and CSOs through identifying problems and offering solutions and communication innovations in order to tackle the problems.

3.2 Vision

To be a powerful organization, actively promoting changes in the media environment, contributing in building a fair society where the rights of people are guaranteed.

3:3 Values and Practices

Acting as a professional organization in providing media consultancy and assistance for

CSOs so that their voice can be heard in the media and as the result, they can develop their organizations;

Acting as a reliable bridge between media and CSOs, between community and justice reform process;

Acting as a responsible and pioneering organization for improvement of media environment and rights in Vietnam;

Our guiding principles: o Devotion o Truthfulness o Creativeness o Brilliance o Transparency o Orientation for social advancements.

3:4 RED Communication Staffs

Mr. Tran Nhat Minh - Journalist, Director

Ms. Pham Thanh Huyen - MBA, Vice Director

Mrs. Do Kien Anh - BA in Foreign languages, Assistant to Director

Ms. Hoang Hue Linh – BA in Foreign Languages, Project Coordinator

Ms. Tran Tam – BA in Journalism, Media Assistant Ms. Nguyen Quynh Giao – BA in Management of Natural Resources, Communication

staff.

Ms. Hoang Thi Thu Ly – BA in Banking and Finance, Accountant.

Ms. Ngo Thi Bich Nhu – Advanced Diploma in Archiving – HR staff

Mr. Nguyen Tat Vinh - BS in IT , IT manager.

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4:0 Key Objectives Developing communication capacity for NGOs, CSOs, and raising awareness of

problems in development as well as of the role of communication in development;

Acting as a bridge between the community and legislators in the justice reform process;

Improving awareness of laws for the community and improving the voice of CSOs in media;

Enhancing the environment for communication activities;

Developing communication capacity for CSOs and media, connecting them together in

order to raise community’s awareness of the social and legislation issues, and proposing solutions;

International cooperation: Establish partnerships and cooperate with INGOs and sponsors in order to raise funds and learn experience for implementation of the programs.

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5:0 Major Projects 5:1 Human Right and Democracy Funds of FCO (2012-2013) (through UK Embassy in Hanoi) Project Name: NGO-led initiative to enhance protection for journalists and to promote media freedom in Vietnam The Project purpose is “Bring together NGOs, the media and government to implement legislations relating to protection of journalists and create a more enabling environment for the media operation in Vietnam”

Background: The provincial authorities (implementation level) have poor capacity and no mechanism to deal with obstruction of journalists, and during the operation, journalists and reporters face many obstructions, this is why RED Communication wants to contribute in reducing these obstructions by enhancing legislation awareness for journalists and reporters and providing access to legal advice and knowledge of how to assert media rights and tackle

with obstructions to them.

Training Course in Dak Lak Province

Training Course in Gia Lai Province

This project builds on the outcomes of the RED Communication’s preceding project supported by the FCO Human Rights and Democracy Fund in 2011. Starting with a research and some pilot activities in 2011, RED Communication has obtained an insightful understanding of the media problems in Vietnam and set up necessary foundation, including government buy-in and contacts at central and provincial levels, to turn the research results into concrete actions in the next phase.

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RED Communication recognized strong needs and opportunities to tackle the above problems through a comprehensive solutions involving different stakeholders, and focusing on implementation at the provincial level. Dak Lak Province (central highland of Vietnam) is selected to pilot this model since it has been identified as one of the most risky areas for journalists to operate. RED Communication’s proposal to the sponsor demonstrates its role to enhance protection for journalists and to promote media freedom in Vietnam through active partnership with State agencies, local organizations and developing a strong network through workshops, training etc. Activities:

Coordinated with Department of Information and Communications (DCI) of Dak Lak

province to produce and promulgate handbook Guiding administrative handling

journalistic practice obstruction cases;

Organized training courses for staff of (DIC), policy-makers, reporters, journalists and

stakeholders in Dak Lak province to raise their awareness and consistent responses to

the journalism obstructions;

Produced and broadcasted the documentary film “Initiative to support the

demonstration of the press” to guide the stakeholders to administrative handling skills

of the journalism obstructions;

Multiplied results of Dak Lak Province to 6 pointed provinces and cities including Yen

Bai, Hai Phong, Quang Binh, Khanh Hoa, Can Tho, Gia Lai with the participation of

more than 20 neighboring provinces, with a total direct participants absorbing about

700 people;

Organized a pilot training for law reporters in Dak Lak Province, at the same time Dak

Lak’s DIC proposed to Department of Justice for applying Guiding administrative

handling to journalistic practice obstruction on training plan of district-level authorities.

Results:

The project activities have achieved all expected results. Besides material products of the

project such as Handbook, Documentary, it also achieved the following:

Dozens of news, articles on national and local mass media surrounding administrative

handling to journalistic practice obstruction; The journalists, reporters and authorities shift from passive handling to proactive

handling of the anti-press acts. The role of provincial departments of media and communications (DICs) and the

provincial association of journalists have been strengthened regarding protection of journalists.

The project activities also have drawn great concerns of the community and media. Hundreds of journalists have been connected to a greater community and to media experts and government officials for sharing of information and dialogues. The project in the second year has drawn great attention of the society and internet coverage on the issues.

Weblinks about the project:

- http://baodaklak.vn/channel/3481/201303/tap-huan-cac-quy-dinh-cua-phap-luat-ve-bao-ve-tac-nghiep-bao-chi-2226824/

- http://bienphong.com.vn/baobienphong/news/tap-huan-ve-bao-ve-quyen-tac-nghiep-bao-chi/18585.bbp

- http://vja.org.vn/vi/detail.php?pid=72&catid=73&id=31724&dhname=Gia-Lai-Tap-huan-ve-bao-ve-quyen-tac-nghiep-bao-chi

- http://baogialai.com.vn/channel/721/201304/bao-ve-quyen-tac-nghiep-bao-chi-cho-doi-ngu-nguoi-lam-bao-2228293/

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5:2 Justice Initiative Facilitation Funds (JIFF) (2012-2013)

(Component III of Justice Partnership Program-JPP)

Project Name: “Communication for Justice Reform”

The project purpose is “Bring justice reform to the community”. It aims to build a connecting communication to bring contents of justice reform strategy to the community and NGOs, as well as to enhance opportunities for Vietnamese NGOs to participate judicial activities in order to have better protection involved in the rights of vulnerable groups and contribute to the realization of the judicial reform strategy and Law on legal aid.

Project Activities and Results:

01 documentary film;

01 handbook guiding judicial reform;

01 workshop “Communication and activities of legal aid for community”;

Articles about the issue;

01 talk show on television involved in judicial reform;

The project has contributed to spread out the content of judicial reform in community.

RED Communication was the sole organization implementing, managing and supervising all project activities. In each activity, RED Communication was responsible for conducting the involvement of partners and reporting as requested by sponsors. All activities including assessment and supervision are transparent, clear and in published documents with agencies and supporters. The Project has been completed successfully and contributed in fostering implementation of justice reform stratergy.

Seminar

“Communication & legislation assistant for people” Through this project, Vietnamese NGOs has gained better knowledge of justice and legislation, as well as skills and guidelines to participate in justice work; they were enabled to connect with relevant justice agencies with more obvious orientation for their operation.

Web links about the project

http://www.noichinh.vn/cong-tac-noi-chinh/201306/hoi-thao-truyen-thong-va-hoat-dong-tro-giup-phap-

ly-cho-nguoi-dan-291552/

http://nguoilambao.vn/chuyen-nghe/50705-truyen-thong-trong-hoat-dong-ho-tro-phap-ly-cho-nguoi-

dan.html

http://phapluatxahoi.vn/2013061909012347p0c1002/trong-hoat-dong-dong-hanh-ho-tro-phap-ly-cho-

nguoi-dan-bao-chi-duoc-danh-gia-tich-cuc-nhat.htm

5:3 Human Right and Democracy Funds of FCO (2011-2012) (through UK Embassy in Hanoi)

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Project Name:

Phase 1: Legitimate exercise against obstruction of journalists in corruption and environment cases in Vietnam

Phase 2: Initiative to tackle obstructions of journalists (resulted from phase 1).

The Project purpose is “Improving the legal framework and mechanisms against obstruction of

journalists in Vietnam”

Background: So far in Vietnam, there was no survey or public discussion on this issue, no written definition of obstruction acts in laws and bylaws, and mostly no training/ workshop for journalists or experience sharing on the matter between them; there was little connection/joint effort between NGOs and state institutions for journalist protection and freedom of expression; and except Association of Journalists (state-funded organization), there was no NGOs working in the area of journalist protection. That is the reason why RED Communication decided to take responsibility to survey, analyze and identify the problems, resulting in its proposal and implementation of solutions for the problems.

Signing Ceremony of Funding Agreement for the Project.

Seminar “Survey Report & Comments

for completion of frame policy for

protection of journalists operations.

Project Activities and Results:

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A large-scaled survey was conducted and almost common acts of obstruction against journalists (focusing on corruption and environment cases) were identified and relevant recommendations were developed. Written definition of acts of obstruction formed.

Policy action points were presented to Ministry of Information and Communication (MIC) and relevant state agencies to feed into the coming Circular on implementation of Decree 02 on Sanctions for Administrative Violations in Journalism and Publishing (Articles 6.2 and 8.1 about obstruction of journalists), and the use of the two hotlines of the Inspectorate of the Vietnam Journalists Association and the Government Inspectorate (for corruption cases)..

300 journalists and representatives of media agencies across the country, including in the 3 most problematic provinces identified in the survey, trained about practical skills to identify and response to acts to obstruct journalists. The Study Report was shared with MIC, and various agencies, and institutions such as WB, UNDP, USaids, DED, the Asia Foundation.

A series of media products (including production of the documentary movie “To Face” that was broadcasted at least 5 times on the national television VTC1 (the television of MIC) in November, and played in all relevant workshops, trainings and events; an expert panel discussion on National television; a press conference; and series of articles) have been launched, leading to increased public awareness and debates on the subject matter.

A handbook for journalists on their rights and practical skills needed to work in challenging circumstances produced and distributed to journalists and media organizations and for future training workshops run by Red Com.

Opportunities to discuss obstruction acts against journalists made available to public, journalists and policy makers through:

o The “Young Journalist Forum” that was set up in January 2012 by training participants, and now operating actively on Facebook.com with over 500 members which will be maintained by RED Communication over the project completion.

o 6 online newspapers with over 72,000 responses. o Interviews of over 500 journalists, press officers, and government officials; o a consultation expert workshop; and various experts meetings (including

policy makers) o a national policy workshop with over a hundred journalists and policy

makers; 5 training workshops with more than 300 participants nationwide; 3 provincial policy workshops at provincial levels

RED has been appreciated as the first NGO that conducts initiatives in protection of media rights.

Web links about the project

- http://vietnamnet.vn/vn/chinh-tri/44058/nhan-dien-12-hanh-vi-can-tro-nha-bao-tac-nghiep.html

- http://congluan.vn/tin-chi-tiet/80/30192/Nhan-dien-12-hanh-vi-can-tro-nha-bao-tac-nghiep-.html

- http://www.baobacgiang.com.vn/PrintPreview/80759/

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5:4 Other Activities

Beside the above two project, in 2013 RED Communication has also studied and built up new programs that will be carried out during period of 2014-2017, they are as follows:

1. Program “Enhancing CSOs’ voice in Vietnam”: The concept of this program derived from RED Communication’s operation in 2011; through discussions with CSOs on justice reform, through performance of communication training courses for CSOs, and through participations of CSOs in such training courses, RED Communication has recognized obvious demand on improvement of Vietnamese CSOs’ voice in media. From this demands, RED studied the causes and proposed the solutions and mechanism to make positive changes in the field. Even though some CSOs in Vietnam had carried out some activities for the issue but they had achieved poor results and had not made any revolutionary changes. The idea of this program has drawn interest of several international sponsors and RED Communication has been developing it into feasible project.

2. In 2013, under an request of IPDC/UNESCO, RED Communication has built the “Initiative to enhance protection of journalists and reporters in Vietnam” Program, of which the proposal was submitted in July 2013 and has been approved with implementation plan in quarter III, 2014.

3. Proposing solutions for “Fostering people’s participation in the policy- implementation process”:

o Background: Vietnam is in the changing process, the necessity for accomplishment of law and policies is quite urgent. In order to have better legal document system, the drafting process as well as the implementation process need to be changed. Besides the assistance of sponsors and government agencies, the social awareness of laws and policies is also very essential.

o Challenge: the community’s interest in laws and policies is still very low; besides, the accessibility of the community and bridging organizations (media and CSOs) is meager.

From the above need and analysis, RED Communication has proposed solutions for creating mechanism and boosting the interest as well as accessibility of the community, media and CSOs to the process of law and policies building and implementation.

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6:0 Network RED Communication has links with JIFF, international and Vietnamese NGOs, media, authorities managing media & communication, experts in press and media field.

RED Communication has partnered with and works well with CSOs participating in the justice reform process, with nation-wide network of media and journalists and law-and-policy columnists, online social networks, etc... As a new organization RED Communication has only a short time to build up experience. However, its founding members have expertise in journalism and long experience in CSOs work, stretching back over 10 years.

RED Communication acts as a bridge between government agencies, NGOs, CSOs, businesses and the community. RED Communication’s network consists of many CSOs and journalists throughout Vietnam. RED Communication has significant PR expertise and close relation with the media, often generating impressive media coverage of key events.

7:0 Financial Data

FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT 2011-2013

9%

83%

8%

2013

Organization Development

Direct Activities

HR

13%

58%

29%

2012

Organization Development

Direct Activities

HR

28%

56%

16%

2011

Organization Development

Direct Activities

HR

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8:0 Monitoring and Evaluation RED Communication focuses on the capacity building and training for its staffs in order to guarantee their good performance in work and monitor the transparency of project implementation. Every year RED Communication has M&E process from Organization Assessment audit; staff assessment; annual meetings; staff meeting and others training activities to ensure RED Communication follow the mission; vision; strategic plan of 2012-2016.

Training and Dialogue of journalists and policy-draft analysts in Hanoi (March 9, 2013)

9:0 Contact Details Center for Research on Development Communication (RED Communication)

48 Trang Thi Street, Hoan Kiem District; Hanoi, Vietnam

Tel/Fax: + 84-4 62631763

Email: center@red.org.vn

Facebook fan page: https://www.facebook.com/redcommunicationfanpage?fref=ts

Web site: http://red.org.vn