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Vietnam’s ruling Communist Party is planning a significant revamp of its propaganda strategy to better navigate the complexities of the digital age, according to internal documents obtained by Reuters. The draft strategy, aimed at bolstering the Party’s online influence and ideological authority, involves incorporating social media influencers, artificial intelligence experts, podcasts, and short-form video content into its propaganda arsenal.
According to the reviewed documents, the draft strategy seeks to establish a network of at least 1,000 social media influencers and 5,000 AI specialists by 2030. These individuals will be tasked with creating and disseminating “positive” content, as designated by the Party, to counter what authorities describe as “harmful” or “false” information. The proposed network would significantly boost the Party’s online presence, enabling it to more effectively shape public opinion and maintain ideological control.
The draft strategy also emphasizes the role of AI systems in enforcing online censorship. It calls for Vietnamese technology companies to develop AI-powered tools capable of monitoring online discussions and deleting at least 90% of the content deemed in breach of Party guidelines within a 24-hour timeframe. This approach raises concerns about the potential erosion of freedom of speech and the Party’s growing reliance on technology to suppress dissent.
The goal of achieving an 80% positivity rate for Vietnamese-language online content by 2030 is another key objective outlined in the draft strategy. While the Party aims to promote “positive” content, it remains unclear how this will be defined or measured. However, critics warn that such endeavors could ultimately serve to reinforce the Party’s ideological monopoly and quash dissenting voices.
Vietnam has faced mounting pressure from the international community to improve its human rights record, particularly with regards to freedom of expression and association. The country’s authoritarian government has long been accused of suppressing dissent and restricting online freedoms. The Party’s decision to incorporate social media influencers and AI-powered censorship into its propaganda strategy may be seen as an attempt to mitigate these criticisms and better navigate the increasingly complex online landscape.
The proposed overhaul of Vietnam’s propaganda strategy underscores the Party’s growing recognition of the importance of digital media in shaping public opinion. As the country continues to develop its technological capabilities, it remains to be seen how the Party will balance its pursuit of ideological control with the evolving demands of a rapidly changing online environment.