Danlambao - During recent interviews after his release from prison and safe arrival in America, when asked about his future plans, blogger Dieu Cay mentioned the need to connect multiple media at home and abroad. This indeed is a necessity, contributing to enhance the power of citizen journalism, which illuminates the darker side of society, the unspoken reality- a consequence caused by stifled information- as well as bringing the truth to the people that often is distorted by the government's propaganda and its control of media. The most important factor that would lead to the success of multiple media connection is the true independence of each media outlet; that it does not serve as the means of any political party, nor is influenced by any political forces.
In recent years, we've seen the continuous growth of social media networks. This progressive development comes from multiple diversities of independent blogs. From individual bloggers to organized entities such as the Free Journalist Network (aka the Free Journalist Club), and Danlambao in Vietnam, or larger media enterprise abroad such as SBTN..., they all share one common characteristic: independent and non-partisan.
Because of this independence they are able to serve only their intended targets: the readers or spectators; and their media contents are not dominated, influenced by any political party's objectives. They are not the mouthpiece of any one party to serve that party's political goals.
Because of this independence social media networks could obtain their pluralism. Their pluralistic character is reflected in each independent blog through various posts, comments that come from different viewpoints without being constrained to follow a certain direction.
Because of this independence that information could be more transparent, news could be disseminated without being censored through different "funnels" to please or conform to any political party's guidelines or any organization's directions.
Moreover, independence and non-partisanship are also fundamental elements necessary for efforts to coordinate and to connect multiple media. Once there is influence exerted by a dominant party, all connections will no longer be such among independent media but rather connections that are based on political calculations to serve the party's political needs.
In that spirit, Danlambao shall continue to remain true to its media mission and its principles of independence and non-partisanship, and to participate and march alongside with all like-minded bloggers and independent media groups so that together we contribute to the advancement of the people's social networks.
On this occasion, Danlambao also would like to wish blogger Dieu Cay and his Free Journalists' Network much success in their objective to connect multiple media. In our role and position of an independent media outlet, Danlambao will strive to contribute to the strengthening of the power of citizen journalism.
