Establishing a network of journalists and reporters to protect endangered wildlife

The Vietnam Agriculture Newspaper, the Management Board of Forestry Projects under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development in collaboration with the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) and TRAFFIC International held a signing ceremony for cooperation in implementing activities under the “Saving Threatened Wildlife” Project, approved by MARD and USAID. The project aims to strengthen Vietnam's leadership in combating illegal wildlife trafficking.

The “Saving Threatened Wildlife” Project primarily focuses on consolidating, expanding and developing the network of investigative reporters on wildlife crimes, as well as promoting the efforts of the public and private sectors in the fight against wildlife trade; namely, detecting and reporting on wildlife crimes.

Upon joining the network of wildlife crimes investigation, journalists and reporters will receive training and support from organizations and experts with extensive knowledge and experience in investigating illegal behaviors of wildlife hunting, trading, transporting and consumption, with emphasis on endangered wildlife.

Subsequently, the project aims to raise awareness and reinforce capacity for journalists and reporters in the agricultural sector with regards to the legal framework and policies on wildlife conservation, as well as improve their skills in investigating, writing report articles, participating in detecting and following up on the handling of wildlife violations in order to mobilize the support and commitment of central and local leaders across all levels, addressing the issue of illegal wildlife trade and consumption.

Additionally, the project will honor organizations and individuals with achievements in attracting public attention to wildlife criminal cases by holding various annual journalism award ceremonies.

Stakeholders will coordinate in publishing articles, topics or relevant publications, with the aim of providing information to support the behavior change communication campaign within the framework of the project, as well as promoting the message of "No to trading, passive consumption of illegal wildlife products”.

Mr. Nguyen Ngoc Thach, Editor-in-Chief of Vietnam Agriculture Newspaper emphasized at the ceremony that Vietnam Agriculture Newspaper has always been a pioneer in sustainable development and ensuring biodiversity. Furthermore, Vietnam Agriculture Newspaper remains proactive and responsible in promoting and communicating about preventing the trade and consumption of wildlife products.

“This signing ceremony is a motivation for the Vietnam Agriculture Newspaper as well as international organizations and media agencies to take more practical, detailed and effective actions towards the common goal. In addition to social responsibility, the media is the most useful and effective weapon to influence, raise awareness, and solve the issueof illegal wildlife trade", remarked Mr. Nguyen Ngoc Thach.

Mr. Crawford Allan, Senior Director of the Environmental Crime Prevention Program under WWF/TRAFFIC, said that in the context of rapidly developing information technology, the media will be a powerful weapon in preventing illegal wildlife trade. On the other hand, Mr. Crawford Allan also expressed his belief that the signing ceremony will open up detailed and effective plans, actions towards wildlife protection in Vietnam in the future.

During the signing ceremony, Mr. Do Quang Tung, Acting Head of the Forestry Project Management Board, Director of the Central Management Board of the Endangered Wildlife Project, highly commended the Vietnam Agriculture Newspaper and its role in communication and promoting to the public in order to raise people's awareness regarding biodiversity conservation and more specifically, the prevention of wildlife products trading and consumption.