PM calls for updated, responsible, well-rounded news delivery            

Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone, who is a Politburo member of the Party Central Committee, has urged mass media entities to modernise and improve their response to developing situations and events, while also ensuring that newspapers are distributed to all provinces and Party and state administrative units in a timely manner, alongside a shift to digital platforms.

Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone writes a comment in the visitors’ book at the Vientiane Times exhibition booth at the National Culture Hall on Tuesday.

The Prime Minister was speaking at an event to mark the 75th anniversary of Mass Media and Publishing Day, which took place at the National Culture Hall in Vientiane on Tuesday.
During the event, the Prime Minister visited the Vientiane Times newspaper booth, where he wrote in the visitors’ book. His message read “On behalf of the government, I would like to express my appreciation for the achievements and contributions of the Lao media and publishing industry, especially the Vientiane Times, which has been developing steadily.”
In his speech, Dr Sonexay stressed the need to set up printing houses in the provinces, at least one in each region, to ensure print publications reach local areas more quickly.
He also called for improved printing and distribution facilities, as well as a stronger focus on online news delivery.
The Prime Minister advised journalists and editors to provide local communities with complete and timely information, with rich and diverse content.
Media organisations should actively counter disinformation spread by hostile groups, serve as a bridge between the government and the people, and improve their infrastructure and legal frameworks to establish regulations and measures around information security, and protect national stability, he added.
The head of government underlined the importance of upgrading internet systems from the central to local levels, and equipping media units with modern technology to enable fast, convenient and reliable news transmission.
The Prime Minister also called for stronger mechanisms to protect and improve the efficiency of media operations, along with better quality content in newspapers, radio and television.
He urged continued training and capacity building for editors, journalists and technical staff, both in terms of numbers and professional competence.
Over the past 75 years, the media industry has grown steadily, playing an ever-present role in the country’s development, starting with the struggle for national liberation and then supporting Laos’ growth as a sovereign nation and its journey on the path to prosperity.
The importance of the media and news delivery are commemorated every year on August 13, which marks the establishment of the country’s first newspaper, Lao Issara (the Lao Freedom newspaper), by the Lao Issara Front during its first congress on August 13, 1950. This date is now celebrated as Lao Media and Publishing Day.

By Siladda Suliyong
(Latest Update August 13 , 2025)