30 Years, One column, Millions of opinions

For three decades (1996-2026), Streetwise has been more than just the most widely read column in the Vientiane Times. It has served as a platform for the voices of the people and the newspaper’s readers, a mirror of public opinion, and a witness to the changes of the times, leaving an enduring legacy in the memories of generations of readers.

How can the media improve?

The National Media Congress is taking place to discuss the challenges facing journalists and Party and State leaders, mainly as a result of the spread of social media and uncontrolled online citizen reporting. The Vientiane Times went along to the congress to ask participants for their thoughts about ways to address these issues, as well as improve the standard of reporting by journalists to enhance reader appeal.

Ms Dalavone Kittiphan

Ms Dalavone Kittiphan, Deputy Minister of Education and Sports: I’m very pleased to attend this conference, which will foster unity and strength within the media. The media is a vital tool for multifaceted public relations. In the education and sports sector, it has helped educational promotion reach society from the central to local levels. This conference is a major turning point and will elevate the role of the media. In this age of AI and technology, we must adapt and remain open to learning new skills, whether in content writing or providing reliable and rapid news.

Mr Vantoula Raknout, a member of the Commission for Information and Education of the Central Committee: The congress is a historic event, being the first such gathering in over 70 years. I believe this is highly significant as it will determine the leading role of the media based on the past seven decades. The media has evolved significantly, encompassing both electronic and print formats, which challenges journalists to be more proactive in capturing global events. Nowadays, most people get information online. Therefore, we must strengthen both our personnel and equipment. In an era of rampant fake news, media agencies must ensure they provide accurate information to the public, the military, and the police. In the future, we will establish an agency to respond more rapidly to distorted news in order to build public trust.

Mr Saylakham Khayongek, Editor-in-Chief of the Economic and Trade News: I am delighted to attend this conference to align with the Party’s guidelines on media leadership. Throughout my 20 years in this profession, I have seen the media evolve from humble beginnings into the digital age, where online platforms help disseminate policies more rapidly and extensively. In this digital era where anyone can post news, I urge people to scrutinise news carefully to verify its authenticity. AI now plays a major role and can manipulate both images and voices to a point where they are indistinguishable from reality. Please think before liking or sharing; if we share false information, we can become distributors of chaos. I advise the new generation of journalists to improve their digital and AI skills so their reporting is more effective and timely. Crucially, they must firmly grasp the law and national policies to produce content that benefits the nation.

Lieutenant Colonel Bounmai Saengaloun, Editor-in-Chief of the National Defence Magazine: I am immensely proud to attend the first National Media Congress. The media acts as a ‘sharp weapon’ for the Party in disseminating policies and laws to ensure correct public understanding. The National Defence Magazine has played its part in fostering a deep understanding among officers and soldiers. Currently, unofficial media outlets attempt to distort information and attack the leadership of the Party and State, which is false and misleads the public. Reporters must counter this negativity by providing accurate, clear, and credible information to meet the demands of this era of renewal.

Mr Vantoula Raknout	Mr Saylakham Khayongek	Lieutenant Colonel Bounmai Saengaloun

By Lamphone Pasanthong
 (Latest Update July 14, 2026)