Hanoi: Vietnam has approved major changes to its press and state secrecy laws, a move that journalists and rights groups say will make reporting in the country more difficult and risky.

The revised Press Law, which will take effect in July 2026, gives authorities wider powers to force journalists to reveal their sources. Previously, only courts could demand this information in investigations involving serious crimes. Under the new rules, the Ministry of Public Security and local police can also order journalists to identify their sources in a broader range of cases.

At the same time, parliament expanded the list of issues legally classified as state secrets. The new categories include details of overseas trips by senior leaders and financial information related to government settlements in international investment disputes.

Rights groups say these changes could restrict access to important public information and increase pressure on both local and foreign journalists. Reporters Without Borders said the laws will make Vietnam an extremely challenging place for the press to work freely.

The updated legal framework comes at a time when critics of the government, including journalists based abroad, are already facing greater scrutiny. Recent cases show that authorities are using national security laws to pursue writers and editors accused of spreading anti state content.

Vietnam has long maintained tight control over the media, and analysts say the expanded state secret rules combined with weaker source protection will likely lead to more self censorship and fewer investigative reports.

The government has not commented in detail on the criticism but says the legal revisions are aimed at strengthening national security and improving the management of sensitive information.