Vietnam restructures media in cost-cutting drive

One of Vietnam’s largest state TV broadcasters went off air today as part of sweeping bureaucratic reforms that will see 20 percent of the public workforce cut across the country.

The ruling Communist party wants to streamline the political system to reduce red tape and slash spending. The reforms will see eight ministries and government agencies cut and media organisations restructured in reforms described as “a revolution” by senior officials. Vietnam’s second-most popular TV station, VTC, went off athe ir, with its 13 channels broadcasting for the final time yesterday.