One of Vietnam’s largest state TV broadcasters went off air on Wednesday as part of sweeping bureaucratic reforms that will see 20 per cent of the public workforce cut across the country.
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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 a host of media organisations radically restructured in reforms described as “a revolution” by senior officials.
On Wednesday, VTC – Vietnam’s second-most popular TV station – went off air, with its 13 channels broadcasting for the final time on Tuesday. It is unclear what will happen to VTC’s 800 employees.
In a farewell message, VTC hosts said that the station had “come to the end of its 20-year mission to serve the community and society”.
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Together with VTC, another four broadcasters – VOVTV, VNATV, Quoc Hoi TV and Nhan Dan TV – have been forced to close.