Representatives from the Central Science and Documentary Film Studio receive the Special Prize for their documentary film at the third national press awards on anti-corruption in Hà Nội on Saturday. VNA/VNS Photo Minh Đức

HÀ NỘI — A documentary film produced by the Central Science and Documentary Film Studio has won the Special Prize of the third annual national press awards on anti-corruption.

The award ceremony took place in Hà Nội on Saturday night, marking the 91st founding anniversary of the Việt Nam National United Front.

Prizes were given to all 45 qualified submissions, including one Special Prize, four A prizes, 10 B prizes, 12 C prizes and 18 consolation prizes.

The winner of the Special Prize was a three-part documentary titled “Internal invaders”, produced by a group of four filmmakers Nguyễn Quang Tuấn, Nguyễn Ánh Ngọc, Vương Khánh Trần Linh and Nguyễn Thanh Bình from the Central Science and Documentary Film Studio. It was broadcast on the VTV1 channel of Vietnam Television.

This was the first time a Special Prize was introduced at the awards.

Winners of the A prizes are a five-episode series on corruption in medical bidding by Tiền Phong (Vanguard) reporters, a five-episode series on wood exploitation by Dân Việt (Vietnamese People) reporters, a three-episode series on economic corruption by VOV1 reporters, and a piece on wrongdoings in a genetic resource preservation project by VTV9 reporters.

This year’s awards received 1,181 submissions in print, digital, radio and television journalism from more than 100 media outlets all over the country.

Speaking at the ceremony, Đỗ Văn Chiến, chairman of the Central Committee of the Việt Nam Fatherland Front, said: “The results of anti-corruption efforts in recent years have helped to cleanse the Party’s and State’s political system, consolidate people’s faith in the Government and elevate the country’s position in the region.

“Out of such efforts, those from media outlets and journalists are of utmost importance – they are the pioneering soldiers in the fight to prevent and eliminate corruption and wrongdoings.

“Many journalists have taken challenges, difficulties and dangers head on, overcome temptations, pitfalls and everyday worries about making ends meet, to follow their stories until the end, helping the authorities to identify and handle corrupt organisations and individuals, which has gained support from appreciation from the people.”

Chiến expressed his appreciation for the efforts made to organise the awards. He asked the board of organisers to continue to adjust and improve the eligibility criteria to encourage more journalists to submit their work.

He also asked the board to collaborate with media outlets to prepare measures to protect their journalists so they can continue producing valuable work and keep up the faith in justice. VNS