What are the application and procedures for issuance of license to establish news website or social networking site in Vietnam?

Hello, The Lawnet would like to answer as follows:

1.What is news website or social networking site?

Pursuant to Clause 21, Article 3 of Decree 27/2018/ND-CP, a website is a system of information used for establishing one or multiple pages of information that are displayed in the form of symbols, digits, text, video, audio, and other forms of information serving the provision and use of information on the Internet.

A news website or social networking site is a place used to provide a summary of all official information in the most accurate way in the form of verbatim quotes from agencies, organizations, or businesses.

All information on this website is fully updated, including the author's name, agency name of the news source, and posting time.

2. Application for issuance of license to establish news website or social networking site in Vietnam

According to Article 23 of Decree 27/2018/ND-CP, regulations on application for issuance of license to establish news website or social networking site

- An application form for license to establish news website using Form 23 in Appendix I issued with Decree 27/2018/ND-CP;

- A valid copy of one of the following documents, including copy extracted from master register, certified true copy or copy enclosed with original:

+ Certificate of business registration,

+ Certificate of investment registration,

+ Establishment decision (or valid copy of certificate, equivalent license issued before the date of entry into force of the Law on Investment and Law on enterprises);

+ Charter of operation (in case of unions or associations).

- An operation scheme bearing signature and seal of the applicant’s head, at least containing:

+ Purposes of information supply;

+ Contents, expected columns;

+ Official information sources, printed homepage and key columns;

+ Personnel, technical, information management and finance plans which guarantees the operation of news website in accordance with Points b, c, d and dd Clause 5 Article 23 of Decree 27/2018/ND-CP;

+ Place where DNS servers are located in Vietnam;

- A notification of acceptance of the information provider to justify that the source of information is legitimate.

3. Procedures for issuance of license to establish new websites in Vietnam

Pursuant to Decree 27/2018/ND-CP amending Decree 72/2013/ND-CP, the procedures for issuance of license to establish new websites are as follows:

- An application for licensing shall be submitted in person, by post or via Internet to the licensing authority as prescribed in Clause 8, Clause 9 Article 23 of Decree 27/2018/ND-CP.

- Within 10 working days from the date on which a satisfactory application is received, the competent authority shall consider issuing a license to establish news website using Form No. 24 in Appendix I issued with Decree 27/2018/ND-CP. If the application is refused, the competent authority must provide explanation in writing.

- Within 5 working days from the date on which a satisfactory application submitted by a local news agency is received, the Department of Information and Communications of province shall verify and forward it enclosed with a request for licensing to Department of Radio and Television and electronic information affiliated to the Ministry of Information and Communications to consider licensing as per the law. If the application is refused, the Department of Information and Communications shall provide explanation in writing.

Best regards!

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