What is the use of commune-level radio stations in Vietnam? What are methods and principles of operation of commune-level radio stations in Vietnam?

Recently, the Government of Vietnam issued Decree 49/2024/ND-CP specifying regulations on grassroots information activities. The Decree includes provisions for the grassroots radio stations at the commune level.

Decree 49/2024/ND-CP comes into effect on July 1, 2024, and replaces Decision 52/2016/QD-TTg.

1. What is the use of commune-level radio stations in Vietnam?

According to Clause 1, Article 7 of Decree 49/2024/ND-CP, a radio station is an information and propaganda tool established at the administrative units of communes, wards, and commune-level towns to carry out propaganda and information dissemination and to serve the directive and executive tasks of the Party committees and local authorities, directly managed by the commune-level People's Committees.

The radio station includes the following activities:

- Providing and disseminating essential information to residents in Vietnamese and local ethnic minority languages.

- Broadcasting responses from competent agencies, organizations, and individuals regarding public feedback in accordance with the nature and requirements of the information content broadcasted on the radio channel.

(Regulations stipulated in Article 8 of Decree 49/2024/ND-CP)

Thus, commune-level radio stations are used to provide and disseminate essential information to the local populace. Additionally, they convey responses from competent agencies, organizations, and individuals to public feedback, in alignment with the nature and requirements of the information broadcasted on the radio.

2. What are methods and principles of operation of commune-level radio stations in Vietnam?

According to Article 9 of Decree 49/2024/ND-CP, the operation methods and principles of commune-level radio stations are as follows:

(1) Produce and broadcast programs self-produced by the radio station; broadcast notices from local Party committees and government.

(2) Broadcast radio programs produced by the district-level stations according to scheduled broadcasting times or in emergency situations as decided by the district-level People's Committees.

(3) Broadcast radio programs received from central and provincial grassroots information sources, national and provincial essential political, information, and propaganda programs as required by competent state management agencies.

(4) Based on actual conditions, commune-level radio stations may rebroadcast current affairs programs and other programs from the Voice of Vietnam and provincial radio and television stations to fulfill the essential information needs of the public.

(5) Radio broadcasting activities must comply with regulations on radio transmission and broadcasting, telecommunication, and information technology laws.

3. What are the responsibilities of the commune-level People's Committee and the personnel involved in operating the commune-level radio stations?

In addition to the operation methods and principles, the law also outlines the responsibilities of commune-level People's Committees and the personnel operating the commune-level radio stations:

Responsibilities of the commune-level People's Committees:

- Issue Regulations on the operation of the commune-level radio station in accordance with the local residents' lifestyle characteristics;

- Allocate personnel to operate the radio station, including cultural-social officers or part-time commune staff; organize training and professional development for communication skills, technical equipment usage, and radio technology operation for the personnel;

- Provide facilities, technical equipment, and necessary conditions to ensure the operation of the radio station; fund regular operational costs; and pay remuneration and royalties for media products as stipulated in Clause 1, Article 9 of Decree 49/2024/ND-CP according to regulations issued by the provincial People's Council.

(Regulated in Clause 2, Article 7 of Decree 49/2024/ND-CP)

Responsibilities of the personnel operating commune-level radio stations:

- Operate the radio station in compliance with the laws and the Regulations issued by the commune-level People's Committees.

- Write and edit news and articles, ensuring the essential information is accurate, timely, easy to hear, and understand; master the techniques and procedures for operating the station's machinery and equipment.

- Receive public feedback, report to the Chairman of the commune-level People's Committees for resolution, or forward it to competent agencies, organizations, or individuals for resolution.

(Regulated in Article 10 of Decree 49/2024/ND-CP)

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