The Government of Vietnam's opinions on the proposal for the development of the Law on Press (amended)

The Government of Vietnam's opinions on the proposal for the development of the Law on Press (amended) (Image from the internet)

On September 22, 2024, the Government of Vietnam issued Resolution 148/NQ-CP on the specialized session on legislative development in September 2024.

The Government of Vietnam's opinions on the proposal for the development of the Law on Press (amended)

The Government of Vietnam highly appreciates the Ministry of Information and Communication for actively leading, cooperating with relevant ministries, agencies, and organizations to prepare the dossier for the Proposal for the Development of the Law on Press (amended), submitting it to the Government of Vietnam in accordance with the Law on Promulgation of legislative Documents.

The Government of Vietnam broadly agrees on the necessity and objectives for developing the Law, requesting the Ministry of Information and Communication of Vietnam to review and incorporate opinions from the Members of the Government of Vietnam, ensuring the following requirements:

- It is necessary to closely follow and institutionalize the guidelines and policies of the Communist Party to fully institutionalize the regulations on the management and development of press activities; amend and supplement the provisions of the current Press Law to address obstacles and inadequacies, ensuring suitability to reality; promote the development of the press field in line with realistic conditions and the trend of digital transformation in journalism; complete professional and modern press agencies, maintaining a leading role and guiding public opinion; uphold information sovereignty in cyberspace.

- Review the provisions of the current Press Law and related legal regulations to ensure synchrony and consistency within the legal system; amendments and supplements need to be thoroughly evaluated for appropriateness, feasibility, and effectiveness.

- Complete mechanisms and policies for the development of press activities, ensuring operational conditions, funding, and income for press agencies to carry out their mission and propaganda orientation; at the same time, innovate management activities to be strict yet compliant with the law and suitable to planning.

- Actively consult experts and scientists; strengthen policy communication to create high consensus; effectively coordinate with ministries and central authorities, and relevant agencies during the legislative process.

The Government of Vietnam concurs with the Ministry of Information and Communication of Vietnam's proposals on four policy groups. The Ministry of Information and Communication continues to research and review solutions for each policy to ensure alignment with objectives and practical requirements. To be specific: 

- Policy 1: Strengthen the management of press activities: revise the policy to not allow scientific journals to open representative offices in localities to ensure the journals' autonomy and alignment with their principles and purposes; the scope of information of press agencies needs to be consistent with their principles, purposes, and assigned tasks.

- Policy 2: Enhance the quality of journalists and leaders of press agencies: policies should encourage improvement in the quality of journalists and leaders of press agencies to organize effective activities.

- Policy 3: Promote the development of the press economy: complete policies to encourage the development of the press economy in compliance with the law; consider the name "press group" to be consistent with the nature of revolutionary journalism, avoiding different interpretations and applications of the law.

- Policy 4: Regulate press activities in cyberspace: refine policy solutions for press activities in cyberspace to manage effectively and promote digital transformation in journalism; have tools to deal with violations in cyberspace; set appropriate, prompt rewards and penalties to prevent illegal profiteering from press activities.

More details can be found in Resolution 148/NQ-CP issued on September 22, 2024.

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