Vietnam: 07 Things which must not be informed in the press

Vietnam: 07 Things which must not be informed in the press (Internet image)

1. What is press? Types of press

According to Clause 1, Article 1 of Decree 51/2002/ND-CP, press is the common name used to refer collectively to print journalism, radio journalism, television journalism and electronic journalism.

Specifically:

- Print journalism refers to the type of press, made by means of printing (newspapers, magazines, news bulletins, newsletters).

- Radio journalism refers to the type of press, made on radio waves (radio programs).

- Television journalism refers to the type of press, made on television frequencies (television programs, audio-visual news programs implemented by various means).

- Online journalism refers to the type of press, made on computer information networks (Internet, Intranet).

(Clause 2, 3, 4 and 5, Article 1 of Decree 51/2002/ND-CP)

2. 07 Things which must not be informed in the press

Specifically, in Article 5 of Decree 51/2002/ND-CP, things which must not be informed in the press include:

- Not to publish or broadcast those press, artistic or literary works or documents in contravention of law, with contents opposing the State of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and undermining the entire people’s unity bloc.

- Not to describe meticulously obscene or horrible slaughtering acts in news reports, articles or images on criminal cases and acts. Not to publish or broadcast obscene news reports, articles, images, pornographic pictures or photos, which are inaesthetic and incompatible with Vietnam’s fine customs and traditions.

- Not to publish or broadcast personal photos without clear captions or which affect the concerned individuals prestige or honor (except for photos giving information on public meetings or collective activities, working sessions, art performances, sports and physical training, wanted persons, open court hearings or defendants in serious cases, who are serving court sentences).

- Not to publish or broadcast news reports, articles and/or photos which badly affect the people’s private life or publicize personal documents and/or letters of individuals without consent of the senders or the receivers or the lawful owners of those documents and/or letters. For personal documents or letters related to negative phenomena or law violations, the press bodies shall comply with the provisions of Clause 6, Article 5 of Decree 51/2002/ND-CP.

- Not to publish or broadcast news reports and/or articles disseminating bad practices or superstition. For information on new scientific issues, which have yet been concluded, or mysteries, there must be cross-references to sources of materials (the works origin, place and time of publicization).

- The use of the Party’s, State’s and organizations documents must strictly comply with the provisions of the December 28, 2000 Ordinance on the Protection of State Secrets.

Regarding organizations documents, individuals documents and letters relating to cases under investigation or awaiting judgment, the press bodies shall have the right to exploit their own information sources and take responsibility before law for the contents of such information.

3. Powers of the press bodies in Vietnam

Press agencies have the following powers:

- To be entitled to capital and operational funding allocation, price subsidies and loss compensation, by their parent agencies. In addition to the tax and charge preferences for press publication and distribution activities, the press bodies of political organizations, the press in service of the youngsters, inhabitants of mountainous and island areas or ethnic minority people, external relations press as well as scientific and technical press shall be considered for annual financial support by the State.

- To organize business and service activities in the fields of printing, publishing and distributing books and newspapers, advertisement, film-shooting, photography and trading in equipment and supplies for press professional activities in order to create sources of revenues for reinvestment in the press development.

The press bodies that wish to expand their business and service lines to other fields related to their professional operations must get consents from their parent agencies and notify such to the State management agencies in charge of the press.

The business and service activities must be registered separately from professional activities of the press bodies and comply with law provisions on the business lines and trades as well as services, which the press bodies are engaged in.

- To receive and use voluntary financial supports from domestic and overseas organizations and individuals for activities in accordance with the provisions of law.

The parent agencies of the press bodies shall have to guide the reception and use of voluntary financial supports in strict compliance with the State’s stipulations.

The heads of the press bodies shall be held responsible before their parent agencies and before law for the management and use of financial supports.

(Article 7 of Decree 51/2002/ND-CP)

Thanh Rin

>> CLICK HERE TO READ THIS ARTICLE IN VIETNAMESE