On the afternoon of October 8, the National Assembly Standing Committee gave its opinion on the draft Press Law (amended).
This amendment focuses on 4 major groups of policies: Strengthening management of press activities; improving the quality of journalists and leaders of press agencies; promoting the development of the press economy and regulating press activities in cyberspace.
Presenting the Law Project, Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Nguyen Van Hung said that the Draft stipulates principles on the model of press operations and economics, expanding the space of press operations to develop the press in the context of streamlining the apparatus of the political system, meeting the requirements of information and propaganda in the new era.
Many regulations are supplemented, including the main media agency of multiple media being a press agency with many types of press, affiliated press agencies; having a special financial mechanism according to Government regulations...
Preliminary review, on the contents related to the press economy, the Standing Committee of the National Assembly's Committee on Culture and Society stated that the Draft Law has supplemented and supplemented a number of provisions to create conditions for press agencies to have more revenue, remove difficulties in operations, such as receiving investment and financial support from the State (Article 10), expanding revenue sources for press agencies (Article 21), regulations on linkage and cooperation (Article 24, Article 25), regulations on advertising (Article 38...).
Giving his opinion at the meeting, Politburo member and National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man said that the Draft needs to stipulate a streamlined organizational model to increase the effectiveness of public orientation.
Regarding press activities in cyberspace, it is necessary to control fake information, protect national security, support and encourage the press economy, and reduce dependence on the budget.
Regarding the main media agency of many media (Clause 6, Article 16), the special financial mechanism, the National Assembly Chairman said that it is necessary to study and carefully consider, ensuring sufficient basis for content related to the press economy. Specific instructions are needed to create favorable conditions for press agencies in the implementation process.
The National Assembly Chairman also proposed to ensure the requirement to strengthen management and development of communication and information on digital platforms.
There needs to be an appropriate mechanism to develop the revolutionary press career, enhancing the presence of revolutionary press on social platforms. Maintain the information and propaganda front in the face of the development of cross-border platforms.
At the meeting, Vice Chairman of the National Assembly Nguyen Duc Hai suggested that in addition to regulations on revenue sources, it is necessary to study and supplement a number of other regulations on press economics such as finance, assets, etc.
If only regulated as public service units or public units, it will be difficult to operate because many press agencies organize as an economic unit, accept bank loans, do business so that products are effective and have a source of revenue to cover expenses and fulfill obligations to the state.
Explaining further the opinions discussed, Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Nguyen Van Hung said that he will study more on the content of the press economy.
Concluding the discussion session, Vice Chairwoman of the National Assembly Nguyen Thi Thanh noted the need to continue to improve more specific and feasible regulations on policies to support press development.
At the same time, clarify resources and financial mechanisms to implement the mechanism of ordering, bidding, assigning tasks, ensuring consistency with the law on public investment, finance, budget, labor, and technology to avoid overlap and create conditions for press agencies, promote creative autonomy, and at the same time play the role of the state's orientation.
