Keep up with and adapt to the strong development of digital technology and multimedia communications

National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man and Vice Chairmen of the National Assembly chaired and directed the meeting. (Photo: DUY LINH)

This afternoon, the National Assembly Standing Committee discussed and gave opinions on the explanation, reception and revision of the draft Law on Artificial Intelligence ; the draft Law on amending and supplementing a number of articles of the Law on Value Added Tax; and the draft Resolution of the National Assembly on specific mechanisms and policies to implement major projects in the capital.

At the meeting, the National Assembly Standing Committee also commented on the adjustment to reduce the 2025 economic career expenditure estimate assigned to the Ministry of Construction to supplement the target for the People's Committees of provinces and centrally run cities to overcome the consequences of natural disasters in the road sector (2nd time); commented on the draft Resolution of the National Assembly on a number of specific mechanisms and policies, especially applicable to the high-speed railway project on the North-South axis...

Review press development policy, ensure resources for implementation

One of the highlights of the session was the National Assembly Standing Committee giving its opinion on the draft Press Law (amended). This is the most comprehensive revision of this law since its promulgation more than a decade ago, aiming to adapt to the strong development of digital technology and multimedia communications.

Scene of the National Assembly Standing Committee meeting on the morning of December 4. (Photo: DUY LINH)

Giving opinions on the reception and revision of the draft Law on Press (amended), the National Assembly Standing Committee proposed to continue to carefully review press development policies, ensure resources for implementation, especially financial mechanisms to support the press in performing public service tasks and tasks assigned by competent authorities, invest in infrastructure, and provide tax incentives to ensure feasibility.

According to Chairman of the National Assembly's Committee on Culture and Society Nguyen Dac Vinh, this draft Law has received many opinions from National Assembly deputies, experts and press agencies. Some important new points mentioned are the adjustment of the names of press types, specifically "spoken newspapers, visual newspapers" are replaced by "radio, television" to ensure legality and update according to practice.

In particular, this draft Law, for the first time, provides regulations on press activities in cyberspace, considering this an official form of press, managed like traditional forms.

Chairman of the Committee for Culture and Social Affairs Nguyen Dac Vinh presented a report at the meeting. (Photo: DUY LINH)

Informing that at the 10th Session, for the first time, the National Assembly will promulgate the Law on Artificial Intelligence (AI), with content related to the draft Law on Press (amended), the National Assembly Chairman requested that agencies must carefully and comprehensively review the draft Law with current laws as well as related Law projects being amended and supplemented, to ensure consistency and unity in regulations related to press, science and technology, digital transformation, information security, advertising and intellectual property.

Participating in giving opinions on major contents, National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man emphasized: The Press Law (amended) needs to ensure consistency in the legal system, while paying attention to issues such as copyright, related rights, protecting the safety of journalists' work, and management mechanisms for collaborators.

The National Assembly Chairman proposed adding financial support policies and tax incentives for press agencies, in which the preferential tax rate of 10% will be applied uniformly to all types of press, instead of only applying to print newspapers as before.

Issues that need to be clarified and adjusted in education bills

Also during the meeting, the National Assembly Standing Committee spent time giving opinions on five important draft documents in the field of education, including: Law amending and supplementing a number of articles of the Law on Education; Law on Higher Education (amended); Law on Vocational Education (amended); Resolution of the National Assembly stipulating specific mechanisms on a number of guidelines and policies in Resolution No. 71-NQ/TW dated August 22, 2025 of the Politburo on breakthroughs in education and training development; and Resolution on the National Target Program on modernization and improvement of education and training quality for the 2026-2035 period.

National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man speaks at the meeting. (Photo: DUY LINH)

The Government said it has received many opinions from delegates regarding the recognition of postgraduate training programs in the medical field such as specialist I, specialist II, and residency.

The draft law has added a provision: Specialized postgraduate training programs in the health field that grant degrees as resident physicians and specialists are managed by the Ministry of Health.

However, many opinions are still concerned about the regional university model, which is being piloted in some localities. According to the Government, this model aims to promote regional linkages, pool resources and support socio-economic development. However, reality shows that this model still has many shortcomings in organization and operation; therefore, the draft Law is designed to enhance unity in governance, clearly define functions, tasks and a roadmap for restructuring the apparatus.

Regarding the implementation of a unified set of textbooks nationwide from the 2026-2027 school year, many delegates suggested that it is necessary to clarify whether these are compulsory books or standard books for selection, and at the same time clearly stipulate policies on free, reusable, and shared textbook libraries.

In response to this opinion, the Government said that it is not feasible to specify the method of book compilation in the law, as the specific plan is being studied by the competent authority. However, the Ministry of Education and Training has been assigned to develop a plan for implementation in a public, transparent, economical and effective manner.

National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man emphasized: Education is a field of special interest to voters and people. Therefore, the Government needs to fully absorb the opinions of delegates, clarify key issues related to university autonomy and education finance; facilities, teachers and textbooks; digital transformation and AI application in education; specific mechanisms and organizational models.

At the same time, the National Assembly Chairman noted the need for a flexible capital allocation mechanism, allowing localities to proactively adjust to actual conditions, in line with the spirit of decentralization and delegation of power.

Regarding the investment policy of the National Target Program on modernization and improving the quality of education and training in the 2026-2035 period, the National Assembly Chairman emphasized that this is a large-scale program, aiming to modernize and help our country's education and training "take off", reaching out to catch up with some countries such as Singapore, Japan, Korea...

The National Assembly Chairman said that to develop education, it is necessary to prioritize investment in digital transformation; ensure flexible capital allocation, allowing localities to proactively adjust to actual conditions; innovate capital allocation and management mechanisms in accordance with the Central spirit of "locality decides, locality acts, locality is responsible".

Minister of Education and Training Nguyen Kim Son speaks at the meeting. (Photo: DUY LINH)

Concerned about the legal status of regional universities, National Assembly Standing Vice Chairman Do Van Chien said that during the discussion of the draft Law on Higher Education (amended), many National Assembly deputies expressed their opinions on this content but it has not been included in the draft Law.

In addition to legislative content, the National Assembly Standing Committee also considered adjusting the 2025 economic career expenditure estimate of the Ministry of Construction to supplement localities in overcoming the consequences of natural disasters in the road sector.

However, due to exceeding the deadline for adjusting the budget estimate as prescribed by the State Budget Law, the National Assembly Standing Committee does not have the authority to decide but agrees to submit it to the National Assembly for consideration and decision at the 10th Session.

Vice Chairman of the National Assembly Nguyen Duc Hai emphasized the urgency of the issue and requested the Government to carefully review the adjustment plan to ensure the accuracy of data and effective use of the budget.

The National Assembly Standing Committee also assigned the Secretary General of the National Assembly to coordinate with relevant agencies to carry out necessary procedures to add this content to the session agenda.

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Source: https://nhandan.vn/bat-nhip-thich-ung-voi-su-phat-trien-manh-me-cua-cong-nghe-so-truyen-thong-da-phuong-tien-post928022.html