First-time applicants for press cards must complete a training course on professional skills and ethics.

Continuing the agenda of the 10th Session, on the morning of December 10th, with 437 out of 440 participating delegates voting in favor, the National Assembly passed the amended Press Law.

The law stipulates that in the case of issuing a journalist's card for the first time, the applicant must have worked continuously at the media agency requesting the card for at least two years up to the time of consideration and have completed a training course on journalism skills and professional ethics.

This condition does not apply to leaders of press agencies whose appointment has been approved in writing by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.

Regarding who is eligible to be issued a journalist's card, the law excludes those working at scientific journals.

Chairman of the Committee for Culture and Social Affairs Nguyen Dac Vinh.

Presenting the report on the acceptance and explanation of the draft Law before the National Assembly's vote, the Chairman of the Committee on Culture and Social Affairs, Nguyen Dac Vinh, stated that the draft Law, after being revised and amended, consists of 4 chapters and 51 articles.

Compared to the current Law, the draft Law has fundamental new points including: clearly defining types of media in the new context; supplementing policies for media development and ensuring resources for implementation, from financial mechanisms to infrastructure investment and tax incentives in a more feasible direction; clarifying the conditions for media operation, licensing mechanisms and organizational structure; identifying key multimedia media agencies, representative offices, and resident reporters.

At the same time, specific regulations are needed regarding journalist cards, legal responsibility for information content; the right to request corrections and removal of infringing information on platforms; and the improvement of regulations on managing journalistic activities in cyberspace and the application of new technologies, including regulating the use of artificial intelligence (AI).

Mr. Nguyen Dac Vinh stated that there have been suggestions to add a separate clause to the law specifically regulating key multimedia press agencies or specialized press agencies, allowing these agencies to maintain independent legal status and avoid mechanical mergers.

" The Standing Committee of the National Assembly has received the feedback, directed a review, and reported as follows: Clause 5, Article 15 of the draft Law stipulates that a leading multi-media press agency is a press agency with many types of media and affiliated press agencies; has a special financial mechanism; and is established in accordance with the Strategy for the Development and Management of the Press System approved by the Prime Minister ," said Mr. Nguyen Dac Vinh.

In addition, Clause 3, Article 15 of the draft Law stipulates: Press agencies have legal status, seals, and accounts in accordance with the provisions of law, ensuring legality for professional activities and financial management of press agencies.

There are suggestions to change the term "key multimedia media agency" to "key press agency", or to change the name to "key multimedia press and media agency".

According to Mr. Nguyen Dac Vinh, the phrases "leading multimedia media agency" and "leading multimedia press agency," currently used in various documents, are not the names of the agencies but merely identify the "leading" status and "multimedia" nature of the six leading press agencies as defined in Prime Minister's Decision No. 362 approving the National Plan for the Development and Management of the Press.

Based on the scope of the Law's regulation, which is the organization and operation of the press, the Standing Committee of the National Assembly directed that it be revised to "leading multi-media press agencies" to ensure accuracy and consistency.

Some opinions have suggested piloting a model of a multi-media flagship press or corporation in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. Regarding this matter, the National Assembly Standing Committee stated that the Government has directed the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism to summarize the Plan for the Development and Management of the Press, and plans to propose to the competent authorities the continued implementation of some aspects of the Plan and the addition of new perspectives, including the establishment of a multi-media flagship press agency in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.

Based on the direction and approval of competent authorities, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism will specify these contents in the Strategy for development and management of the press system, ensuring feasibility, consistency and conformity with the national press development orientation.

There are suggestions to carefully consider factors related to the organization of the press apparatus in the context of implementing resolutions on streamlining the apparatus and strengthening the political orientation role of the press.

The Standing Committee of the National Assembly has received and directed a review and institutionalization of the Party's views on streamlining the apparatus, as reflected in the provisions of the draft Law, specifically: regulations on the position, functions, and tasks of the press; regulations on press and broadcasting agencies; and the addition of the "Vietnam Fatherland Front" as an entity eligible to apply for press operating licenses. These regulations ensure consistency and alignment with the direction of streamlining and improving the efficiency of the press apparatus.

Source: https://baolangson.vn/cap-the-nha-bao-lan-dau-phai-qua-lop-boi-duong-nghiep-vu-dao-duc-5067613.html