Specify the content and specific mechanisms of the main multimedia communication agency

Photo caption — National Assembly delegations from Dong Thap and Quang Ngai provinces discussed in groups on the afternoon of October 23. Photo: Tuan Anh/VNA

Investing in a key multimedia communications agency

Commenting on regulations related to the main multimedia press agency, delegate Tran Hoang Ngan ( Ho Chi Minh City) stated that the Vietnamese revolutionary press has always been closely associated with the cause of national liberation, building and defending the Fatherland. “This is an extremely important means, not only conveying information but also orienting and leading public opinion, contributing to orienting information. The press is also the people's forum,” delegate Tran Hoang Ngan said.

Delegates analyzed that when collecting public opinions on draft political reports and draft documents of the 14th National Party Congress, the press plays a role in propagating, disseminating and spreading information, helping people's voices become a valuable source of data for the Party and State to issue policies and development strategies.

"If the press is considered an ideological weapon, the more professional and modern that weapon is, the more effective its role will be," said delegate Tran Hoang Ngan.

In the new context, the revised law needs to supplement regulations in line with the development of information technology, multimedia, science and technology and artificial intelligence, helping people improve their ability to identify real and fake information. The role of the Vietnam Journalists Association also needs to be enhanced; at the same time, it is necessary to clearly define the responsibilities and scope of state management of localities as well as the process of licensing press activities.

Expressing agreement with the regulation "A key multimedia media agency is a press and media complex operating in many forms and services, playing a core role in orienting public opinion, and having a special operating mechanism", delegate Tran Hoang Ngan proposed to soon allow the establishment of key multimedia press agencies like prestigious stations/news agencies in the world.

Sharing the same view, delegate Nguyen Thanh Cam (Dong Thap) proposed to specify the content, criteria, mechanisms and specific policies to help key multimedia press agencies have "land" to develop and become the pioneering force of the country's press.

"It is necessary to add separate policies for key multimedia media agencies," said delegate Thanh Cam.

Discussing this issue, Venerable Thich Duc Thien (Dien Bien) stated that in reality, there is a lot of fake, bad, and toxic information still appearing on cross-border digital platforms, so it is necessary to have specific and strict regulations on commitments and responsibilities for managing press activities in cyberspace, especially for domestic and foreign digital platforms.

"In the context of declining advertising and financial difficulties for traditional press, the State needs to continue investing in press agencies, especially key multimedia media agencies, to ensure that the press performs well its functions of guiding and leading public opinion, communicating policies and maintaining the principles and goals of revolutionary press," said Venerable Thich Duc Thien.

Clarifying the concept of journalism

Discussing in groups, delegates expressed high agreement on the necessity of promulgating the Press Law (amended) to strengthen the management of press activities, improve the quality of journalists, promote the development of the press economy and regulate press activities in cyberspace in accordance with reality.

Commenting on the draft Law, delegate Pham Thi Minh Hue (Can Tho) requested the drafting agency to clarify the explanation of terms to ensure consistent application and avoid misunderstandings between different types of press. The explanation of the concept of "press" should be general, while specific types should be defined separately and clearly to avoid duplication.

In addition, the list of press activities needs to be reviewed and supplemented to comprehensively reflect the practical activities of press agencies; some expressions need to be adjusted accordingly. According to the delegate, the provision that "the press has duties and powers" is not semantically accurate and needs to be adjusted to be consistent with the regulations on the position, functions and tasks of the press; at the same time, clarify the concept of "public service unit" in the provision "press agencies operating in the form of public service units or public service units", because there is currently no legal document specifically regulating this type.

Sharing the same view, delegate Truong Thi Ngoc Anh (Can Tho) suggested that the drafting agency review the explanation of terms, ensuring that the names of press types are consistent, clear and consistent with reality, avoiding the use of "print press" which is inconsistent with other concepts; editing concisely, avoiding duplication of content between points and clauses on prohibited acts.

Regarding revenue from advertising, sponsorship or people who need to post news/articles..., delegate Truong Thi Ngoc Anh proposed assigning responsibility to the Government or the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism to have specific instructions to limit cases where the press takes advantage of legal regulations and puts pressure on businesses and economic organizations.

Expressing concerns about the regulation on granting press cards to journalists who switch to management, teaching or association work, delegate Truong Thi Ngoc Anh suggested that the drafting agency carefully consider to make the regulation more strict, in the direction that press cards should be reserved for those who work directly. Granting them to other fields could lead to card abuse and is not in accordance with regulations on press activities.

Delegate Truong Thi Ngoc Anh also proposed to separate two separate parts - "what journalists must do" and "what journalists must not do" to ensure transparency and ease of application. For example, "what must be done" is to correct and apologize in case of inaccurate and unverified information. And "what must not be done" is to abuse the name to harass, commit violations, distort information, slander, and insult the reputation and honor of organizations and individuals...

Commenting on the regulations on granting, changing and revoking press cards, delegate Ta Thi Yen (Dien Bien) said that the draft Law stipulates that people who are granted a card for the first time must have worked continuously for 2 years or more and "have completed a training course on journalism skills and professional ethics" organized by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism in coordination with the Vietnam Journalists Association, which is not really appropriate.

According to the delegate, the goal of the regulation to improve the quality of the press team is correct, but considering the reform of administrative procedures and the Government's policy of cutting down on "sub-licenses and certificates", this regulation is not really necessary.

"Currently, the process of granting press cards has a fairly strict criteria system. If we add a mandatory requirement of passing a professional training course and professional ethics before being granted a press card, it will create a new layer of administrative procedures, no different from a type of "sub-license", causing costs, time, and procedures for journalists," said delegate Ta Thi Yen.

Delegate Ta Thi Yen emphasized that from 2021 to now, the Prime Minister has directed the Ministry of Home Affairs to review and remove unnecessary certificates to reduce administrative burdens as well as save social resources. In that context, adding a new type of certificate - even if it is a training certificate - is difficult to receive consensus from practice. Therefore, delegate Ta Thi Yen suggested that the drafting agency review and not make this content mandatory, instead updating knowledge and professional ethics through seminars and thematic activities...

Source: https://baotintuc.vn/thoi-su/cu-the-hoa-noi-ham-co-che-dac-thu-cua-co-quan-truyen-thong-chu-luc-da-phuong-tien-20251023181720945.htm