Proposing more specific regulations on revenue sharing obligations of platforms when using press content

Regarding the sharing of press content on social networking platforms, National Assembly delegate Hoang Minh Hieu suggested that the draft Law on Press (amended) should have more specific regulations on the revenue sharing obligations of platforms when using press content.

Contributing to the 10th session of the 15th National Assembly, mentioning the issue of press economy , delegate Hoang Minh Hieu - National Assembly Delegation of Nghe An province emphasized that this is a key content, directly linked to the sustainable development of the press system.

Currently, the payment mechanism for royalties is mainly based on views or visits. This calculation method can make reporters prioritize short, trend-driven news stories, while in-depth, high-quality stories are less interested. This directly affects the quality of press content... In addition, economic difficulties can also lead to negative manifestations in professional activities, so the draft law needs to have substantial solutions to support the healthy development of the press.

According to the delegate, the State currently supports about 0.5% of the budget for the press - an average level compared to the international level, but the support is still scattered. It is necessary to study a mechanism for allocating the budget with focus, priority for press agencies that carry out political tasks, serve remote areas or have high-quality products with great social value.

In addition, tax policies also need to be considered. According to delegates, some countries apply tax incentives to press agencies operating on a subscription model, especially digital subscriptions for electronic newspapers (subscription), to encourage the development of quality content and reduce dependence on advertising. This is a direction that needs to be researched to suit the trend of digital transformation in the media sector.

Delegate Hoang Minh Hieu - National Assembly Delegation of Nghe An province

Regarding copyright issues, the draft law has mentioned the sharing of press content on social networking platforms, but only at the principle level. Delegates proposed more specific regulations on the revenue sharing obligations of platforms when using press content.

Citing Canada’s experience, the delegate said that the country’s law requires platforms with more than 2 million users and using commercial press content to have a revenue sharing mechanism with press agencies. This is an experience worth considering in the process of completing the Law project.

Expressing agreement with the regulation allowing press agencies to associate to increase revenue, delegates said that it should be accompanied by a strict monitoring mechanism to avoid the situation of distorted associations, leading to "privatization" of press activities.

At the same time, it is necessary to pay attention to reducing the cost of legal compliance for press agencies. Some new regulations in the draft, such as requiring the press to connect and be responsible for the information they post on social networks, may increase administrative procedures and implementation costs, while the law on social media reporting has general regulations for all entities. Therefore, only the really necessary contents should be regulated, avoiding duplication and causing difficulties in implementation.

According to delegate Hoang Minh Hieu, the draft Law on Press (amended) is an important step to complete the legal framework for the press to develop professionally, humanely and modernly. However, it is necessary to continue researching and completing the contents related to the scope of regulation, classification of types, economic mechanisms and support policies, to ensure feasibility and suitability with the current rapid development of the Vietnamese press.

Delegate Nguyen Thi Viet Nga - National Assembly Delegation of Hai Phong City

Commenting on the development of press economy and financial mechanism for press agencies, Article 21 of the draft Law clearly stipulates the revenue sources of press agencies including: allocated budget; revenue from advertising, copyright sales, service provision, sponsorship, business cooperation...

According to delegate Nguyen Thi Viet Nga - National Assembly Delegation of Hai Phong City, this is a very important step forward, demonstrating a new awareness of developing journalism as a field that is both socio-cultural and creative economic. And, current practice shows that many press agencies are also facing difficulties in securing operational resources.

Meanwhile, the need for press agencies to invest in technology, digital transformation, and improve content quality is growing and requires a significant amount of funding.

Therefore, establishing a mechanism for the press economy is absolutely necessary.

However, according to the delegate, the concept of "press economy" in the draft Law is still not clearly defined. Delegate Nguyen Thi Viet Nga suggested that it is necessary to review and supplement the official definition of press economy; clarify the scope and limits of investment, association, and advertising activities, avoiding the trend of commercializing content or "newspaperization" of magazines.

Along with that, research on the mechanism of the Press Development Fund to support press agencies in carrying out socio-political tasks, serving remote areas, and supporting digital transformation. The establishment of the Press Activity Fund has been carried out in many countries around the world.

Source: https://bvhttdl.gov.vn/de-nghi-quy-dinh-cu-the-hon-ve-nghia-vu-chia-se-doanh-thu-cua-cac-nen-tang-khi-su-dung-noi-dung-bao-chi-20251027131323386.htm