Proposal to pilot the establishment of a key multimedia press agency in Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi

On the afternoon of October 23, National Assembly deputies (NADs) discussed in groups the draft Law on Press (amended). Many opinions proposed piloting the establishment of key multimedia press agencies in Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi.

The delegation of the National Assembly of Ho Chi Minh City discussed in groups on the afternoon of October 23. Photo: QUANG PHUC

Previously, in the review report on the draft Law on Press (amended), Chairman of the National Assembly's Committee on Culture and Society Nguyen Dac Vinh said that there were opinions suggesting that it was necessary to consider adding key multimedia press agencies in some localities or some units that have built up prestige and a certain position in press activities.

This is an issue that many delegates are interested in discussing, along with the issue of publishing newspapers on cyberspace.

Deputy Bui Hoai Son ( Hanoi ) said that the Law on Press (amended) needs to supplement clearer mechanisms and policies so that the press can operate as a cultural industry: from financial mechanisms based on ordering and bidding for public tasks, to allowing cooperation with domestic and foreign organizations and businesses; encouraging the formation of association models and press corporations to increase operational efficiency.

At the Ho Chi Minh City National Assembly delegation, many deputies were concerned about the need to allow the establishment of key multimedia press agencies in some localities.

Delegate Phan Thi Thanh Phuong (HCMC) speaks. Photo: DO TRUNG

Keeping major press brands

Delegate Phan Thi Thanh Phuong (HCMC) agrees with the correct policy of the Party and State on reorganizing the system of press agencies in a streamlined, professional and effective manner. However, reorganization should not mean uniformity, and should not unintentionally destroy the country's valuable press brands, affecting the effectiveness of information, criticism and social inspiration. Therefore, the Delegate recommends studying and adding to the draft Press Law (amended) a separate provision regulating specialized press agencies, or key multimedia press agencies.

Specifically, the delegate proposed allowing a number of press agencies with large brands, reputations, complete financial autonomy, and influence beyond the locality to maintain independent legal status and register as key multimedia press agencies.

In addition, clearly stipulate the criteria for determining a specific press agency, such as having a minimum operating period of 20 years (possibly 30 years, 40 years); having social influence and prestige domestically or internationally. In parallel, the governing body (City Party Committee, or People's Committee of Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi is responsible for state management of political orientation, but allows the newspaper to operate independently in terms of profession and finance, under the supervision of the Central press management agency.

Based on the strong development of digital technology, Deputy Phan Thi Thanh Phuong also proposed to supplement the legal framework for the model of "press group" or "multimedia press - media complex" in major centers such as Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.

According to the delegate, Ho Chi Minh City has the capacity, conditions and staff to build a model of a key multimedia press agency, becoming the press and media center of the Southern region. Similarly, Hanoi will also do well in this area in the Northern region. Delegate Phan Thi Thanh Phuong proposed that the National Assembly consider adding a separate law regulating a specific mechanism for these two big cities, allowing the pilot model of a key multimedia press and media complex or group.

Delegate Pham Khanh Phong Lan (HCMC). Photo: QUANG PHUC

Deputy Pham Khanh Phong Lan (HCMC) commented that the current press environment is fiercely competitive with social networks, but the draft content still has many administrative points. According to the Deputy, all control measures only work on mainstream press, and invisibly become an unhealthy competition mechanism with social networks.

For example, when a writer posts on social networks, it will be very fast, even spreading strongly, while to be published in mainstream newspapers, there needs to be an operating process; social networks freely copy information from mainstream newspapers; a segment of the population has a taste for receiving "hot" information quickly even though it lacks verification... According to the delegate, it is necessary to create conditions for the press to develop, not to let the press get stuck.

Delegate Pham Khanh Phong Lan agreed with the proposal of the inspection agency, which is to consider establishing a key multimedia press agency in large localities such as Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi, because these are two places with many large press agencies.

Delegate Tran Hoang Ngan (HCMC). Photo: DO TRUNG

Delegate Tran Hoang Ngan (HCMC) also proposed to study and supplement regulations on the establishment of key multimedia press agencies - this is a fairly popular type of world press; it is necessary to clearly define the conditions for the establishment of these strong press agencies, especially in large localities such as HCMC and Hanoi; at the same time, it is recommended to maintain large press brands that have prestige with readers such as Saigon Giai Phong Newspaper, Tuoi Tre Newspaper... Delegate Tran Hoang Ngan also emphasized the need to respect citizens' freedom of speech in the press.

There must be sanctions and regulations to protect victims of fake news.

Deputy Pham Trong Nhan (HCMC) said that the development of AI is requiring a reshaping of the role of the press. According to him, the new draft law only addresses the issue of press agencies and press teams, while the impacts of AI on journalism have not been mentioned in depth. In fact, AI can create "realistic" journalistic works with characters and authors. Therefore, the Deputy suggested that it is necessary to supplement the content of journalistic works using AI, along with regulations on the ethics of journalists using AI in their professional activities.

The delegate also said that there should be a mechanism to protect the rights of information recipients, because there is currently too much fake information, affecting social trust. There must be sanctions and regulations to protect victims of fake news, including the right to request correction, removal of false information, and compensation.

PHAN THAO

Source: https://www.sggp.org.vn/de-xuat-thi-diem-thanh-lap-co-quan-bao-chi-truyen-thong-chu-luc-da-phuong-tien-o-tphcm-ha-noi-post819589.html