It is expected that Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City will be allowed to establish a key multimedia communication agency.

The National Assembly discussed in the hall the draft Law on Press (amended). Photo: media.quochoi.vn

Previously, at the group discussion session, many opinions of National Assembly delegates raised issues that needed attention to complete this Law project.

Clarifying public investment mechanisms for press agencies

Regarding the State's policy on press development (Article 10), some opinions said that the press development policy needs to be supplemented, specified and made specific, feasible, and suitable for the context of digital transformation and modern press development (10 opinions); there needs to be tax incentives and financial support for the press to carry out political and public service tasks and for investment in digital technology in modern press activities (5 opinions).

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism plans to incorporate and add to the draft Law the provision that the State has tax incentive policies in accordance with the law. Tax incentives for the press are stipulated in the Law on Corporate Income Tax. Accordingly, the press enjoys a tax rate of 10% (previously, only printed newspapers enjoyed a tax rate of 10%, other types of press were subject to a tax rate of 20%)...

Some opinions proposed to prescribe policies to prioritize key investments for key multimedia press and communication agencies (8 opinions).

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism plans to accept and clarify as follows: Clause 5, Article 16 of the draft Law stipulates that a key multimedia media agency is a press agency with many types of press and affiliated press agencies; with a specific financial mechanism. Clause 2, Article 10 of the draft Law stipulates that the State invests in the national digital press platform expected to be operated and managed by the key multimedia media agency.

There are opinions suggesting that it is necessary to clarify the State's public investment mechanism for press agencies, especially revolutionary press agencies that carry out the task of propagating major policies and guidelines. At the same time, it is necessary to clearly determine the proportion between the part guaranteed by the State and the part autonomous by the press agency; to avoid the situation where editorial offices have to completely finance and operate on their own, leading to the risk of commercialization, affecting the quality, orientation and role of the press (1 opinion).

Regarding these opinions, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism plans to accept and clarify as follows: Article 10 of the draft Law stipulates public investment policies for press development. In particular, regarding investment in the press, Clause 2, Article 10 of the draft Law stipulates that the State shall invest with focus and key areas in the following areas: Training and fostering human resources in expertise and profession, developing human resources for digital transformation of press and management of press activities, scientific research, application of modern technology for press agencies; national digital press platform; digital press data infrastructure; digital tools to monitor press activities in cyberspace.

Regarding financial support for the press to carry out political and public service tasks, Clause 3, Article 10 of the draft Law stipulates the State policy on assigning tasks, ordering, bidding and supporting transportation costs, costs of posting, transmission and broadcasting for the press to serve political, security, national defense, cultural, information and propaganda tasks on emergency situations, foreign information, policy communication, serving teenagers, children, the deaf and blind, ethnic minorities, areas with particularly difficult socio-economic conditions, remote areas, mountainous areas, border areas, islands and other important tasks. The level of autonomy of press agencies is implemented according to regulations on public service units.

National Assembly deputies working in the hall. Photo: media.quochoi.vn

Proposal to pilot a model of a multi-media press group or corporation

Regarding press agencies (Article 16), at the group discussion session, there was a proposal to add a separate provision in the law specifically regulating key press agencies, multimedia or special press agencies, allowing these agencies to maintain independent legal status and not be mechanically merged (2 opinions).

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism plans to accept and clarify as follows: Clause 5, Article 16 of the draft Law stipulates that “A key multimedia media agency is a press agency with many types of press and affiliated press agencies; has a specific financial mechanism; is established in accordance with the Press System Development and Management Strategy approved by the Prime Minister”. Clause 3, Article 16 of the draft Law stipulates: A press agency has legal status, a seal, and an account in accordance with the provisions of law.

Some opinions suggested piloting the model of a multi-media press group or corporation in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City (4 opinions).

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism plans to receive and clarify as follows: The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism is summarizing the Press Development and Management Plan, and plans to propose to competent authorities to continue implementing some of the planning's viewpoints, while also adding new viewpoints, including the content that Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City are allowed to establish key multimedia media agencies. Based on the direction and approval of competent authorities, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism will specify in the Press System Development and Management Strategy.

There is a proposal to clarify the organization and operation mechanism of provincial radio and television agencies in Clause 7, Article 16 (1 comment).

Regarding this opinion, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism plans to report and clarify as follows: Clause 6, Article 16 of the draft Law stipulates that press, radio and television agencies are press agencies under provincial and municipal Party Committees. The organizational and operational mechanism of press, radio and television agencies has been stipulated in Regulation No. 373-QD/TU dated September 23, 2025 of the Secretariat stipulating the functions, tasks, and organizational structure of press, radio and television agencies of provincial and municipal Party Committees...

Source: https://hanoimoi.vn/du-kien-kien-nghi-ha-noi-va-tp-ho-chi-minh-duoc-thanh-lap-co-quan-truyen-thong-chu-luc-da-phuong-tien-724521.html