Clarifying regulations on "multimedia key media agencies"

Currently, there are 6 agencies identified as key players in building towards multimedia, including: Vietnam Television, Voice of Vietnam, Vietnam News Agency, Nhan Dan Newspaper, People's Army Newspaper and People's Police Newspaper.

On the afternoon of October 11, continuing the 3rd Plenary Session, the National Assembly 's Committee on Culture and Society gave opinions on the review of the draft Law on Press (amended).

Chairman of the National Assembly's Committee on Culture and Social Affairs Nguyen Dac Vinh chaired the meeting.

At the meeting, the Committee unanimously assessed that amending the Press Law is necessary to institutionalize the Party's policies and guidelines on building a professional, humane, and modern press, while overcoming the limitations and shortcomings of the current law. The draft law dossier was assessed as being carefully prepared, serious, and ensuring progress.

One of the key issues discussed at the meeting was the regulation on “multimedia key media agencies.”

The Draft Law defines this as a press agency with many types of press, having affiliated press agencies and enjoying special financial mechanisms according to Government regulations.

These agencies must operate in accordance with the Development Plan for the network of press, radio, television, electronic information and publishing establishments approved by the Prime Minister .

Chairman of the National Assembly’s Committee on Culture and Society Nguyen Dac Vinh said the concept of “key force” has been mentioned in many documents and received high consensus. Clearly identifying key multimedia agencies is necessary to have separate policies and mechanisms to promote the role of information orientation.

There are currently 6 agencies identified as key players in the development of multimedia, including: Vietnam Television, Voice of Vietnam, Vietnam News Agency, Nhan Dan Newspaper, People's Army Newspaper and People's Police Newspaper. The draft Law assigns the Government to specify the list and operating mechanism of these agencies.

Vice Chairman of the National Assembly's Committee on Culture and Society Ta Van Ha suggested that it is necessary to clarify the difference between a mainstream multimedia media agency and a multimedia convergence newsroom; at the same time, clarify the development mechanism for other press agencies with the potential to expand in the multimedia direction.

Explaining at the meeting, Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Le Hai Binh said that the drafting agency had consulted international experience on the model of press corporations and consortiums. However, for now, the draft Law still closely follows the Government's Plan on developing the system of key media agencies. According to Mr. Le Hai Binh, the model of press corporations can be considered after the Law is promulgated and the development practice "matures."

Regarding press economics, Chairman of the National Assembly's Committee on Culture and Society Nguyen Dac Vinh emphasized the need to build legal mechanisms and policies to help press agencies exploit their strengths to develop, have sustainable sources of income, and contribute to financial autonomy.

The Draft Law has added many provisions to remove difficulties and expand revenue sources for the press such as support for investment and finance from the State; expanding revenue sources; linking and cooperating; advertising. However, the Committee suggested that it is necessary to add the concept of "press economy" to serve as a basis for completing a synchronous policy system, both ensuring the characteristics of revolutionary press and promoting sustainable development.

For local press, the draft Law for the first time specifically regulates this type. Accordingly, local press agencies are agencies under provincial and municipal Party Committees, and can have many types of press. Local press management is carried out by localities, but the principles and purposes of operation must be unified nationwide and comply with the Press Law.

Affirming that the drafting agency will continue to research and absorb as much as possible the opinions of delegates to complete the draft Press Law (amended), Deputy Minister Le Hai Binh emphasized that the goal of amending the Press Law is to build a humane, professional, and modern press; create space for the press to develop as well as conditions for journalists to make a living from their profession; and at the same time help the public access official, timely, and accurate information.

Also in the afternoon session on October 11, the National Assembly's Committee on Culture and Society gave opinions on the review of the draft Law on Drug Prevention and Control (amended)./.

(TTXVN/Vietnam+)

Source: https://www.vietnamplus.vn/lam-ro-quy-dinh-ve-co-quan-truyen-thong-chu-luc-da-phuong-tien-post1069726.vnp