Journalist Ho Quang Loi:

Journalist Ho Quang Loi, former Standing Vice President of the Vietnam Journalists Association and Vice President of the Vietnam Digital Media Association, shared with Hanoi Moi Newspaper his views on the new developments and the urgent need to establish leading multi-media news agencies in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.

- What is the significance of the Press Law that the National Assembly has just passed at this time, Mr. Ho Quang Loi?

- I am particularly interested in this revision of the Press Law. In fact, I have attended many discussions and provided expert input in seminars organized by the National Assembly's Committee on Culture and Society. Today, the National Assembly officially passed the revised Press Law. In my opinion, this is a very necessary time, because the Press Law No. 103/2016/QH13 has been in effect for nearly 10 years, while journalistic and media activities have undergone significant changes compared to before.

In my assessment, this revised law adequately updates, supplements, and adjusts the pressing issues of journalistic life in the context of the rapidly developing press and media. The new law will create a favorable legal framework for the development of the press, enabling it to contribute more effectively to the building and development of the country.

- What issues in this new Press Law are of particular concern to you?

- First of all, I pay particular attention to the regulations related to social media, digital platforms, and artificial intelligence. These are new areas that have developed rapidly in recent times, and this amendment to the Press Law has addressed them quite clearly, providing specific provisions for handling them.

Furthermore, I am deeply concerned about the establishment of leading multimedia news agencies. This is a major requirement stemming from current journalistic practices, especially after the implementation of the Press Development Plan in 2019. Simultaneously, the streamlining of administrative apparatuses at all levels is directly impacting the press system, particularly in provinces and cities. With Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, I pay even more special attention, as these are the largest press and media centers in the country.

- In your opinion, how should the journalistic model in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City be implemented to be both streamlined and modern, meeting the information demands of the new era?

- I believe this issue is urgent. Although the revised Press Law does not explicitly stipulate whether these two major cities should establish leading multimedia press agencies, in my opinion, after the amended Press Law is passed, the Government and relevant agencies need to develop a strategic plan to establish leading multimedia press agencies in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.

The primary reason is that both localities have very large populations, resulting in a high demand for information. Furthermore, they are home to the highest concentration of media outlets in the country. These two centers also boast numerous media organizations with long-standing traditions, making significant contributions to national construction and defense over several decades, and continuing to play their roles effectively today. In addition, these two cities have reputable and effective media outlets that are financially self-sufficient. In Hanoi, there are HanoiMoi Newspaper, Kinh Te & Do Thi Newspaper, Hanoi Radio and Television Station, etc.; while in Ho Chi Minh City, there are Saigon Giai Phong Newspaper, Nguoi Lao Dong Newspaper, Tuoi Tre Newspaper, etc.

Media outlets that meet all three criteria—"strong brand," "financial independence," and "high social prestige and effectiveness"—should be given the opportunity to develop.

I hope that Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City will soon establish leading multi-media news agencies, similar to the model of the six central leading multi-media agencies. This model would include affiliated news agencies with independent legal status, ensuring both efficiency and the ability to meet the new demands of modern journalism. I have also repeatedly suggested that, in the long term, leading multi-media news agencies should aim towards a media conglomerate model, as this is an inevitable development trend.

- In your opinion, how will the amended Press Law support the development of media organizations?

- This new Press Law clearly stipulates that the State will continue to support and prioritize the development of the press. This is very welcome. First of all, the preferential tax rate of 10% for the press is an important policy; in my opinion, in the future this tax rate could even be further reduced to create more room for the press to develop more strongly.

In addition, the law also addresses policies aimed at promoting the economics of journalism: supporting human resource training, especially in digital media; building and providing digital platforms for media organizations to utilize and develop; expanding ordering and bidding mechanisms, thereby helping media organizations improve their financial autonomy and create new products to serve society.

One point I consider crucial is that this revision has incorporated content on artificial intelligence (AI) into the Press Law. The press can certainly integrate AI to increase operational efficiency, but it must comply with the Intellectual Property Law, regulations on AI, and especially uphold journalistic ethics. These requirements have been codified into law, creating the necessary foundation for the sustainable development of the press in the digital age.

The amended Press Law may not have completely resolved all the pressing issues facing the press, but it has created the necessary legal framework from which to enact direct, specific, and appropriate policies for the development of the press. Over the past period, the press and public opinion have closely followed and welcomed the passage of the amended Press Law.

I believe that with these innovations, the press will continue to make worthy contributions to the Party's revolutionary cause, effectively serving the building, protection, and development of the country in the new era.

- We sincerely thank journalist Ho Quang Loi!

Source: https://hanoimoi.vn/nha-bao-ho-quang-loi-cap-thiet-thanh-lap-co-quan-bao-chi-chu-luc-da-phuong-tien-tai-hai-dia-phuong-lon-726319.html