The National Assembly passed the revised Press Law with new content on "press economics"

On the morning of December 10th, with 437 out of 440 attending delegates voting in favor, the National Assembly passed the amended Press Law, which includes additional policies for developing the press and ensuring resources for implementation, from financial mechanisms to infrastructure investment and tax incentives, in a more feasible manner.

The amended Press Law, comprising 4 chapters and 51 articles, will take effect from July 1, 2026. The law adds provisions stipulating that the State has preferential tax policies as prescribed by law. Tax incentives for the press are stipulated in the Corporate Income Tax Law, according to which the press enjoys a tax rate of 10%.

Regarding financial support for the press in carrying out political and public service tasks, the Law stipulates the State policy on assigning tasks, placing orders, bidding, and supporting transportation costs, publication, transmission, and broadcasting costs for the press to serve political, security, defense, cultural, information and propaganda tasks related to emergencies, foreign affairs, policy communication, serving teenagers, children, the hearing impaired, the visually impaired, ethnic minorities, areas with particularly difficult socio-economic conditions, remote areas, mountainous regions, border areas, islands, and other key tasks.

Results of the vote to pass the amended Press Law. (Photo: DUY LINH)

The amended Press Law stipulates eight sources of revenue for press agencies, including: revenue provided by the press's governing body; revenue from the sale of printed newspapers, the sale of rights to read, listen to, and view journalistic works and products, advertising, exchange and sale of content copyrights, and permission to exploit and use journalistic works; revenue from business activities, services, and partnerships of press agencies and their affiliated units; and revenue from financial activities and capital contributions to enterprises (if any).

In the report on the acceptance, explanation, and revision of the draft Law before the National Assembly's vote, the Chairman of the Culture and Social Affairs Committee, Nguyen Dac Vinh, clarified that the phrases "leading multimedia media agency" and "leading multimedia press agency" being used in various documents are not the names of the agencies but merely identify the "leading" status and "multimedia" nature of the six leading press agencies as defined in Decision No. 362/QD-TTg of the Prime Minister approving the National Plan for the Development and Management of the Press.

Based on the scope of the Law's regulation, which is the organization and operation of the press, the Standing Committee of the National Assembly directed that it be revised to "leading multi-media press agencies" to ensure accuracy and consistency.

Regarding the pilot program for a multi-media flagship press complex or corporation in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, the National Assembly Standing Committee stated that the Government has directed the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism to summarize the Plan for the Development and Management of the Press, and is expected to propose to the competent authorities to continue implementing some of the Plan's viewpoints and add new viewpoints, including the establishment of a multi-media flagship press agency in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.

Based on the direction and approval of competent authorities, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism will specify these contents in the Strategy for development and management of the press system, ensuring feasibility, consistency and conformity with the national press development orientation.

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Source: https://nhandan.vn/quoc-hoi-thong-qua-luat-bao-chi-sua-doi-voi-noi-dung-moi-ve-kinh-te-bao-chi-post929231.html