Review and evaluate emerging inadequacies in regulations of legal policies on press and publishing.

Reporting at the working session, a representative of the Ministry of Information and Communications said that 2023 is the year when the world situation continues to fluctuate in a complex and unpredictable manner. The domestic situation begins to have positive changes, but the economy is still heavily affected by the world context.

Review and evaluate irregularities arising from the provisions of the law on press and publishing, image 1 — The Standing Committee of the National Assembly's Committee on Culture and Education had a working session with the Ministry of Information and Communications and a number of press agencies. Photo: Nghia Duc

Regarding the results of performing tasks in the press sector, the Ministry of Information and Communications issued Directive 01/CT-BTTTT on the development orientation of the information and communication industry in 2023, providing specific orientations, tasks, and solutions in the press and communication sector.

Accordingly, the press continues to play an important role in honestly reflecting the mainstream of Vietnamese society, creating social consensus and trust, and creating the aspiration for a strong Vietnam to become a developed industrial country by 2045. Innovate management work in the direction of increasing the application of technology to measure and evaluate information trends, manage and regulate information in the direction of "large-scale management".

Up to now, the country has 807 press agencies (138 newspapers, 669 magazines). Currently, press agencies also face shortcomings in legal documents on press and advertising. Press agencies operate under the model of public service units, carry out information and propaganda according to political tasks but still have to pay relatively high corporate income tax, corporate income tax for print press activities is 10%, for radio, television and electronic press activities is 20%. In addition, regulations on advertising in the press also have shortcomings, some legal regulations on press are not suitable for the context of strong development of digital media...

Review and evaluate irregularities arising from the provisions of the law on press and publishing, image 2 — The Committee for Culture and Education worked with the Ministry of Information and Communications, Vietnam Television, Voice of Vietnam, and Vietnam News Agency on the implementation of tasks in 2023 and planned work in 2024 in the fields of information, journalism, and publishing. Photo: Nghia Duc

Through discussion, the Committee on Culture and Education acknowledged and highly appreciated the report preparation work of the Ministry of Information and Communications, Vietnam Television, Voice of Vietnam, and Vietnam News Agency. The content of the reports basically followed the functions, tasks, and powers of the Ministry and the three news and press agencies.

On that basis, the Standing Committee acknowledged the results that the units have directed the implementation and achieved in the first 9 months of 2023 in terms of state management of information, communication, publishing and press activities; basically agreed with the comments on the shortcomings, limitations and difficulties in 2023 and the planned work program for 2024; acknowledged the recommendations and proposals of the units to perfect the legal system and improve the effectiveness of state management.

Speaking at the end of the working session, Vice Chairman of the Committee for Culture and Education Ta Van Ha said that in order to contribute to further improving the effectiveness of management work, ensuring the development of a feasible and realistic 2024 plan, the Ministry of Information and Communications needs to have many innovative activities, further enhancing the effectiveness and efficiency in the field of press and publishing; strengthening the direction and orientation work so that the press can well fulfill its mission of revolutionary press, creating consensus in society.

At the same time, strengthen the review and comprehensive assessment of arising inadequacies in legal and policy regulations, and proactively propose amendments.

Review and evaluate irregularities arising from the provisions of the law on press and publishing, image 3 — Vice Chairman of the Committee for Culture and Education Ta Van Ha. Photo: Nghia Duc

For press agencies, Vice Chairman of the Committee for Culture and Education Ta Van Ha suggested that it is necessary to actively innovate organization and operation, implement autonomy in line with development trends; strengthen digital transformation, proactively adapt to technological developments, actively invest in infrastructure, improve operational efficiency and save costs; in order to improve content quality, innovate information methods and ensure political and ideological values... in the coming time.

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