Amendments to the Press Law will include a section on "the economics of journalism".

Minister of Information and Communications Nguyen Manh Hung said that when amending the Press Law in the near future, the Ministry will include a section on the economics of journalism, allowing large media organizations to commercially exploit their content and media services.

On November 12th, Minister of Information and Communications Nguyen Manh Hung answered questions from National Assembly deputies. Debating the issue of the economics of journalism, Deputy Do Chi Nghia (Phu Yen delegation) argued that state support is necessary but needs clear direction, focusing on supporting the press in effectively fulfilling its role of communicating policies, rather than just being a source of revenue to maintain operations.

Mr. Do Chi Nghia asks questions (Photo: Quang Vinh)

According to Mr. Nghia, the effectiveness of policy communication is the most important thing. Providing funding to media outlets to carry out policy communication tasks is necessary, but it must be ensured that the press is self-reliant and competitive with other information channels, especially social media.

According to Minister of Information and Communications Nguyen Manh Hung, the press has now shifted to seeking its own revenue sources to survive and develop. Currently, 30% of media outlets receive funding from the state budget, while 70% are self-sufficient. However, many influential media outlets do not receive support and are entirely dependent on the market.

Mr. Nguyen Manh Hung answers questions from the press (Quang Vinh)

Therefore, the state commissioning media coverage and paying for it is a form of support for journalism. However, the ideal journalistic model is one that stands on two legs, combining receiving commissions from the state with independently seeking revenue sources in the market.

Continuing the questioning, National Assembly Deputy Nguyen Thi Yen Nhi (Ben Tre Delegation) requested that the Minister of Information and Communications provide solutions to address the issue of sensational, offensive, and false reporting by citizens, as well as numerous advertisements that violate moral standards and copyright, negatively impacting consumers. What solutions are there to enhance the role of the press and reduce these negative practices?

Regarding this issue, Mr. Hung argued that the emergence of social media has taken away the profession of journalism. Social media delivers news faster, and there are tens of millions of "reporters" who don't have to pay. Therefore, if journalism wants to maintain its position, it needs to do things differently from social media, returning to the core values ​​of journalism: authenticity, accuracy, objectivity, accountability, and professional ethics. Instead of just reporting news, it needs to analyze, evaluate, offer solutions, and guide and direct society.

“The press needs to improve the quality of its content so that information can guide public opinion on social media. This is the guiding role of revolutionary journalism. The press needs to use social media technology to do news, considering social media as an environment for appearance. On social media platforms, news agencies need to appear to disseminate information more effectively,” Mr. Hung said.

Ms. Ta Thi Yen raises questions (Photo: Quang Vinh)

Meanwhile, National Assembly Deputy Ta Thi Yen ( Dien Bien Delegation) asked Minister Nguyen Manh Hung to explain the direction to improve the quality of traditional journalism and ensure the pioneering role of journalism on the cultural and ideological front, in the context of fierce competition with online platforms.

Regarding this issue, Mr. Hung stated that revolutionary journalism must be supported by the revolution. Many years ago, when the market economy was just beginning in Vietnam, businesses had to advertise to sell their products, spending a considerable amount on advertising, and at that time, the only medium was the press. Despite their desire for greater autonomy and flexibility, traditional media outlets are facing a major challenge as revenue from online advertising is being dominated by social media. This becomes even more difficult as the number of media outlets increases while revenue decreases.

Mr. Hung also informed that, according to the Prime Minister's Directive on policy communication, ministries, departments, and localities must consider communication as their responsibility and must allocate annual budgets for its implementation.

“Previously, we thought this was the responsibility of the press, and we didn't know where they got the money from or how to allocate budget for it. This needs to change. Therefore, since last year, agencies have increased the budget for the press. When amending the Press Law in the near future, the Ministry will include a section on the economics of journalism, allowing large media organizations to commercially exploit content and media fields,” Mr. Hung said.

Mr. Hung also argued that if the press chases after social media, it will fall behind. Therefore, the press must adopt a different approach: returning to its core values, using digital technology, reclaiming ground, increasing readership, and attracting advertising.

Recalling that the press planning document includes a section stating that the State will focus its investment on six key media outlets to become media powerhouses, creating special conditions and mechanisms for them, Mr. Hung hoped that the National Assembly would support the Government in developing special mechanisms for these key media outlets.

Source: https://daidoanket.vn/sua-doi-luat-bao-chi-se-co-mot-muc-ve-kinh-te-bao-chi-10294299.html