Revising the Press Law: From protecting sources to applying AI.

HNN.VN - While regulations protecting information providers and personal data have been mentioned to some extent in the draft law, the current regulations are still lacking in specificity, feasibility, and do not form a sufficiently strong legal framework to protect citizens from risks in an increasingly complex information environment.

Báo Thừa Thiên Huế•25/11/2025

Reporters from Hue Newspaper, Radio and Television are working in Quang Dien commune.

Representative Nguyen Thi Suu - Deputy Head of the Hue City National Assembly Delegation - made this statement when speaking about the amended Press Law. This is not only an issue of concern to journalists but also to public opinion.

Clarifying regulations to protect informants

After carefully studying the draft law, Ms. Suu focused on analyzing the protection of personal information in Article 31 concerning the responsibility of press agencies when opening content channels on the internet, noting that current regulations do not include an obligation to protect the personal information of information providers. In the context of the press's strong shift to the digital environment, a large amount of citizens' information has been transferred through online channels, from complaints to investigative documents, photos, videos , and identification data. This leads to the clear consequence that information providers are easily identified when press agencies are subjected to cyberattacks or have poor management.

Therefore, Ms. Suu proposed adding two specific provisions to Article 31 regarding the obligation to protect personal information: prohibiting the disclosure or misuse of personal information of information providers unless they consent or at the written request of a judicial authority; and requiring media outlets to take measures to protect identity, especially when publishing sensitive information. “This is a universal standard in accordance with international practice, consistent with international conventions on civil and political rights, and in line with the law on personal data protection,” Ms. Suu emphasized.

Regarding Clause 3 of Article 32, Ms. Suu pointed out that while it currently allows the publication of information related to ongoing investigations, there is no mechanism to protect the informants, creating a major problem. In investigative journalism, many anonymous sources provide information with the desire to protect the public interest. However, in reality, many informants are threatened, retaliated against, attacked on social media, have their identities revealed when the press uses information carelessly, or have their identities exposed at investigative agencies because there are no regulations requiring them to conceal information.

Clause 3 also fails to define the responsibility for protecting informants, lacks provisions for handling leaked identities, and does not include any obligation to compensate for damages. Therefore, Ms. Suu proposed rewriting Clause 3 to clearly stipulate that the press has an obligation to protect informants involved in ongoing investigations; and to add the obligation to apologize, correct the information, and compensate for damages if the disclosure of identity causes harm to the informant.

Clearer regulations on the use of AI by the press.

Regarding the protection of Clause 4, Article 32, the Deputy Head of the Hue City National Assembly Delegation noted that the regulation requiring the press to protect the identity of information providers only addresses the principle, lacking clarity on the scope and extent of protection, and failing to establish a coordination mechanism between the press and judicial agencies. This easily leads to a situation where no agency takes ultimate responsibility, and information providers remain at significant risk. Therefore, it is proposed that the scope and form of identity protection be clearly defined through measures such as anonymity, information encryption, legal support when information providers are sued or investigated, and personal safety support if they are threatened.

In addition, a new provision has been added stipulating a coordination mechanism between the press and judicial authorities: press agencies must cooperate by providing necessary information so that judicial authorities can protect informants, while simultaneously refraining from disclosing personal information without permission.

Referring to the legal liability for publishing false information in Article 35, Representative Nguyen Thi Suu pointed out that this article currently only stipulates the obligation to correct false information when the press publishes it, but it does not clearly define the responsibility for compensation, correction, and confidentiality of the information provider's identity when disputes arise.

According to Ms. Suu, in reality, in many cases, information providers are severely affected, especially when the press obtains information from them without verification or handles the information irresponsibly. Therefore, it is necessary to add to Clause 1 of Article 35 the obligation to protect the identity of information providers even when the information source is false; and to add sanctions for press agencies that fail to or delay corrections, including administrative penalties or compensation requirements.

"Countries with developed press systems like the UK, Japan, and Canada all impose strict legal responsibilities on the press when using false information, and Vietnam needs to follow this direction to ensure effectiveness," Ms. Suu cited as an example.

Another issue of concern to the female National Assembly representative was the application of artificial intelligence (AI) in journalism. She argued that while Clause 3 of Article 39 on copyright in journalism mentions the use of AI, the current regulations are too rudimentary, given the enormous risks involved. Therefore, Ms. Suu proposed rewriting Clause 3 of Article 39 to clearly stipulate that the use of AI must comply with the Law on Personal Data Protection and related regulations. She also suggested adding the obligation of media organizations to control AI, and to be responsible for the accuracy, objectivity, and professional ethics when using this technology.

N. MINH

Source: https://huengaynay.vn/chinh-polit-xa-hoi/theo-dong-thoi-su/sua-doi-luat-bao-chi-tu-bao-ve-nguon-tin-den-ung-dung-ai-160294.html