Amending the Law, creating a favorable legal corridor for press development

Tomorrow morning (June 10), in Hanoi, the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University, Hanoi, in coordination with the Ministry of Information and Communications (Department of Press, Information and Communications Magazine, VietNamNet Newspaper) and Hanoi Law University (Ministry of Justice) will organize a national scientific conference: "Scientific basis and practice of revising the 2016 Press Law".

The workshop is part of the annual scientific workshop series "June Journalism Forum" organized by the University of Social Sciences and Humanities and the Information and Communications Magazine.

Journalists working at an event. Photo: Duc Thanh

The 2016 Press Law took effect on January 1, 2017. After 5 years of implementation, the Ministry of Information and Communications has received many positive reviews from ministries, branches, localities and press agencies. The 2016 Press Law and documents guiding the implementation of the Law have created a legal corridor for press activities to develop rapidly, and the people's freedom of press and freedom of speech in the press are guaranteed and promoted within the framework of the Constitution and laws.

However, in the implementation process, there are still many shortcomings. The Ministry of Information and Communications has sent Report No. 57 dated March 30, 2022 to the Government on the results of research and review of the 2016 Press Law and recommendations for amendments and supplements.

The report pointed out 27 contents and groups of contents with inappropriate regulations that are not in line with the reality of press law. These issues show that it is necessary to amend and supplement the 2016 Press Law to suit the reality, in order to create a favorable legal corridor for the press to operate and develop; at the same time, overcome existing shortcomings and inadequacies, and supplement regulations to promptly adjust arising problems in practice.

The most important legal framework for the press to operate

Dr. Phan Van Kien, Director of the Institute of Journalism and Communication, University of Social Sciences and Humanities, co-organizer of the Conference, said: “The 2nd June Press Forum has mentioned a very topical and hot topic of the Vietnamese press today. The Press Law is the most important legal framework for the press to operate in the context of society and the press itself having many fluctuations, continuous and multi-dimensional transformations like today."

Journalist Tran Anh Tu, Deputy Editor-in-Chief in charge of the Information and Communications Magazine, commented: "In order for the amendment and completion of the 2016 Press Law to keep up with the development speed of modern journalism, it is necessary to have the active participation in both theory and practice of a large number of research experts, policy makers, managers and journalists and lawmakers nationwide."

The workshop will address key issues such as:

Evaluate 5 years of implementing the 2016 Press Law and analyze existing limitations that need to be comprehensively revised to meet the requirements of press development in the coming period.

Analyze and forecast, provide scientific and practical arguments on the development trends of modern journalism, difficulties and challenges in implementing major strategies and policies for developing Vietnamese journalism (Plan for national press development and management to 2025, Strategy for digital transformation of journalism to 2025 and orientation to 2030...) and scientific basis for amending and supplementing the Press Law.

Exchange and share lessons learned, propose solutions, mechanisms and methods for implementing the Press Law to improve the quality of work content, fulfill social responsibilities and preserve the purity of professional ethics...

Speakers at the workshop include: Mr. Nguyen Thanh Lam, Deputy Minister of Information and Communications; Mr. Nguyen Thanh Tinh, Deputy Minister of Justice; Dr. Nguyen Thi Ngoc Bich - Head of the Department of Administrative Law, Hanoi Law University; Associate Professor, Dr. Do Thi Thu Hang - Head of the Professional Department, Vietnam Journalists Association; Dr. Phan Van Kien - Director of the Institute of Journalism and Communication, University of Social Sciences and Humanities; Ms. Nguyen Thi Mai Huong, Deputy Director of the Hanoi Department of Information and Communications; Dr. Nguyen The Lam, Deputy Director of the Quang Ninh Media Center.

In addition, the workshop also received contributions from nearly 80 experts, journalists, lawyers, and researchers in the fields of journalism and law.

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