Amending the 2016 Press Law to shape a new vision for press development

*Deputy Minister of Information and Communications Nguyen Thanh Lam delivered the opening speech at the Workshop.*

The workshop was organized by 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 ).

The event is part of the annual scientific conference series "June Press Forum" organized by the University of Social Sciences and Humanities and the Information and Communication Magazine. At the same time, it is also a conference to summarize the implementation of the 2016 Press Law, one of the 2023 work programs of the Ministry of Information and Communications assigned by the Government in conjunction with the task of proposing the drafting of a law amending and supplementing the 2016 Press Law.

Speaking at the opening of the workshop, Deputy Minister of Information and Communications Nguyen Thanh Lam affirmed the necessity of summarizing the implementation of the 2016 Press Law in order to shape new viewpoints, visions, and plans for the development of Vietnamese press under the leadership of the Party.

The 2016 Press Law took effect from January 1, 2017. After 6 years of implementation, the Ministry of Information and Communications has received many positive reviews from ministries, 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 remarkably, and the people's freedom of the press and freedom of speech in the press are guaranteed and promoted within the framework of the Constitution and laws.

z4420590544815_bce85be74681f45039e1d3db434d8650-1-(1).jpg — *Dr. Phan Van Kien, Director of the Institute of Journalism and Communication, University of Social Sciences and Humanities, spoke at the Workshop.*

However, in the implementation process, there are still many shortcomings because the 2016 Press Law has not kept up with the innovation in science and information technology in the digital age. The Ministry of Information and Communications has issued Report No. 57/BC-BTTTT dated March 30, 2022 reporting 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 consistent with the practice of press law.

These issues show that it is necessary to amend and supplement the 2016 Press Law to suit reality, in order to create a favorable legal corridor for the press to operate and develop; at the same time, overcome shortcomings and inadequacies, and supplement regulations to promptly adjust issues arising in practice, especially to cover the development of modern media and journalism.

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

z4420581437332_2ca5eedf13aa466e3e29dcf172059ef4(1).jpg — *Conference Scene*

At the workshop, delegates delved into the evaluation of 6 years of implementing the 2016 Press Law and analyzed the current situation of state management and press activities and suggested groups of issues for the task of proposing amendments and supplements to the 2016 Press Law to meet the requirements of press development in the coming period.

Experts also analyzed and forecasted, provided scientific and practical arguments on the development trends of modern journalism, the difficulties and challenges in implementing major strategies and policies for the development of Vietnamese journalism (National Press Development and Management Plan to 2025, Digital Press Transformation Strategy to 2025 and orientation to 2030...) and the scientific basis for amending and supplementing the Press Law.

The workshop is also an opportunity to 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.

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