According to the assessment of the Department of Information and Communications of Thanh Hoa, in recent years, in addition to working with the Journalist Card as prescribed, many press agencies still use the form of issuing letters of introduction to reporters and collaborators to work, contact for work and request information.
Thanh Hoa strengthens contact and information provision to the press
However, besides press agencies and journalists who strictly comply with legal regulations and professional ethics when working, there are still a number of press agencies, reporters and collaborators who have abused and distorted the issuance and use of letters of introduction (reusing them many times for many contents, many agencies, units, etc.); the content of the request for information stated on the letter of introduction is not in accordance with the principles and purposes stated in the press operation license; the request for providing records and documents is like an inspection and investigation agency, exceeding the functions and powers of the press agency.
Some press agencies still allow reporters and collaborators to use some documents attached to their letters of introduction that are not official documents of the press agency, with many contents requesting information. This situation causes frustration for agencies, organizations, localities, and businesses, affecting the reputation of genuine press agencies and journalists.
In order to continue to improve the effectiveness of the implementation of the 2016 Press Law and related guiding and directing documents; at the same time, support agencies and units to properly implement and comply with current legal provisions in receiving, working with and providing information to the press, the Department of Information and Communications has just issued Document No. 397/STTTT-TTBCXB dated February 27, 2024 guiding a number of contents, specifically as follows:
(1) Regarding contact, work, and information provision to the press: In order to shorten processing time, be public, transparent, and optimize coordination and interaction processes between state agencies and press agencies, agencies and units will increase the reception and prioritize the handling of requests for information, requests for work, and coordination of press agencies in electronic documents through the National Document Interconnection Axis, from March 1, 2024; contributing to promoting digital transformation of the press, making it more convenient and faster for press agencies to contact and work, and contributing to the early elimination of methods of requesting information, contacting for work that are not transparent and in violation of regulations.
Agencies and units coordinate, provide, and transparently provide information for information requests in accordance with regulations, principles, and purposes; promptly handle information requests from press agencies in accordance with regulations, ensuring that press agencies have access to official and accurate information; publish information of those who speak and provide information to the press (heads, spokespeople, and authorized spokespeople) on the unit's website.
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When someone introduces himself or herself as a press reporter to register to work, collect information, and do communication and advertising work in the press, the units should pay attention to checking documents according to regulations, not allowing the phenomenon of impersonating the press to carry out other purposes, and at the same time consider providing information content that is consistent with the principles and purposes of the newspaper or magazine. Specifically:
- Reporters are required to present a valid Press Card issued by the Ministry of Information and Communications . In case they do not have a Press Card, they must present a Letter of Introduction from the press agency, signed by the Editor-in-Chief or Deputy Editor-in-Chief, along with their identification documents for comparison and verification. The Letter of Introduction must be valid, stating the name of the agency or organization being introduced to work, the content and specific working time.
- In case the reporter cannot present one of the two above documents, the units and localities have the right to consider cooperation or refuse to provide information. In case there are signs of impersonation, coercion, or harassment, report to the police or the Department of Information and Communications for verification.
Note: Other types of documents, such as: Reporter cards, membership cards, work cards, press agency access cards, collaborator cards... are not valid to replace the Journalist Card and Letter of Introduction when working in journalism (according to the instructions of the Ministry of Information and Communications in Official Dispatch No. 3366/BTTTT-CBC dated September 28, 2016). If necessary, you can photocopy and compare the above cards with the Journalist Card issued by the Ministry of Information and Communications (the card model is announced with Decision No. 2279/QD-BTTTT dated December 23, 2020 of the Minister of Information and Communications) to distinguish and avoid confusion.
- When there is not enough and accurate information to provide at the request of reporters, the authorized spokesperson of the unit or locality shall proactively arrange a specific working schedule to provide information directly or through other forms; increase the reception and prioritize the resolution of requests for information, requests for work, and coordination of work of press agencies in electronic documents through the National Document Interconnection Axis... The arrangement of the schedule must ensure the time and content according to regulations.
- Make photocopies of the Press Card or letter of introduction and related documents and information to keep work records, serving the inspection and evaluation work of State management agencies on the press.
(2) Press response work: Agencies and units assign staff to regularly monitor and grasp press information reflecting related to the field and locality in charge to advise on handling and implementing information response. Including:
- When the press reports information objectively and accurately, the unit or locality needs to accept it to correct errors and shortcomings. At the same time, there must be a written response to accept the content that the press agency has reported (and send it to the Department of Information and Communications for synthesis and monitoring); promptly provide the results of handling the issues raised by the press to the reporting press agency. For complex issues that require a long time to resolve, provide initial handling information and the expected content of the work to be done in the coming time to the press agency.
- When units and localities have grounds to believe that the press agency has reported false information, distorted, slandered or caused misunderstandings that affect the reputation, honor and dignity of individuals and units, they have the right to send written feedback to the press agency, the press management agency, the state press management agency (Ministry of Information and Communications; Department of Information and Communications), or file a lawsuit in Court under Article 43 of the 2016 Press Law.
The summary of the document sent to the press agency must clearly state "Response to the information reported by the press"; the content of the document must not violate the law, offend the reputation of the press agency, the honor and dignity of the author, or the press work.
Thanh Hoa Department of Information and Communications deploys press management work
(3) About advertising in newspapers:
- Advertising in the press is a legitimate need of agencies, units and localities as stipulated by law. If both parties have a need and agree on advertising and posting articles, it shall be carried out in accordance with the provisions of law. In case there is no need, they have the right to refuse advertising or similar media services.
- When advertising, it is necessary to clearly define the content and choose the appropriate unit to follow the correct procedure and not violate the provisions of the law on advertising.
- In case someone claims to be a press reporter and registers to work (via phone, email, text...) to do media or advertising work, it is necessary to check documents according to regulations to avoid impersonation and fraud.
(4) Be vigilant against acts of impersonating press reporters and taking advantage of the name of press reporters for personal gain: In the process of working with reporters or people claiming to be reporters, if there are signs of suspicion of using the name or impersonating the press to commit illegal acts, it is necessary to immediately report to the police or the Department of Information and Communications for coordination in verification and handling according to regulations.
If you need assistance, please contact the Department of Information and Communications for support:
- Address: 6th Floor - Thanh Hoa Province Information Technology Center Building, Nam Song Ma Avenue, Ai Son 2 Street, Dong Hai Ward, Thanh Hoa City.
- Contact phone number: Department of Information Management - Press - Publishing (contact Ms. Le Thi Thanh Binh, Head of Department, phone: 0904.569776; Mr. Nguyen Manh Hung, specialist, phone: 0912.162699). Or you can report via the hotline of the Department of Press - Ministry of Information and Communications: Tel: 0865.282828; email: [email protected].
Ha Anh
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