Establishing a mechanism to protect occupational safety for journalists

National Assembly delegate Hoang Thi Thanh Thuy said that, to ensure the substance of the right of "journalists to be protected by law in their professional activities", the Draft Law on Press (amended) needs to concretize this principle into clear legal obligations, aiming to establish a mechanism to protect professional safety for journalists.

Commenting on the draft Press Law (amended) at the 10th session of the 15th National Assembly , many National Assembly deputies said that, compared to the current Law, the draft Press Law (amended) has added provisions on press activities in cyberspace. This is a new point that promptly updates the requirements for state management in the context of digital media and digital transformation of the press.

In addition, the regulations on key multimedia media agencies demonstrate innovative thinking in state management of the press, showing an approach to the trend of integrating media and press on a modern technology platform, in the context of digital transformation and increasing information competition.

The Law on Press (amended) also supplements the mechanism for developing the press economy , allowing press and media agencies to expand their revenue sources to overcome difficulties in current operations; strengthens regulations on copyright and responsibility in the digital environment, initially mentioning the responsibility of cross-border platforms.

Delegate Huynh Thanh Phuong - National Assembly Delegation of Tay Ninh Province

Commenting on the draft Law, delegate Huynh Thanh Phuong - National Assembly Delegation of Tay Ninh province said that, from current practice, it is necessary to clearly define the nature and role of the press in digital society and clarify the function of orientation, supervision and active social criticism of the press to be worthy of being a forum of the People.

According to the delegate, currently, every individual online can post news, broadcast videos and comment; social media platforms produce content similar to journalism but are not subject to any legal responsibility or professional ethics. Meanwhile, mainstream journalism is constrained by many factors, leading to confusion between true and false information and fake news spreading at a rapid pace.

Delegates suggested that the draft law should clearly stipulate the legal responsibilities for tax and copyright obligations of cross-border social platforms when posting and broadcasting Vietnamese press products. Press agencies should be allowed to open content channels on online platforms but must register and be responsible for the content. At the same time, it should stipulate the responsibility of management agencies to coordinate with global platforms in removing bad and toxic information and protecting Vietnamese press.

Concerned about the regulations on the rights and obligations of journalists, delegate Hoang Thi Thanh Thuy - National Assembly Delegation of Tay Ninh province said that although the draft Press Law (amended), point a, clause 2, Article 28 continues to affirm that "journalists are protected by law in their professional activities". However, this regulation is still only a principle, and has not established a specific and feasible protection mechanism for journalists during their work.

The delegate pointed out that in recent times, there have been many cases of journalists being obstructed, assaulted, threatened or asked to reveal sources of information while performing their duties, but the handling and protection are often slow, lack deterrence and are not coordinated among competent authorities.

Therefore, to ensure the substance of the right to "be protected by law", the Draft Law on Press (amended) needs to concretize this principle into clear legal obligations, aiming to establish a mechanism to protect occupational safety for journalists.

Delegate Hoang Thi Thanh Thuy - National Assembly Delegation of Tay Ninh province

"When journalists are threatened, obstructed or attacked during their legal work, the police and local authorities where the incident occurs must be responsible for applying emergency protection measures, handling the violation and reporting the results to the state press management agency. This regulation not only protects individual journalists but also contributes to protecting press freedom - a constitutional right. Some countries (such as France, Germany, the Philippines) have established a "Media Protection Mechanism" under the coordination of press management agencies, police and professional organizations. Vietnam can refer to this model to ensure consistency, proactiveness and effectiveness in protecting journalists," emphasized delegate Hoang Thi Thanh Thuy.

Commenting on this issue, some delegates also said that the draft law should stipulate a focal point for receiving information, complaints or requests for support from journalists when their rights to work are violated. This mechanism should be coordinated with the police to ensure timely and transparent responses and clear sanctions.

In addition, press agencies need to be responsible for supporting and protecting reporters during their work, including providing legal support, training in occupational safety skills, and promptly notifying competent authorities when reporters are harmed.

Source: https://bvhttdl.gov.vn/thiet-lap-co-che-bao-ve-an-toan-nghe-nghiep-cho-nha-bao-20251102172304972.htm