Proposal for more open regulations for press economic activities

(Dan Tri) - The Chairman of the Economic and Financial Committee proposed more open regulations for press economic activities. The Chairman of the National Assembly also said that it is necessary to encourage the press economy and reduce dependence on the budget.

The draft Law on Press (amended) was discussed by the National Assembly Standing Committee at its 50th session, which opened on the afternoon of October 8.

Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Nguyen Van Hung said the draft law clearly defines four types of press: print press, radio press, visual press, and electronic press; and also clearly defines the types of print press including print newspapers and print magazines.

In addition, the draft omits the concept of a general electronic information page, and does not consider general electronic information as a journalistic information product.

Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Nguyen Van Hung presents the draft revised Press Law (Photo: Hong Phong).

Another important content added in this draft discussion stipulates that the main multimedia media agency has many types of press, affiliated press agencies, and has a specific financial mechanism according to Government regulations.

The operation of key multimedia media agencies, according to the draft law, must be consistent with the development plan for the network of press, radio, television, electronic information, and publishing establishments approved by the Prime Minister.

The head of a key multimedia media agency (General Director) has the role of leading and directing the overall management of assets and finances in cases where the State assigns assets; the affiliated press agency is assigned to manage assets and finances as a representative of state capital ownership.

This draft amended law also adds the content that "Head of the Ministry of Public Security's Investigation Agency, Head of the Provincial Police Investigation Agency" has the right to request in writing press agencies and journalists to provide information about "information providers" to serve the investigation, prosecution and trial of crimes.

Specifically, the draft revised Press Law stipulates: “Press agencies and journalists have the right and obligation not to disclose information providers, except in cases where there is a written request from the Chief Prosecutor of the People's Procuracy, Chief Justice of the Provincial People's Court or equivalent or higher, Head of the Ministry of Public Security's Investigation Agency, Head of the Provincial Police Investigation Agency to serve the investigation, prosecution and trial of crimes”.

Chairman of the Committee for Culture and Social Affairs Nguyen Dac Vinh (Photo: Hong Phong).

Presenting the audit report, Chairman of the Committee for Culture and Society Nguyen Dac Vinh said that there are currently 6 key multimedia communication agencies, however each agency has a different organizational model, management level and financial mechanism, so there are also different approaches when building a key multimedia communication agency model.

It is suggested that in addition to the above 6 agencies, it is necessary to consider adding key multimedia press agencies in some localities or some units that have long built up prestige and brand, and have a certain position in press activities.

In addition, the Standing Committee of the Reviewing Agency believes that the draft law still lacks the concept of “press economy” to have a comprehensive and synchronous policy system on this issue. Some regulations are not specific, have not really created major changes in “press economy”, have not resolved the problems and difficulties facing press agencies, and lack specific regulations related to public investment and autonomy mechanisms.

Compared to the current law, the draft has added regulations on press activities in cyberspace, promptly updating State management requirements in the context of digital media, but the review agency proposed adding regulations on the responsibility of cross-border platforms in coordinating with press agencies to prevent and remove bad and toxic information.

Commenting on the content related to press economics, Chairman of the Economic and Financial Committee Phan Van Mai emphasized that this is a very important issue for press agencies. Along with the requirement for financial autonomy, Mr. Mai suggested that there should be more open regulations for press economic activities.

National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man speaks at the meeting (Photo: Hong Phong).

National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man also suggested paying attention to the issue of revenue sources and supporting and encouraging the press economy, reducing dependence on the budget.

Regarding the key multimedia media agency and the specific financial mechanism, the National Assembly Chairman suggested studying and carefully considering to ensure a full basis for the contents related to press economics.

Along with that, according to the National Assembly Chairman, it is necessary to ensure the requirements of strengthening the management and development of media types on digital platforms, having appropriate mechanisms to develop revolutionary journalism, increasing the presence of revolutionary journalism on social networking platforms, and maintaining the information and propaganda front in the face of the development of cross-border platforms.

The National Assembly Chairman also noted the need to continue streamlining the press and media system in a streamlined, efficient, effective and efficient manner in accordance with the spirit of Resolution 18 and the organizational restructuring revolution.

Source: https://dantri.com.vn/thoi-su/de-nghi-co-quy-dinh-mo-hon-cho-hoat-dong-kinh-te-bao-chi-20251008165408509.htm