Make a clear distinction to avoid the situation of "newspaperization" of magazines

Photo caption — Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Nguyen Van Hung presents the draft Law on Press (amended). Photo: Tuan Anh/VNA

Delegate Nguyen Nam Tien (Lam Dong) assessed that after 10 years of operation, the 2016 Press Law has revealed a number of limitations that are no longer suitable to current reality. In addition, the rapidly developing field of science and technology has created certain barriers and posed urgent requirements for changes in journalism.

Therefore, this draft of the Press Law (amended) aims to perfect legal regulations to institutionalize the Party's guidelines and policies on the press; to adjust and manage press activities in a timely and appropriate manner in the context of the strong and rapid development of science, technology and modern media. At the same time, to overcome the limitations and shortcomings in current legal regulations on the press.

Delegate Nguyen Tien Nam emphasized the four major policy groups that the draft Law focuses on, namely strengthening the management of press activities; improving the quality of journalists; developing press practice and regulating press activities in cyberspace. The delegate said that one of the most noticeable new points in the draft Law is the regulation that clearly distinguishes between magazines and newspapers. This has not been clearly distinguished in the 2016 Press Law.

Due to the lack of clear distinction, there has been a situation of "newspaperization" of magazines. Magazines publish articles, report news, and participate in investigative reporting. This creates confusion, and even has the phenomenon of some reporters harassing, causing resentment among people and businesses. In addition, due to the lack of clear and strict regulations, there has been an unfortunate situation where an entire newspaper office has been dealt with.

Assessing the merger of press agencies and units when implementing the policy of streamlining the apparatus, delegate Nguyen Cong Hoang (Thai Nguyen delegation) said that the merger and streamlining will help save costs, improve operational efficiency, and facilitate the operation and management process. However, in order for Vietnamese press agencies to develop better and more effectively, the draft Press Law (amended) this time needs to introduce specific mechanisms for the press industry; creating a legal corridor to help press agencies follow the development path that many countries in the world have implemented very successfully.

Source: https://baotintuc.vn/thoi-su/phan-biet-ro-rang-de-khong-con-tinh-trang-bao-hoa-tap-chi-20251023162008964.htm