The Committee on Culture and Society reviews the draft Law on Press (amended)

On the afternoon of October 11, continuing the program of the third plenary session, the Committee on Culture and Society examined the draft Law on Press (amended). Member of the Party Central Committee, Chairman of the Committee on Culture and Society Nguyen Dac Vinh chaired the meeting.

Attending the meeting were Alternate member of the Party Central Committee, Permanent Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Le Hai Binh.

Chairman of the Committee for Culture and Social Affairs Nguyen Dac Vinh chaired the meeting. Photo: Lam Hien

At the meeting, the Committee on Culture and Society agreed with the necessity of amending the Press Law, agreeing with the grounds and reasons presented in the Government's Submission No. 797TTr-CP. The amendment of the Law aims to continue institutionalizing the Party's policies and guidelines on building a professional, humane and modern press and media; in accordance with Plan No. 81/KH-UBTVQH15 of the National Assembly Standing Committee and the National Assembly's Legislative Program for 2025; overcoming the limitations and shortcomings of the current law and in press activities in recent times.

The Committee found that the draft Law on Press (amended) was carefully and seriously prepared; it has absorbed and revised many times based on comments from ministries, branches, localities, experts, and press agencies that are beneficiaries and affected by the policies in the draft law.

The draft law dossier sent to the National Assembly ensures the time limit requirements as prescribed. The documents in the draft law dossier are complete and in accordance with the provisions of the Law on Promulgation of Legal Documents 2015, which was amended and supplemented with a number of articles in 2020.

Permanent Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Le Hai Binh speaks at the meeting. Photo: Lam Hien

The Committee on Culture and Society requested the drafting agency to continue researching and perfecting some contents. In particular, regarding the issue of press economics, the draft Law has supplemented and perfected some regulations to remove difficulties and create conditions to increase revenue for press agencies.

Specifically, these regulations include State support for investment and finance (Article 10), expanding revenue sources for press agencies (Article 21), regulations on association and cooperation (Articles 24 and 25) and regulations on advertising (Article 38).

Vice Chairman of the Committee for Culture and Society Ta Van Ha said that the content of press economics needs to be regulated more clearly. Photo: Lam Hien

However, the Committee found that the draft Law lacks the concept of “press economics” to serve as a basis for building a comprehensive and synchronous policy system. In addition, there is a need for more detailed and specific regulations to thoroughly resolve the difficulties and obstacles facing press agencies in their practical operations.

The Standing Committee of the Committee agreed that the Vietnamese press is revolutionary press, so it needs investment and support from the State. On the other hand, press agencies also need to be given conditions to promote their strengths in connection with the media, through activities such as organizing events, selling publications, supplements, etc.

Delegates also focused on discussing types of journalism (Article 3); key multimedia media agencies (Article 16); journalism activities in cyberspace (Section 1, Chapter III)...

National Assembly delegate working full-time at the Culture and Social Affairs Committee Do Chi Nghia gives comments on types of journalism, press archives... Photo: Lam Hien

Speaking at the meeting, Chairman of the Committee on Culture and Society Nguyen Dac Vinh said that the draft Law on Press (amended) is an important law project. The Standing Committee of the Committee has prepared for nearly 3 years, conducted surveys in relevant localities and units; organized many relatively thorough consultation meetings... In general, up to now, the Committee has been relatively in agreement with the drafting agency on the contents of the draft Law.

However, according to Chairman Nguyen Dac Vinh, some contents in the draft Law still need further research, such as: State policies on press development; regulations on the Vietnam Journalists Association; granting and revoking licenses; copyrights in the press field... "The ultimate goal is to create the best conditions to promote the development of the press field".

Delegates attending the meeting. Photo: Lam Hien

Permanent Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Le Hai Binh thanked the Committee on Culture and Society and National Assembly deputies for their interest, sharing and comments on the draft Law on Press (amended). The drafting agency will study and absorb as much as possible the opinions at the meeting, especially the contents on the governing body, types of press, press on cyberspace...

Permanent Deputy Minister Le Hai Binh said that the draft Law on Press (amended) is built towards the development of humane, professional, modern journalism, creating space for the press to develop, and for journalists to make a living from their profession. In addition, the draft Law also aims to resolve pressing issues in public opinion regarding journalism activities, so that readers can access authentic, authentic, and humane press information...

Source: https://daibieunhandan.vn/uy-ban-van-hoa-va-xa-hoi-tham-tra-du-an-luat-bao-chi-sua-doi-10390015.html