Decree No. 02/2011/NĐ-CP on administrative penalties for violations in press and publishing activities

DECREE

Regulations on administrative penalties for violations in press and publishing activities

 ____________________________________

THE GOVERNMENT

Pursuant to the Law on Organization of the Government dated December 25, 2001;

Pursuant to the Press Law dated December 28, 1989; the Law Amending and Supplementing Certain Provisions of the Press Law dated June 12, 1999;

Based on the Law on Publishing dated December 3, 2004; the Law Amending and Supplementing Certain Provisions of the Law on Publishing dated June 3, 2008;

Based on the Intellectual Property Law dated November 29, 2005; the Law Amending and Supplementing Certain Provisions of the Intellectual Property Law dated June 19, 2009;

Based on the Ordinance on Handling Administrative Violations dated July 2, 2002; the Ordinance Amending and Supplementing Certain Provisions of the Ordinance on Handling Administrative Violations dated April 2, 2008;

Based on the Advertising Ordinance dated November 16, 2001;

Considering the proposal of the Minister of Information and Communications,

DECREE:

PART I

GENERAL PROVISIONS

Article 1. Scope of Regulation

1. This Decree stipulates acts of violation, forms, levels of administrative penalties, and the authority to impose administrative penalties in press and publishing activities.

2. Administrative violations in press and publishing activities are intentional or negligent acts of individuals, agencies, organizations (hereinafter referred to collectively as individuals or organizations) that violate state management regulations in press and publishing activities without constituting a crime and which, according to the law, must be subject to administrative penalties.

3. Administrative violations in press and publishing activities specified in this Decree include: acts of violation in press information activities (print newspapers, radio broadcasts, television broadcasts, online newspapers, pay television activities, special edition publication activities, bulletin publication activities, material distribution activities, press release publication on electronic screens, information provision activities, and activities related to receiving satellite television signals directly); publication activities; export and import of press and publishing products; advertising in press and publishing activities.

Article 2. Applicability

This Decree applies to agencies, organizations, and individuals both within and outside Vietnam who commit administrative violations in press and publishing activities in Vietnam.

Article 3. Forms of administrative penalties and measures to remedy consequences

1. For each act of administrative violation, the violating organization or individual must bear one of the following main forms of administrative sanction:

a) Warning;

b) Fine.

2. Depending on the nature and severity of the violation, organizations and individuals committing administrative offenses may also be subject to one or more of the following supplementary forms of punishment:

a) Suspension of the right to use licenses, certificates, press cards for a limited or unlimited period;

b) Confiscation of objects and means used to commit administrative violations.

3. In addition to the main forms of administrative penalties and supplementary penalties prescribed in Clause 1 and Clause 2 of this Article, violators may also be subject to one or more remedial measures specifically provided for in the Articles of this Decree.

Chapter II

VIOLATIONS IN PRESS AND PUBLISHING ACTIVITIES FORMS AND LEVELS OF PENALTIES

Section 1

VIOLATIONS IN PRESS ACTIVITIES

Article 4. Violations of regulations on press information activity permits

1. Fine from VND 3,000,000 to VND 5,000,000 for one of the following acts:

a) Implementing provisions not correctly recorded in the permit;

b) Engaging in press activities not in accordance with the purpose and program approved in the press activity permit issued by the competent authority for foreign journalists.

2. A fine of VND 5,000,000 to VND 10,000,000 shall be imposed on any of the following acts:

a) Establishing representative offices or resident offices of press agencies without written approval from the competent state management agency;

b) Publishing bulletins without a permit;

c) Publishing, circulating materials, leaflets, publications without a permit for foreign organizations, foreign-invested entities in Vietnam;

d) Issuing supplements, special editions dedicated to advertising without a permit;

đ) Continuously broadcasting advertisements for more than ten minutes on radio stations, television stations without a permit;

e) Placing photo cabinets, information cabinets, signs at the premises of foreign representative offices without permission from the competent state management agency;

g) Foreign organizations in Vietnam organizing film screenings, exhibitions, seminars, and other related press activities inviting Vietnamese citizens to participate without the approval of the competent state management agency;

h) Altering, erasing permits.

3. A fine of from VND 10,000,000 to VND 20,000,000 shall be imposed for one of the following acts:

a) Issuing press releases without a permit for foreign organizations, foreign-invested entities in Vietnam;

b) Publishing special issues, additional issues, special topics, extra pages without a permit;

c) Adding channels, programs without a permit;

d) Broadcasting bulletins on electronic screens without a permit.

4. A fine of VND 20,000,000 to VND 30,000,000 shall be imposed on the act of engaging in press activities without a permit issued by the competent authority for foreign journalists.

5. A fine of VND 30,000,000 to VND 40,000,000 shall be imposed on one of the following acts:

a) Publishing print newspapers or online newspapers without a press activity permit as prescribed;

b) Broadcasting radio programs, television programs without a press activity permit as prescribed;

c) Counterfeiting press activity permits; special issue publication permits, additional issue publication permits, special topic publication permits, bulletin publication permits, material publication permits, leaflet publication permits.

6. Additional forms of punishment:

Seizure of contraband items and means of violation for acts prescribed in point b, c, d, e, g Clause 2, Clause 3, Clause 4, and Clause 5 of this Article.

Article 5. Violations of regulations on the use of press cards and journalistic activities

1. A warning or a fine from VND 1,000,000 to VND 3,000,000 shall be imposed for any of the following acts:

a) Lending a press card to another person for journalistic activities;

b) Using another person's press card for journalistic activities;

c) Using a press card that has been altered or erased;

d) Using an expired foreign journalist's press card or not having a foreign journalist's press card issued by the competent authority for journalistic activities.

2. A fine from VND 3,000,000 to VND 5,000,000 shall be imposed for impersonating a journalist or reporter to engage in journalistic activities for personal gain.

3. A fine from VND 5,000,000 to VND 10,000,000 shall be imposed for exploiting the status of a journalist to obtain personal gain or interfere illegally with the lawful activities of agencies, organizations, or individuals, or obstructing their lawful activities.

4. Additional forms of administrative punishment:

a) Seizure of the press card for the acts specified in points b, c, and d of Clause 1 of this Article;

b) Suspension of the right to use the press card for 180 days for the act specified in point a of Clause 1 of this Article;

c) Permanent suspension of the right to use the press card for the act specified in Clause 3 of this Article.

Article 6. Unlawful obstruction of journalistic activities

1. A fine from VND 5,000,000 to VND 10,000,000 shall be imposed for insulting the dignity and personality of a journalist while they are engaged in lawful professional activities.

2. A fine from VND 10,000,000 to VND 20,000,000 shall be imposed for obstructing a journalist's lawful professional activities.

3. A fine of from VND 20,000,000 to VND 30,000,000 shall be imposed for any of the following acts:

a) Threatening or intimidating the life of a journalist;

b) Destroying, intentionally damaging, or illegally seizing the equipment and materials used for journalistic activities of a journalist.

4. Measures to remedy consequences:

a) Ordering an apology for the acts specified in Clause 1 and Clause 3 of this Article;

b) Ordering the return of illegally seized equipment and materials for the act specified in point b of Clause 3 of this Article.

Article 7. Violations of regulations on content information

1. A warning or a fine from VND 1,000,000 to VND 3,000,000 shall be imposed for any of the following acts:

a) Not citing sources when publishing or broadcasting on the media;

b) Not clearly stating the real name, pen name, or group author's name of the author of news items or articles when using them for publication or broadcasting on the media;

c) Using news items or articles for publication or broadcasting on the media without knowing the real name or address of the author.

2. A fine from VND 3,000,000 to VND 5,000,000 shall be imposed for the following acts:

a) Providing false information but not seriously;

b) Illustrating or titling inconsistently with the content, leading readers to misunderstand the content;

c) Publishing or broadcasting information about mysterious events or new scientific issues in specialized research journals without indicating the source of the material;

d) Disclosing private information without the consent of the individual concerned or their relatives, except where otherwise provided by law;

đ) Publishing or broadcasting personal documents or letters without the consent of the legitimate owner of the documents or letters, except where otherwise provided by law;

e) Publishing or broadcasting images of individuals without their consent or that of their relatives, except in cases of finding relatives of victims, images of persons who have been indicted or are serving custodial sentences, or images related to collective activities;

3. A fine of from VND 10,000,000 to VND 20,000,000 shall be imposed for one of the following acts:

a) Describing in detail obscene acts, gruesome killings, or inhumane actions in news items or articles or images;

b) Publishing or broadcasting articles, drawings, or images that incite lust, nudity, or indecent exposure, which are not in accordance with Vietnamese customs and traditions;

c) Promoting superstitious practices, beliefs, or taboos;

d) Publishing or broadcasting information on the media other than specialized research journals about mysterious events or new scientific issues that have not been concluded;

đ) Publishing or broadcasting information about the relatives and relationships of individuals involved in negative cases without evidence proving that these relatives or relationships are related to the case or without a conclusion from the competent state agency;

e) Exploiting documents or materials of organizations or personal letters related to ongoing investigations or untried cases, negative cases, or cases showing signs of law violations awaiting conclusions from competent state agencies without clearly stating the origin of the documents, materials, or letters.

4. A fine of VND 20,000,000 to VND 30,000,000 shall be imposed on one of the following acts:

a) Providing false information causing serious impact;

b) Publishing or broadcasting maps of Vietnam that do not fully reflect or incorrectly represent national sovereignty.

5. A fine of VND 30,000,000 to VND 40,000,000 shall be imposed on one of the following acts:

a) Publishing or broadcasting works that have been decided to be banned or confiscated;

b) Publishing or broadcasting information violating Clause 1 of Article 6 of the Press Law and the Law Amending and Supplementing Certain Provisions of the Press Law;

c) Publishing or broadcasting information violating Clause 1, 2, and 3 of Article 10 of the Press Law but not reaching the level of criminal prosecution.

6. Additional forms of punishment:

a) Confiscation of the objects and means of violation for the acts specified in Clauses 3, 4, and 5 of this Article if they cause serious consequences;

b) Suspension of the right to use the license for 90 to 180 days for the act specified in Clause 5 of this Article;

c) Permanent suspension of the right to use the press card for journalists who commit the acts specified in Clauses 4 and 5 of this Article.

7. Measures to remedy consequences:

Ordering corrections and apologies for the acts specified in points a, b, d, đ, e of Clause 2, point đ of Clause 3, and Clauses 4 and 5 of this Article.

Article 8. Violations of provisions on providing information to the press and using information from press agencies

1. A warning or a fine from VND 1,000,000 to VND 3,000,000 shall be imposed for any of the following acts:

a) Obstructing organizations and citizens in providing information to the press.

b) Failing to provide information to the press as prescribed in Article 7 of the Press Law.

2. A fine of VND 3,000,000 to VND 5,000,000 shall be imposed for the act of using statements not intended to answer interviews at conferences, meetings, exchanges, or speeches to convert them into interview articles without the speaker's consent.

3. Imposing a fine of VND 5,000,000 to VND 10,000,000 for one of the following acts:

a) Adding, deleting, or misrepresenting the views of the interviewee in the press.

b) Failing to comply with the request to review the content of the interviewee's responses before publishing or broadcasting the interview responses in the press.

c) Adding, deleting, or distorting the content of official documents issued by competent state agencies when publishing or broadcasting them in the press.

4. Measures to remedy consequences:

a) Compelling an apology and publishing the full content of the interviewee's response for the act prescribed in point a, Clause 3 of this Article.

b) Compelling an apology and publishing the full content of the official document issued by competent state agencies for the act prescribed in point c, Clause 3 of this Article.

Article 9. Violations of provisions on corrections in the press

1. A warning or a fine from VND 1,000,000 to VND 3,000,000 shall be imposed for any of the following acts:

a) Implementing corrections that do not comply with regulations regarding position, area, duration, and font size.

b) Failing to publish the statements of organizations or individuals related to the press work as required by regulations.

2. A fine of VND 3,000,000 to VND 5,000,000 shall be imposed for failing to make corrections within the prescribed time.

3. Imposing a fine of VND 5,000,000 to VND 10,000,000 for one of the following acts:

a) Failing to make corrections as required.

b) Failing to publish or broadcast the conclusions of competent state agencies regarding false information published or broadcast in the press.

4. Measures to remedy consequences:

a) Compelling corrections for the act prescribed in point a, Clause 3 of this Article.

b) Compelling the publication or broadcasting of the conclusions of competent state agencies regarding false information published or broadcast for the act prescribed in point b, Clause 3 of this Article.

Article 10. Violations of provisions on press conferences

1. A warning or a fine from VND 1,000,000 to VND 3,000,000 shall be imposed for any of the following acts:

a) Holding a press conference without prior written notice or holding it outside the prescribed time.

b) Holding a press conference with content that does not align with the functions, tasks, and purposes of the organization.

2. A fine of VND 10,000,000 to VND 20,000,000 shall be imposed for organizing a press conference without approval from the state management agency for the press or despite a prohibition order.

3. A fine of VND 20,000,000 to VND 30,000,000 shall be imposed for holding a press conference with content that is false, defamatory, or slanderous, aimed at damaging the reputation of organizations or the dignity and personality of citizens.

4. A fine of VND 30,000,000 to VND 40,000,000 shall be imposed for holding a press conference with content violating the provisions of Articles 1, 2, and 3 of Article 10 of the Press Law.

Article 11. Violations of provisions on presenting press information products

1. A warning or a fine from VND 1,000,000 to VND 3,000,000 shall be imposed for any of the following acts:

a) Failing to properly record or incorrectly recording the presentation requirements on press information products.

b) Presenting the first page or cover of newspapers, magazines, special issues, newsletters, documents, leaflets in a manner inconsistent with the content of the press information product.

2. Additional forms of punishment:

Seizing press information products for the act prescribed in point b, Clause 1 of this Article if it causes serious consequences.

Article 12. Violations of regulations on issuing press information products

1. A warning or a fine from VND 1,000,000 to VND 3,000,000 shall be imposed for any of the following acts:

a) Not indicating the selling price on press information products;

b) Selling internal circulation press information products.

2. A fine of VND 3,000,000 to VND 5,000,000 shall be imposed for any of the following acts:

a) Obstructing the issuance of lawful press information products;

b) Selling illegally imported press information products;

c) Issuing press information products without a publication permit.

3. A fine of VND 10,000,000 to VND 20,000,000 shall be imposed for issuing press information products that are not permitted to circulate or have been decided to be recalled, confiscated, or banned from circulation.

4. Additional forms of administrative punishment:

Confiscate the contraband objects for violations stipulated in point b, Clause 1, point b, c, Clause 2, and Clause 3 of this Article.

Article 13. Violations of regulations on archiving press information products

1. Warning or a fine of VND 1,000,000 to VND 3,000,000 shall be imposed for submitting press information products for archiving at incorrect locations, at incorrect times, in incorrect quantities, or with incorrect procedures as prescribed.

2. A fine of VND 3,000,000 to VND 5,000,000 shall be imposed for any of the following acts:

a) Not submitting press information products for archiving;

b) Not retaining written records, audio recordings, video recordings broadcast over the airwaves, or data transmitted over networks, or retaining them for less than the prescribed time period.

3. Measures to remedy consequences:

Order to submit press information products for archiving, and retain written records, audio recordings, video recordings broadcast over the airwaves, or data transmitted over networks in accordance with the provisions of the law for violations stipulated in Clauses 1 and 2 of this Article.

Article 14. Violations of regulations on exporting and importing press materials and equipment serving press activities

1. A fine of VND 5,000,000 to VND 10,000,000 shall be imposed for exporting or importing press service equipment without permission from competent state management agencies.

2. A fine of VND 10,000,000 to VND 20,000,000 shall be imposed for exporting or importing press materials containing superstitious, unwholesome content, or content inconsistent with Vietnamese cultural traditions and customs.

3. A fine of VND 30,000,000 to VND 40,000,000 shall be imposed for one of the following acts except for the case stipulated in Clause 2 of this Article.

a) Importing press materials containing content violating Article 10 of the Press Law;

b) Exporting illegally published press materials, press materials with decisions to stop printing, ban circulation, confiscation, recovery, destruction, or press materials containing content violating Article 10 of the Press Law.

4. Additional forms of administrative punishment:

Confiscate the contraband objects for violations stipulated in Clause 2 and Clause 3 of this Article.

5. Measures to remedy consequences:

Order to complete the required procedures in accordance with the law for violations stipulated in Clause 1 of this Article.

Article 15. Violations of regulations on managing pay television activities and receiving satellite direct broadcast signals

1. Fine from VND 3,000,000 to VND 5,000,000 for one of the following acts:

a) Altering or erasing the registration certificate for receiving satellite direct broadcast signals;

b) Failing to comply with the provisions recorded in the registration certificate for receiving satellite direct broadcast signals;

c) Failing to report the provision of pay television services as prescribed.

2. A fine of VND 5,000,000 to VND 10,000,000 shall be imposed on any of the following acts:

a) Failing to register for receiving foreign satellite direct broadcast signals;

b) Failing to register the list of channels on pay television services;

3. A fine of from VND 10,000,000 to VND 20,000,000 shall be imposed for one of the following acts:

a) Producing domestic channels for pay television services not in accordance with the license content;

b) Editing foreign channels on pay television services not in accordance with the license content;

c) Translating foreign channels on pay television services not in accordance with the law;

d) Providing pay television services not in accordance with the license content.

4. A fine of VND 20,000,000 to VND 30,000,000 shall be imposed on one of the following acts:

a) Failing to register the provision of foreign channels on pay television services in Vietnam;

b) Providing foreign channels into Vietnam for business purposes through pay television services without authorized agents in Vietnam;

c) Receiving foreign satellite direct broadcast signals not in accordance with the law;

d) Editing foreign channels on pay television services without a license.

5. A fine of VND 30,000,000 to VND 40,000,000 shall be imposed on one of the following acts:

a) Installing or providing pay television services without a license;

b) Producing domestic channels for pay television services without a license;

c) Broadcasting foreign channels on pay television services without a license;

d) Failing to edit or translate foreign channels on pay television services;

đ) Providing pay television services, programs, and channels with content violating Article 10 of the Press Law.

6. Additional forms of punishment:

a) Confiscate the registration certificates for the act stipulated in point a, Clause 1 of this Article;

b) Confiscate contraband objects and equipment for the acts stipulated in point a, đ, Clause 5 of this Article if they cause serious consequences.

7. Measures to remedy consequences:

a) Order to fulfill reporting responsibilities for the violation stipulated in point c, Clause 1 of this Article;

b) Order to register for receiving foreign satellite direct broadcast signals, register the list of channels on pay television services, and register the provision of foreign channels on pay television services in Vietnam for the violations stipulated in Clause 2 and point a, Clause 4 of this Article;

c) Order to comply with the license content for the violations stipulated in points a, b, d, Clause 3 of this Article;

d) Order to translate foreign channels on pay television services in accordance with the law for the violations stipulated in point c, Clause 3 of this Article;

đ) Order to edit and translate foreign channels on pay television services for the violations stipulated in point d, Clause 5 of this Article.

Article 16. Violations of provisions on collaboration in the production activities of radio and television programs

1. A warning or a fine of VND 1,000,000 to VND 3,000,000 shall be imposed for any of the following acts:

a) Not registering channels, news programs, political programs;

b) Not registering supplementary collaborative programs when there is a change in the content already registered, or registering supplementary programs but not receiving written approval from the Ministry of Information and Communications;

c) Signing a collaboration contract that does not fully reflect the content as prescribed;

d) Not notifying in writing competent authorities about the name, content, time, duration, broadcasting channel of the collaborative product; the name, address of the collaborating partner, form of collaboration, rights and obligations of the parties involved in the collaboration for products that are not channels or regular programs.

2. A fine of VND 5,000,000 to VND 10,000,000 shall be imposed on any of the following acts:

a) Not signing a collaboration contract;

b) Not complying with the content of the collaboration contract and relevant laws;

c) Signing a collaboration contract with a partner who does not meet the prescribed conditions.

3. A fine of from VND 10,000,000 to VND 20,000,000 shall be imposed for one of the following acts:

a) Engaging in collaboration activities for news and political radio and television programs;

b) Not identifying a comprehensive news-political channel when there are two or more promotional channels;

c) Broadcasting beyond 30% of the total program duration of the channel for collaborative programs within a comprehensive news-political channel;

d) Not complying with the principles and forms of collaboration activities.

4. A fine of VND 20,000,000 to VND 30,000,000 shall be imposed for engaging in collaboration activities without written approval from the Ministry of Information and Communications.

5. Additional forms of punishment:

Seizure of contraband items for violations stipulated in Clause 4, Article 16 in cases causing serious consequences.

6. Measures to remedy consequences:

a) Order registration for violations specified in point a and b, Clause 1, Article 16;

b) Order signing of a collaboration contract in accordance with prescribed content for violations specified in point c, Clause 1, Article 16;

c) Order notification in writing to competent authorities for violations specified in point d, Clause 1, Article 16;

d) Order signing of a collaboration contract for violations specified in point a, Clause 2, Article 16;

đ) Order cessation of the implementation of the collaboration contract for violations specified in point c, Clause 2, Article 16;

e) Order identification of a comprehensive news-political channel for violations specified in point b, Clause 3, Article 16;

g) Order compliance with regulations for violations specified in point c, Clause 3, Article 16.

Section 2

VIOLATIONS IN PUBLISHING ACTIVITIES

Article 17. Violations of provisions on publishing licenses

1. Fine from VND 3,000,000 to VND 5,000,000 for one of the following acts:

a) Altering or erasing the establishment license of a publisher;

b) Altering or erasing the decision establishing a publisher;

c) Changing the name of the managing agency or the publisher, or the target audience of the publisher without applying for a license change as prescribed;

d) Altering or erasing the publication decision;

đ) Not recording complete content in the publication decision for publications according to the model prescribed by the Ministry of Information and Communications.

2. A fine of VND 5,000,000 to VND 10,000,000 shall be imposed on any of the following acts:

a) Implementing content not recorded in the establishment license of the publisher;

b) Transferring the establishment license of the publisher under any form;

c) Publishing publications not consistent with the mission and purpose of the publisher;

d) Changing the managing agency or the mission and purpose of the publisher without applying for a license as prescribed;

đ) Publishing publications with incorrect content from the confirmed publication plan;

e) Publishing on the internet at a website not using the ".vn" domain.

3. A fine of from VND 10,000,000 to VND 20,000,000 shall be imposed for one of the following acts:

a) Publishing publications without registering a publication plan or publishing publications without written confirmation of the registration of the publication plan by the Ministry of Information and Communications;

b) Publishing publications without a publication decision from the director of the publisher;

c) Publishing non-commercial materials without a publication permit from the competent state management agency for publishing activities.

4. A fine of VND 30,000,000 to VND 40,000,000 shall be imposed for any of the following acts:

a) Establishing a publisher without a permit from the competent state management agency;

b) Setting up a representative office of a publisher or foreign distribution organization in Vietnam without a permit or operating contrary to the content recorded in the permit.

5. Additional forms of punishment:

a) Seize contraband items for violations specified in point a and b, Clause 1, and Clause 3, Article 17;

b) Revoke the right to use the permit indefinitely for violations specified in point b, Clause 2, Article 17.

6. Measures to remedy consequences:

a) Order the recall of the publication decision for violations specified in point d, Clause 1, Article 17;

b) Order removal of the publication from the Internet for violations specified in point e, Clause 2, Article 17.

Article 18. Violations of provisions on the content of publications

1. A fine of VND 5,000,000 to VND 10,000,000 shall be imposed on the Publisher for the act of not notifying distribution units to recall publications subject to recall decisions, and not organizing the recall of publications subject to recall decisions.

2. A fine of VND 10,000,000 to VND 20,000,000 shall be imposed on any of the following acts:

a) Publishing publications containing content that insults the honor, dignity, or discloses the private life of individuals without their consent or that of their relatives, except where otherwise provided by law;

b) Publishing publications containing false content that infringes upon the legitimate rights and interests of organizations or individuals;

c) Publishing maps that do not reflect, incorrectly reflect administrative boundaries at various levels, or incorrectly reflect place names in Vietnam;

d) Using maps of Vietnam to illustrate the cover or illustrations of publications but failing to correctly reflect or incorrectly reflecting administrative boundaries at various levels, or incorrectly reflecting place names in Vietnam or national sovereignty;

đ) Publishing publications that require review but not organizing such review;

3. A fine of from VND 20,000,000 to VND 30,000,000 shall be imposed for any of the following acts:

a) Publishing maps of Vietnam that fail to correctly reflect or incorrectly reflect national sovereignty;

b) Publishing publications containing content that propagates decadent lifestyles, criminal acts, social evils, superstitious beliefs, or customs inconsistent with Vietnamese traditions;

4. A fine of VND 30,000,000 to VND 40,000,000 shall be imposed on the act of publishing publications containing content violating Article 10 of the Law on Publishing, except as provided in point b, Clause 3 of this Article;

5. Additional forms of punishment:

Seizure of evidence of violations for the acts stipulated in points a, b, c, d, Clause 2, Clause 3, and Clause 4 of this Article;

6. Measures to remedy consequences:

a) Compel the recall of publications already subject to recall decisions for the acts stipulated in Clause 1 of this Article;

b) Compel an apology for the acts violating the provisions in points a, b, Clause 2 of this Article;

c) Compel suspension of distribution and organization of review for the acts stipulated in point đ, Clause 2 of this Article;

Article 19. Violations of provisions on the presentation and illustration of publications

1. A warning or a fine from VND 1,000,000 to VND 3,000,000 shall be imposed for any of the following acts:

a) Failing to record or recording inaccurately the information required to be recorded on publications;

b) Using images, photographs, drawings, symbols, characters to present the cover or illustrate publications in a manner inconsistent with the content of the publications;

2. Measures to remedy consequences:

a) Compel accurate and complete recording of the information required to be recorded on publications for the acts stipulated in point a, Clause 1 of this Article if they cause serious consequences;

b) Compel correction or removal of images, photographs, drawings, symbols, characters for the acts stipulated in point b, Clause 1 of this Article if they cause serious consequences;

Article 20. Violations of provisions on depositing publications

1. A warning shall be imposed on the act of submitting deposits of publications in non-compliance with procedures;

2. A fine of VND 1,000,000 to VND 3,000,000 shall be imposed on the act of submitting insufficient quantities of deposited publications as prescribed;

3. A fine of from VND 3,000,000 to VND 5,000,000 for any of the following acts:

a) Not depositing publications before distributing them individually;

b) Submitting deposits of publications within ten days of distribution;

4. Measures to remedy consequences:

Compel submission of deposits of publications in accordance with the law for the acts stipulated in Clause 2 and point a, Clause 3 of this Article;

Article 21. Violations of provisions on collaboration in the field of publishing

1. A warning or a fine from VND 1,000,000 to VND 3,000,000 shall be imposed for any of the following acts:

a) Failing to comply with the provisions of Clause 1, Article 20 of the Law on Publishing;

b) Failing to record or incorrectly recording the name and address of the collaborating partner when registering publication plans;

c) Failing to approve the manuscript (including the cover and information required to be recorded on publications) before printing or uploading it on the Internet;

d) Failing to retain the manuscript of collaborative publications as prescribed by law;

đ) Failing to issue collaborative publications;

e) Failing to submit collaborative publications to the publisher after printing;

2. A fine of VND 5,000,000 to VND 10,000,000 shall be imposed on the act of changing the title of the publication, author's name, or collaborating partner's name registered without written confirmation from the Publishing Department;

3. A fine of from VND 10,000,000 to VND 20,000,000 shall be imposed for one of the following acts:

a) Failing to comply with the provisions on signing contracts for collaborative publications;

b) Distributing publications when the Director of the Publisher has not signed for issuance;

4. A fine of VND 20,000,000 to VND 30,000,000 shall be imposed on one of the following acts:

a) Failing to organize editing of the manuscript of collaborative publications, except in cases of reprinting;

b) Altering the content of collaborative publications already approved by the Director of the Publisher;

5. Additional forms of punishment:

Seize publications violating the provisions in point b, Clause 4 of this Article if they cause serious consequences;

6. Measures to remedy consequences:

a) Compel retention of manuscripts for the acts stipulated in point d, Clause 1 of this Article;

b) Compel issuance of collaborative publications for the acts stipulated in point đ, Clause 1 of this Article;

c) Compel the collaborating partner to submit collaborative publications to the Publisher for the acts stipulated in point e, Clause 1 of this Article.

Article 22. Violations concerning printing activities

1. A warning or a fine from VND 1,000,000 to VND 3,000,000 shall be imposed for failing to register printing equipment that must be registered according to the law.

2. A fine of VND 3,000,000 to VND 5,000,000 shall be imposed for any of the following acts:

a) Implementing contents not in accordance with the printing operation license;

b) Transferring the printing operation license in any form;

c) Altering or erasing the printing operation license;

d) Not establishing a product management ledger or not recording full information of products received for printing as required by law, including prepress and post-printing processing in the product management ledger;

đ) Using photocopiers and other printing devices to illegally print, reproduce press and publishing materials for business purposes or wide circulation;

e) Printing non-publishing products exceeding the quantity specified in the contract from 100 finished products to less than 500 finished products.

3. Imposing a fine of VND 5,000,000 to VND 10,000,000 for one of the following acts:

a) Signing a printing contract inconsistent with the publication decision, publication permit, or foreign printing permit;

b) Printing paper money substitutes without the registration confirmation of the competent state management agency regarding the type of paper money substitutes printed;

c) Printing non-publishing products exceeding the quantity specified in the contract from 500 finished products to less than 1,000 finished products;

d) Using photocopiers and other printing devices to reproduce press and publishing materials, non-publishing products prohibited from circulation;

4. Imposing a fine of from VND 10,000,000 to VND 20,000,000 for any of the following acts:

a) Printing identification cards, passports, certificates without the approval document of the specialized state management agency or printing national education system certificates without the approval document of the issuing organization or entity;

b) Printing identification cards, passports, certificates, national education system certificates, anti-counterfeiting stamps without the original model bearing the signature and seal of the competent state management agency;

c) Printing newspapers, magazines without the permit of the state management agency on press;

d) Printing publications exceeding the quantity specified in the publication decision or publication permit from 50 copies to less than 500 copies;

đ) Printing publications inconsistent with the publication decision or publication permit;

e) Printing foreign printing products without a foreign printing permit;

g) Printing publications inconsistent with the manuscript approved by the publisher's director or the manuscript stamped by the competent state management agency issuing the publication permit;

h) Illegally adding, deleting, or altering the original model or manuscript;

i) Printing non-publishing products exceeding the quantity specified in the contract from 1,000 finished products or more;

k) Printing products without printing functions in the business registration certificate;

l) Printing product labels, packaging where the received printing model does not have the signature and seal confirmation of the production facility named as the ordering party, lacking the correct industry business registration certificate, or introduction letter from the production facility named on the label or packaging;

m) Printing drug labels, medical treatment labels without the correct industry business registration certificate and registration number issued by the competent state management agency;

n) Printing products without a printing contract;

5. A fine of VND 30,000,000 to VND 40,000,000 shall be imposed on one of the following acts:

a) Printing, reproducing press and publishing materials that have been decided to be recalled, confiscated, banned from circulation, destroyed, or contain content violating Article 10 of the Publishing Law;

b) Printing publications without a publication decision from the Publisher Director or publication permit;

c) Printing publications or press products, anti-counterfeiting stamps without a printing operation permit;

d) Printing publications exceeding the quantity specified in the publication decision or publication permit from 500 copies or more;

đ) Printing products prohibited from circulation by law, except when permitted to print for foreign processing;

e) Illegally photocopying or printing classified state secrets or work-related secrets as prescribed by law.

6. Additional forms of punishment:

a) Revoking the right to use the license indefinitely for the violation stipulated in point b, Clause 2 of this Article;

b) Revoking the right to use the license for 90 to 180 days for the violation stipulated in point a, Clause 5 of this Article;

c) Confiscating the evidence of violation for the violations stipulated in points b, c, d, Clause 3, Clause 4, Clause 5 of this Article;

d) Confiscating the means of violation for the violations stipulated in points a, đ, and e, Clause 5 of this Article.

7. Measures to remedy consequences:

a) Compelling registration of printing equipment for the violation stipulated in Clause 1 of this Article;

b) Compelling to reapply for a license for the violation stipulated in point c, Clause 2 of this Article;

c) Compelling destruction of publications for the violation stipulated in point đ, Clause 2 of this Article.

Article 23. Violations of regulations on importing printing equipment

1. A fine of from 10,000,000 VND to 20,000,000 VND shall be imposed for the act of importing color photocopiers without an import permit.

2. Additional forms of punishment:

Seizure of the objects of violation for the acts stipulated in Clause 1 of this Article.

Article 24. Violations of regulations on storing and distributing publications

1. Fine from VND 3,000,000 to VND 5,000,000 for one of the following acts:

a) Obstructing the distribution of legally published publications;

b) Selling, distributing, renting, or uploading to the internet imported publications or publications produced illegally;

c) Selling, distributing, renting, or uploading to the internet publications containing content promoting superstitious beliefs, outdated customs, and social vices;

d) Storing or distributing pirated publications or publications without invoices or certificates showing legitimate origin under 50 copies;

đ) Distributing on the internet publications of publishers, agencies, or organizations that have been dissolved, merged, or split without the written consent of the author, agency, or organization transferring the civil rights and obligations of the dissolved, merged, or split publisher, agency, or organization.

2. A fine of VND 5,000,000 to VND 10,000,000 shall be imposed on any of the following acts:

a) Selling, renting, or uploading to the internet publications belonging to categories not allowed for business or internal circulation;

b) Storing or distributing pirated publications or publications without invoices or certificates showing legitimate origin from 50 copies to less than 100 copies;

c) Selling, renting, or uploading to the internet publications containing content promoting decadent lifestyles, pornography, or inciting violence;

3. A fine of from VND 10,000,000 to VND 20,000,000 shall be imposed for one of the following acts:

a) Distributing or storing with the purpose of circulating publications belonging to categories not permitted for circulation or already subject to a decision for confiscation;

b) Selling, renting, or uploading to the internet publications already subject to a decision for confiscation, prohibition of circulation;

c) Storing or distributing pirated publications or publications without invoices or certificates showing legitimate origin from 100 copies to less than 150 copies;

d) Illegally consuming or disseminating printed products manufactured for foreign countries within the territory of Vietnam;

đ) Organizing exhibitions or trade fairs of publications not in accordance with the content recorded in the permit;

4. A fine of VND 30,000,000 to VND 40,000,000 shall be imposed for any of the following acts:

a) Organizing exhibitions or trade fairs of publications without a permit;

b) Displaying or selling in exhibitions or trade fairs publications produced illegally, imported illegally, publications not permitted for circulation, or publications with a decision for confiscation or publications containing content violating Article 10 of the Law on Publishing;

c) Storing or distributing pirated publications or publications without invoices or certificates showing legitimate origin from 150 copies or more;

d) The representative office in Vietnam of a foreign organization directly engaging in business distribution in Vietnam;

5. Additional forms of punishment:

Seizure of the objects of violation for the acts stipulated in Points b, c, and d Clause 1, Point b and c Clause 2, Points a, b, c, and d Clause 3, and Points b, c, and d Clause 4 of this Article.

6. Measures to remedy consequences:

Compel removal from the Internet of publications for the acts stipulated in Point đ Clause 1 of this Article.

Article 25. Violations of regulations on exporting and importing publications

1. A fine of from five million to ten million Vietnamese dong shall be imposed for any of the following acts:

a) Importing publications not in accordance with the name listed in the registered import list;

b) Importing publications not for business without an import permit or importing publications not in accordance with the type, content, quantity, origin, purpose, and scope of use of the imported publications;

c) Not re-exporting or not processing import procedures for publications imported as materials for international seminars, conferences approved by competent authorities in Vietnam, or publications as movable property of organizations, families, or individuals for personal use after use;

d) Not processing application procedures for importing publications gifted to organizations or individuals sent through postal services exceeding the tax-free standard as prescribed by law;

2. A fine of VND 10,000,000 to VND 20,000,000 shall be imposed on any of the following acts:

a) Importing publications for business without a business operation permit for importing publications;

b) Importing publications for business without registering the publication import list with the state management agency for publishing activities;

c) Not reviewing the content of imported publications before distribution;

3. A fine of from VND 30,000,000 to VND 40,000,000 shall be imposed on one of the following acts:

a) Importing publications containing content violating Articles 3 and 10 of the Law on Publishing;

b) Exporting illegally published publications, publications with decisions to stop printing, prohibit circulation, confiscate, recall, or destroy, or publications containing content violating Articles 3 and 10 of the Law on Publishing;

4. Additional forms of administrative punishment:

Seizure of the objects of violation for the acts stipulated in Clause 3 of this Article;

5. Measures to remedy consequences:

Compel removal from the territory of Vietnam or re-export publications in cases of violations stipulated in Point b, Point c Clause 1, and Point a Clause 2 of this Article.

Section 3

VIOLATIONS IN ADVERTISING IN JOURNALISM AND PUBLISHING ACTIVITIES

Article 26. Violations of advertising regulations in press information activities

1. A warning or a fine from VND 1,000,000 to VND 3,000,000 shall be imposed for any of the following acts:

a) Advertising on printed newspapers, radio stations, television exceeding the permitted number of days in one period or not having sufficient time between periods.

b) Advertising on printed newspapers exceeding 10% of the area without permission.

c) Advertising on radio stations, television not having clear voice or writing indicating the advertisement information section.

d) Advertising immediately following the program's music or image signal on radio or television programs that are not film, cultural, sports, entertainment programs.

đ) Advertising on printed newspapers without a separate section, page or clearly marked advertisement information section; not numbering the separate pages of supplements dedicated to advertising; advertising supplements not being the same size or not being issued with the main newspaper.

e) Advertising on news bulletins.

g) Advertising using language, images, sounds that are inappropriate to Vietnamese customs and traditions.

2. A fine of VND 3,000,000 to VND 5,000,000 shall be imposed for any of the following acts:

a) Advertising more than twice in a television drama program; advertising more than four times in entertainment programs on radio and television; advertising once for more than five minutes in drama or entertainment programs on radio and television; advertising more than ten times for a product on a channel in one day on radio and television.

b) Not clearly informing viewers and listeners of the specific duration of the advertising program from the start of the program for channels and programs specializing in advertising on radio and television that have been licensed by the Ministry of Information and Communications.

c) Advertising on radio and television exceeding the permitted number of times or duration on a channel in one day.

d) Advertising interspersed within news articles in the press.

đ) Advertising sanitary pads, condoms, skin disease medications, deworming drugs, feminine hygiene solutions, and similar products on radio and television during the hours from 18:00 to 20:00 daily.

e) Advertising a product or service more than five consecutive days for periodic newspapers; advertising campaigns less than five days apart for daily newspapers or less than four consecutive issues apart for periodic newspapers.

g) Advertising using foreign languages written before Vietnamese or ethnic minority languages in Vietnam, or using larger font sizes for foreign or ethnic minority languages in Vietnam compared to Vietnamese for products advertised in both Vietnamese, ethnic minority languages in Vietnam, and foreign languages.

h) Advertising causing confusion with the business operations of goods and services of other organizations or individuals.

i) Using the name or image of another organization or individual for advertising without their permission.

k) Advertising common trademarks or brands for multiple types of goods and services, including prohibited goods and services, without clearly stating the type of goods and services allowed under the law.

3. Imposing a fine of VND 5,000,000 to VND 10,000,000 for one of the following acts:

a) Advertising on the front page of newspapers, on the cover of magazines, except for newspapers, magazines, and special editions dedicated to advertising; advertising during the news program on television and radio.

b) Advertising prescription drugs, vaccines, medical supplies for disease prevention, non-prescription drugs but recommended by competent state authorities to be used with caution or under medical supervision, cosmetics, food, and non-drug products with unclear content that may mislead consumers into believing the product is a drug, advertising medical equipment and medical services without fully disclosing the content of the advertisement according to regulations or without permission from competent state management authorities.

c) Advertising biological products for agriculture, livestock feed, veterinary medicines, plant protection chemicals, fertilizers, fertilizer formulations, crop seeds, animal breeds without fully disclosing the content of the advertisement according to regulations or without approval from competent state management authorities.

4. Imposing a fine of from VND 10,000,000 to VND 20,000,000 for any of the following acts:

a) Advertising the business operations of a person advertising or a person providing advertising services exceeding 50% of the duration of each advertisement on radio and television.

b) Advertising goods or services that have not been permitted to be traded or performed at the time of advertising.

c) Advertising alcohol with an alcohol content of 30 degrees or higher.

d) Advertising with violent or disturbing content.

đ) Using the map of Vietnam for advertising but not fully representing national sovereignty.

e) Using images of Vietnamese currency for advertising.

g) Advertising without Vietnamese voice or writing, except as provided in Clause 1, Article 8 of the Advertising Ordinance.

h) Posting advertisements on computer networks without first submitting the advertisement to the competent state management authority for advertising as required.

5. A fine of VND 20,000,000 to VND 30,000,000 shall be imposed for any of the following acts:

a) Advertising goods or services prohibited from advertising.

b) Advertising false or substandard goods that have been registered.

c) Using advertising to defame the reputation or infringe upon the legitimate rights and interests of organizations or individuals.

d) Advertising containing negative comments or comparisons that reduce the reputation or quality of goods of other organizations or individuals.

đ) Advertising with discriminatory or racist content, infringing upon freedom of belief and religion.

6. A fine of from 30,000,000 VND to 40,000,000 VND shall be imposed for any of the following acts:

a) Advertising that discloses state secrets, harms national independence, sovereignty, defense, security, and social safety.

b) Using the National Flag, National Anthem, National Emblem, images of leaders, Party Flag, International Anthem for advertising.

7. Additional forms of administrative sanction:

Seize the evidence and means of violation for acts specified in points b, c, d, đ, e, g of Clause 4, Clause 5, and Clause 6 of this Article.

8. Measures to remedy consequences:

Order the submission of advertisements in accordance with regulations for violations specified in point h of Clause 4 of this Article.

Article 27. Violations of advertising regulations on publications

1. Fine from VND 3,000,000 to VND 5,000,000 for one of the following acts:

a) Advertising on calendar blocks exceeding 20% of the area of each calendar page;

b) Advertising on calendar pages printed with national holidays or major commemorative days as prescribed by law;

c) Advertising business activities, goods, and services on the cover of various types of books.

2. A fine of VND 5,000,000 to VND 10,000,000 for advertising violations on publications as stipulated in Clauses 1 and 2 of Article 29 of the Law on Publishing.

3. A fine of VND 10,000,000 to VND 20,000,000 for advertising alcoholic beverages with an alcohol content of 30 degrees or higher;

4. A fine of VND 30,000,000 to VND 40,000,000 for advertising goods and services prohibited from being advertised.

5. Additional forms of punishment:

Seizure of evidence of violation for acts prescribed in Clause 3 and Clause 4 of this Article.

6. Measures to remedy consequences:

Order to cancel advertisements for acts prescribed in Points b and c of Clause 1 and Clause 2 of this Article.

Section 4

VIOLATIONS OF REPORTING REGIME AND ILLEGAL OBSTRUCTION OF INSPECTION AND AUDIT ACTIVITIES

Article 28. Violations of reporting regulations

1. A warning or a fine from VND 1,000,000 to VND 3,000,000 shall be imposed for any of the following acts:

a) Changing the headquarters of a press agency or representative office without notifying in writing the competent state management agency for press affairs;

b) Not notifying in writing about the establishment, cessation of operations of a representative office; dispatching and ceasing operations of resident correspondents with the Ministry of Information and Communications and the Provincial Department of Information and Communications where the press agency's representative office is located, dispatching resident correspondents as prescribed;

c) Not implementing reports or explanations of information content to the competent state management agency for press affairs or reporting or explaining inaccurately, not within the required time frame and requirements of the competent state management agency;

d) Changing the headquarters of a publishing house without notifying in writing the competent state management agency for publication activities;

đ) Changing the headquarters of a representative office in Vietnam of a foreign publishing house, foreign publication distribution organization without notifying in writing the competent state management agency for publication activities;

e) Not reporting in writing to the Publishing Administration about the name of the publication, author, website address, and date of online posting before issuing the publication on the internet;

g) A publishing house not notifying in writing to the Publishing Administration when changing the print run;

h) Not reporting to the competent state management agency for publication activities when discovering that the printed or duplicated product content violates the provisions of Article 10 of the Law on Publishing;

i) Not notifying in writing to the licensing authority for printing when changing the address, director, or head of the printing facility;

k) Not reporting to the competent state management agency for publication activities when discovering that the published content violates the provisions of Article 10 of the Law on Publishing during the distribution process.

2. A fine of VND 5,000,000 to VND 10,000,000 for failing to report truthfully as prescribed or upon request of the competent state authority.

3. A fine of VND 10,000,000 to VND 20,000,000 for intentionally falsifying or distorting documents to obtain a journalist card for individuals who do not meet the criteria for obtaining such a card.

4. Additional forms of administrative punishment:

Revocation of the right to use a journalist card for acts prescribed in Clause 3 of this Article.

5. Measures to remedy consequences:

Order to provide full information for acts prescribed in Clause 1 of this Article.

Article 29. Acts of illegally obstructing state management activities, inspection, and supervision

1. A warning or a fine from VND 500,000 to VND 1,000,000 shall be imposed on organizations or individuals who fail to present or present incomplete documents, information, or data to state management agencies in press and publication activities or to persons with authority when requested.

2. A fine of VND 1,000,000 to VND 3,000,000 shall be imposed on one of the following acts:

a) Refusing to comply with decisions or requests for inspection or supervision made by authorized organizations or individuals;

b) Failing to provide documents, data, or providing incomplete or false information for inspection or supervision as required by authorized organizations or individuals;

c) Obstructing inspection or supervision activities conducted by authorized organizations or individuals.

3. A fine of from VND 3,000,000 to VND 5,000,000 shall be imposed for any of the following acts:

a) Insulting or offending persons conducting inspection or supervision;

b) Delaying, evading, or failing to implement administrative decisions of persons with authority, not fulfilling requirements, conclusions, or decisions of inspection or supervision.

4. A fine of VND 5,000,000 to VND 10,000,000 shall be imposed for any of the following acts:

a) Illegally seizing documents or technical equipment of inspection agencies;

b) Arbitrarily removing, destroying seals, arbitrarily altering the scene, changing the quantity or type of goods that are evidence of violations in press and publication activities under inspection, sealing, or temporary detention;

c) Disposing of or destroying evidence or means of inspection or supervision.

5. Measures to remedy consequences:

a) Ordering an apology for the act specified in point a, Clause 3 of this Article;

b) Ordering the recovery of disposed-of evidence or means for the act specified in point c, Clause 4 of this Article.

Chapter III

AUTHORITY AND PROCEDURES FOR ADMINISTRATIVE SANCTIONS IN PRESS AND PUBLICATION ACTIVITIES

Article 30. Authority to impose administrative sanctions for violations in press and publication activities of the specialized Inspection of Information and Communications

1. The specialized Inspection of Information and Communications has the authority to impose administrative sanctions for violations in press and publication activities, including:

a) Press activities;

b) Publication activities;

c) Copyrights and related rights in press and publication activities;

d) Advertising in press and publication activities.

2. Specialized Inspection officers of Information and Communications while performing their duties have the right:

a) To issue warnings;

b) Impose a fine up to 500,000 VND;

c) To confiscate items or means used for administrative violations valued up to two million dong;

d) To exercise the rights prescribed in point 2, Clause 19 of Article 1 of the Ordinance Amending and Supplementing Certain Provisions of the Ordinance on Handling Administrative Violations 2008 and Clause 2 of Article 48 of the Ordinance on Handling Administrative Violations 2002.

3. The Chief Inspector of the Department of Information and Communications has the authority:

a) To issue warnings;

b) Impose fines up to thirty million dong;

c) To revoke the right to use licenses or certificates according to the authority;

d) Confiscate objects and means used to commit administrative violations;

d) To apply measures to remedy consequences as provided for in the provisions of this Decree;

e) To exercise the rights prescribed in point 1, Clause 19 of Article 1 of the Ordinance Amending and Supplementing Certain Provisions of the Ordinance on Handling Administrative Violations 2008.

4. The Chief Inspector of the Ministry of Information and Communications has the authority:

a) To issue warnings;

b) To impose fines up to the maximum level for the fields of press, publication, printing, and distribution as stipulated in this Decree and government decrees on administrative sanctions for advertising, copyright, and related rights violations;

c) To revoke the right to use licenses or certificates according to the authority;

d) Confiscate objects and means used to commit administrative violations;

d) To apply measures to remedy consequences as provided for in the provisions of this Decree;

e) To exercise the rights prescribed in point 1, Clause 19 of Article 1 of the Ordinance Amending and Supplementing Certain Provisions of the Ordinance on Handling Administrative Violations 2008.

5. The Chief Inspector of the Ministry of Information and Communications shall exercise the authority to impose administrative sanctions for violations in press and publication activities against agencies, organizations, and individuals nationwide.

6. The Chief Inspector of the Department of Information and Communications shall exercise the authority to impose administrative sanctions for violations in press and publication activities against agencies, organizations, and individuals within the scope of state management of the People's Committee at the same level. Exercise the authority to impose administrative sanctions against central and local press agencies and publishing houses operating in their locality when authorized.

Article 31. Competence to impose penalties of other specialized inspection agencies

Within the scope of state management authority prescribed by the Government, inspectors and heads of other specialized inspection agencies have the competence to impose penalties on administrative violations in press and publishing activities as stipulated in this Decree within their respective fields of state management.

Article 32. Competence to impose penalties of People's Committees at all levels

Chairpersons of People's Committees at all levels have the authority to impose penalties according to the competencies prescribed in Clauses 4 and 5 of Article 1 of the Ordinance Amending and Supplementing Certain Provisions of the Ordinance on Handling Administrative Violations 2008, Article 30 of the Ordinance on Handling Administrative Violations 2002 amended by the Ordinance Amending Certain Provisions of the Ordinance on Handling Administrative Violations 2007, and Clause 10 of Decree No. 51/2002/NĐ-CP dated June 24, 2002 of the Government detailing the implementation of the Press Law and the Law Amending and Supplementing Certain Provisions of the Press Law within the territorial areas under their management for administrative violations in press and publishing activities as stipulated in this Decree.

Article 33. Competence to impose penalties of the People's Public Security, Border Guard, Coast Guard, Customs, Tax Authority, Market Management Authority

The People's Public Security, Border Guard, Coast Guard, Customs, Tax Authority, and Market Management Authority have the authority to impose penalties according to the competencies prescribed in Clauses 6, 7, 8, 9, and 11 of Article 1 of the Ordinance Amending and Supplementing Certain Provisions of the Ordinance on Handling Administrative Violations 2008 and Article 37 of the Ordinance on Handling Administrative Violations 2002 for administrative violations in press and publishing activities directly related to their respective fields of management as stipulated in this Decree.

Article 34. Procedures for imposing penalties, handling contraband items and means of transportation involved in administrative violations, and enforcing penalty decisions.

Procedures for imposing penalties, handling contraband items and means of transportation involved in administrative violations, and enforcing penalty decisions shall be carried out in accordance with the provisions of the Ordinance on Handling Administrative Violations 2002 and the Ordinance Amending and Supplementing Certain Provisions of the Ordinance on Handling Administrative Violations 2008.

Article 35. Issuance of model inspection reports and decision forms for use in imposing administrative penalties.

Model inspection reports and decision forms for use in imposing administrative penalties in press and publishing activities are issued together with this Decree.

Chapter IV

IMPLEMENTING PROVISIONS

Article 36. Effective Date

This Decree takes effect from February 25, 2011. This Decree replaces the provisions in Section 1, Section 2 Chapter II and Articles 52, 53 Section 8 Chapter II of Decree No. 56/2006/NĐ-CP dated June 6, 2006 of the Government on administrative penalties in cultural and information activities. All previous Government regulations, regulations of Ministries, ministerial-level agencies, and localities that conflict with this Decree are abolished.

Article 37. Responsibility for Implementation

Ministers, Heads of ministerial-level agencies, Heads of government agencies, Chairpersons of provincial and centrally-administered city People's Committees are responsible for implementing this Decree./.