JOINT CIRCULAR No. 02/2012/TTLT-UBDT-BTTTT-BVHTTDL GUIDING THE IMPLEMENTATION OF DECISION No. 2472/QĐ-TTg dated December 28, 2011 of the Prime Minister on providing certain publications of newspapers and magazines to ethnic minority areas and mountainous regions, and particularly difficult areas for the period 2012-2015.

JOINT CIRCULAR

Guidelines for implementing Decision No. 2472/QĐ-TTg

dated December 28, 2011 of the Prime Minister on providing certain publications to ethnic minority areas and mountainous regions,

particularly difficult areas during the period 2012-2015,

Particularly difficult areas during the period 2012-2015,

__________________

Pursuant to Decree No. 84/2008/NĐ-CP dated October 12, 2012 of the Government stipulating the functions, tasks, powers, and organizational structure of the Committee for Ethnic Minorities Affairs;

Pursuant to Decree No. 187/2007/NĐ-CP dated December 25, 2007 of the Government stipulating the functions, tasks, powers, and organizational structure of the Ministry of Information and Communications;

Pursuant to Decree No. 185/2007/NĐ-CP dated December 25, 2007 of the Government stipulating the functions, tasks, powers, and organizational structure of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism;

Pursuant to Decision No. 2472/QĐ-TTg dated December 28, 2011 of the Prime Minister on providing certain publications to ethnic minority areas and mountainous regions, particularly difficult areas during the period 2012-2015,

The Minister, Head of the Committee for Ethnic Minorities Affairs, the Minister of Information and Communications, and the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism issue this Joint Circular guiding the implementation of Decision No. 2472/QĐ-TTg dated December 28, 2011 of the Prime Minister (hereinafter referred to as Decision No. 2472/QĐ-TTg).

Article 1. Scope and Applicability

This Circular guides the provision (without charge) of certain publications to ethnic minority areas and mountainous regions, particularly difficult areas, border areas, islands, during the period 2012-2015; it applies to agencies, units, organizations, localities, and individuals implementing Decision No. 2472/QĐ-TTg.

Article 2. Ethnic Minority Areas and Mountainous Regions, Particularly Difficult Areas

1. Sixty-two poor districts according to Resolution No. 30a/2008/NQ-CP dated December 27, 2008 of the Government and seven poor districts according to Decision No. 615/QĐ-TTg dated April 25, 2011 of the Prime Minister (hereinafter referred to as the sixty-nine poor districts).

2. Particularly difficult communes in ethnic minority and mountainous areas, particularly difficult communes in coastal and island areas:

a) Decision No. 106/2004/QĐ-TTg dated June 11, 2004 of the Prime Minister approving the list of particularly difficult communes in coastal and island areas;

b) Decision No. 164/2006/QĐ-TTg dated July 11, 2006 of the Prime Minister approving the list of particularly difficult communes, border communes, and safe area communes to be invested under the Socio-Economic Development Program for Particularly Difficult Communes in Ethnic Minority and Mountainous Areas for the period 2006-2010 (Phase II of Program 135);

c) Decision No. 113/2007/QĐ-TTg dated July 20, 2007 of the Prime Minister approving the list of communes that have completed the objectives of the Socio-Economic Development Program for Ethnic Minority and Mountainous Areas, Border Areas, and Remote Areas for the period 1995-2005, supplementing communes, villages, and hamlets to be invested under Phase II of Program 135 and communes in coastal and island areas to be invested under the National Target Program to Reduce Poverty for the period 2006-2010;

d) Decision No. 69/2008/QĐ-TTg dated May 28, 2008 of the Prime Minister approving the supplementary list of particularly difficult communes, border communes, and safe area communes to be invested under Phase II of Program 135 and the list of communes removed from investment under Phase II of Program 135;

đ) Decision No. 1105/QĐ-TTg dated July 28, 2009 of the Prime Minister approving the supplementary list of particularly difficult communes, border communes, and safe area communes to be invested under Phase II of Program 135 and the list of communes that have completed their objectives and been removed from investment under Phase II of Program 135;

e) Other decisions of the Prime Minister amending, supplementing, or replacing the list of particularly difficult communes (if any).

3. Particularly difficult villages, buôn, xóm, bản, làng, phum, sóc, ấp... (collectively referred to as village):

a) Decision No. 01/2008/QĐ-UBDT dated January 11, 2008 of the Minister, Head of the Committee for Ethnic Minorities Affairs approving the list of particularly difficult villages in district II to be invested under Phase II of Program 135;

b) Decision No. 325/QĐ-UBDT dated October 19, 2009 of the Minister, Head of the Committee for Ethnic Minorities Affairs approving the list of particularly difficult villages in district II to be invested under Phase II of Program 135;

c) Other decisions of the Minister, Head of the Committee for Ethnic Minorities Affairs amending, supplementing, or replacing the list of particularly difficult villages.

4. Border communes, Khmer temples, residential schools for ethnic minorities.

Article 3. Recipients and levels of distribution for newspapers and magazines

Implemented according to Article 2 of Decision No. 2472/QĐ-TTg, specifically as follows:

1. Provincial level

a) The Ethnic Minorities Committee or provincial ethnic affairs agency, each unit receives 01 copy of the Ethnic Minorities Magazine/issue published;

b) The Provincial Literature and Arts Association, each unit receives 01 copy of the Cultural Magazine of Ethnic Minorities/issue published.

2. District level

a) The Ethnic Minorities Department or district ethnic affairs agency, each unit receives 01 copy of the Ethnic Minorities Magazine/issue published;

b) The District Culture and Information Department, each unit receives 01 copy of the Cultural Magazine of Ethnic Minorities/issue published;

c) The Ethnic Minorities Department of 69 poor districts, each unit receives 04 publications, including: 01 copy of the Ethnic Minorities and Development newspaper; 01 copy of the Culture newspaper; 01 copy of the Rural Today newspaper; 01 copy of the Ethnic Minorities and Mountainous Areas Special Issue (Science and Life Newspaper)/issue published.

3. Commune level

a) People's Committees of communes in ethnic minority and mountainous areas, each unit receives 02 publications, including: 01 copy of the Ethnic Minorities Magazine; 01 copy of the Cultural Magazine of Ethnic Minorities/issue published;

b) People's Committees of communes in 69 poor districts, People's Committees of particularly difficult communes, People's Committees of border communes outside 69 poor districts, each unit receives 09 publications, including: 01 copy of the Ethnic Minorities and Development newspaper; 01 copy of the Culture newspaper; 01 copy of the News newspaper; 01 copy of the Ethnic Minorities and Mountainous Areas Special Issue (Health and Life Newspaper); 01 copy of the Ethnic Minorities and Mountainous Areas Special Issue (Science and Life Newspaper); 01 copy of the Ethnic Minorities and Mountainous Areas Special Issue (Industry and Trade Newspaper); 01 copy of the Ethnic Minorities and Mountainous Areas Special Issue (Labor and Social Affairs Newspaper); 01 copy of the Ethnic Minorities and Mountainous Areas Special Issue (Natural Resources and Environment Newspaper); 01 copy of the Ethnic Minorities and Mountainous Areas Special Issue (Vietnam Law Newspaper)/issue published;

c) People's Committees of border communes, each unit receives 01 copy of the Border Security Supplement (Border Guard Newspaper)/issue published.

4. Village and hamlet level

a) Villages and hamlets in 69 poor districts, each unit receives 06 publications, including: 01 copy of the Ethnic Minorities and Development newspaper; 01 copy of the Culture newspaper; 01 copy of the News newspaper; 01 copy of the Ethnic Minorities and Mountainous Areas Special Issue (Health and Life Newspaper); 01 copy of the Ethnic Minorities and Mountainous Areas Special Issue (Science and Life Newspaper); 01 copy of the Ethnic Minorities and Mountainous Areas Special Issue (Industry and Trade Newspaper)/issue published;

b) Villages and hamlets in particularly difficult communes outside 69 poor districts, each unit receives 04 publications, including: 01 copy of the Ethnic Minorities and Development newspaper; 01 copy of the Culture newspaper; 01 copy of the News newspaper; 01 copy of the Ethnic Minorities and Mountainous Areas Special Issue (Labor and Social Affairs Newspaper)/issue published;

c) Villages and hamlets in particularly difficult communes in Zone II outside 69 poor districts, each unit receives 02 publications, including: 01 copy of the Ethnic Minorities and Development newspaper; 01 copy of the Culture newspaper/issue published;

d) Villages and hamlets in border communes, each unit receives 02 publications, including: 01 copy of the Ethnic Minorities and Development newspaper (except villages and hamlets in border communes of 69 poor districts); 01 copy of the Border Security Supplement (Border Guard Newspaper)/issue published.

5. Border guard posts, stations, teams, and team 123 (Ministry of Defense), each unit receives 03 publications, including: 01 copy of the Ethnic Minorities and Development newspaper; 01 copy of the Border Security Supplement (except team 123); 01 copy of the Cultural Magazine of Ethnic Minorities (except team 123)/issue published.

6. Khmer temples receive 02 publications, including: 01 copy of the Ethnic Minorities and Development newspaper; 01 copy of the Culture newspaper/issue published.

7. Political-social-professional organizations

a) Agricultural Cooperatives Union at commune level, agricultural cooperative branches at village and hamlet level in 69 poor districts; Agricultural Cooperatives Union in particularly difficult communes, agricultural cooperative branches in particularly difficult communes; agricultural cooperative branches in particularly difficult villages and hamlets in Zone II outside 69 poor districts, each unit receives 01 copy of the Rural Today newspaper/issue published;

b) Extension Services at commune level, villages and hamlets in 69 poor districts; Extension Services in particularly difficult communes, Extension Services in border communes outside 69 poor districts, each unit receives 01 copy of the Ethnic Minorities and Mountainous Areas Special Issue (Vietnam Agriculture Newspaper)/issue published;

c) United Front Organizations at commune level, branches at village and hamlet level in 69 poor districts; United Front Organizations in particularly difficult communes, branches in particularly difficult communes; United Front Organizations in border communes outside 69 poor districts, each unit receives 01 copy of the Ethnic Minorities and Mountainous Areas Special Issue (Solidarity Newspaper)/issue published;

d) Women's Unions at commune level, women's branches at village and hamlet level in 69 poor districts; Women's Unions in particularly difficult communes, women's branches in particularly difficult communes; women's branches in particularly difficult villages and hamlets in Zone II; Women's Unions in border communes, women's branches in border communes outside 69 poor districts, each unit receives 01 copy of the Ethnic Minorities and Mountainous Areas Special Issue (Women's Newspaper)/issue published;

đ) Education Promotion Associations in 69 poor districts, Education Promotion Associations in particularly difficult communes, Education Promotion Associations in border communes outside 69 poor districts, each unit receives 01 copy of the Ethnic Minorities and Mountainous Areas Special Issue (Education and Public Opinion Newspaper)/issue published.

8. Schools

a) Primary schools, primary-level boarding schools for ethnic minorities and mountainous areas, border areas, and islands, each class receives 01 copy of the Young Shoots Special Issue (Children's Newspaper)/issue published;

b) Junior high schools, junior-high-level boarding schools for ethnic minorities and mountainous areas, border areas, and islands, each class receives 01 copy of the Ethnic Minority Youth Special Issue (Pioneer Youth Newspaper)/issue published;

c) High schools for ethnic minorities, each unit receives 02 publications, including: 01 copy of the Ethnic Minorities Magazine; 01 copy of the Cultural Magazine of Ethnic Minorities/issue published.

9. Notable individuals, each individual receives 01 copy of the Ethnic Minorities and Development newspaper/issue published.

Article 4. Documents, procedures, and formalities for adjusting and supplementing the recipients and methods of issuing newspapers and magazines

1. Documents:

a) Application of agencies and units proposing changes, adjustments, or supplements to the recipients of newspapers and magazines, accompanied by a list (model issued pursuant to this Circular);

c) Documents and evidence proving the adjustment or change in quantity and recipients eligible for receiving newspapers and magazines (if applicable).

2. Procedures and formalities:

a) The People's Committee of the province shall direct and compile lists of applications from entities under various departments, districts, communes, villages, social-political-professional organizations, and reputable individuals within their jurisdiction; the Ministry of Education and Training shall direct and compile lists of applications from entities specified in Clause 8, Article 3; the Border Guard Command shall direct and compile lists of applications from border guard stations, teams, communes, and border villages, to be submitted to the Ethnic Minorities Committee before November 25 each year;

b) The Ethnic Minorities Committee shall review, compile, and notify the quantity and addresses of recipients of newspapers and magazines from localities and relevant ministries and agencies to the Central Press Distribution Company (as a basis for distribution) and provincial ethnic work agencies (as a basis for inspection and supervision) before December 30 each year.

3. Methods:

Recipients shall receive newspapers and magazines regularly according to the timeframes stipulated in Article 2 of Decision No. 2472/QĐ-TTg.

Article 5. Quantity of Distribution, Advertising, and Special Editions of Newspapers and Magazines

1. Quantity of Distribution

a) The quantity distributed in each period of each newspaper or magazine is determined based on the number ordered by the State according to Decision No. 2472/QĐ-TTg for recipients, the amount supplied to the market (sold for revenue), and the number deposited for archival purposes and sent to management agencies as required by current regulations;

b) Publishing and distribution costs shall be established by newspapers and magazines based on the total quantity published and distributed (State orders and self-management) and reported to the ordering agency prior to implementation.

2. Advertising and Supplemental Publicity Pages

a) The number and content of advertising pages must comply with the Advertising Law without violating Article 10 of the Press Law;

b) The number and content of supplemental publicity pages must comply with the provisions of the Press Law, the State Budget Law, and other current regulations.

3. Special Editions

News agencies must report to the Ethnic Minorities Committee after obtaining approval from the Press Department (Ministry of Information and Communications) before implementing special issues (combined issues) on occasions such as holidays, traditional days, and anniversaries.

Article 6. Criteria for Evaluating the Quality and Effectiveness of Newspapers and Magazines

1. Form

a) Attractive layout; large font, combined with images; clear printing, within the designated format, correct color, and type of paper as prescribed;

b) National newspapers must include at least one four-color page dedicated to ethnic minority regions and mountainous areas, and particularly difficult regions in each issue, with the name and logo displayed at the top of the page;

c) Special topics (State orders) in newspapers titled "Ethnic Minorities and Mountainous Regions" must indicate the day, date, month, and year of publication at the header (top of page 1), and clearly state on the cover: "This publication is provided by the State free of charge to readers according to Decision No. 2472/QĐ-TTg";

2. Content of Articles, Photos

a) Adhere to the objectives, purposes, and language stated in the Press Business License issued by the Ministry of Information and Communications. Simultaneously, closely follow the Party's guidelines and policies, State laws on ethnic affairs, current political situations, and practical life, vividly reflecting all aspects of activities in ethnic minority and mountainous regions, particularly difficult regions, borders, and islands; providing extensive information on knowledge of daily life, production experience, preservation, and promotion of ethnic cultural identity;

b) Writing and editing should be concise, easy to read, remember, and follow, suitable for the educational level, cultural identity, customs, and traditions of different ethnic minorities and regions; illustrations and photos must clearly convey the theme, have a tight composition, and not be blurry, with sufficient explanatory information;

c) Do not copy content from other publications.

Article 7. Issuance, management, and use of newspapers and magazines

1. Issuance

The Central Press Distribution Company (Vietnam Post Corporation - Ministry of Information and Communications) shall be responsible for issuing newspapers and magazines to ethnic minority and mountainous areas, special hardship regions, ensuring sufficient quantity, timely delivery, correct address, and type of publication according to the list provided by the National Ethnic Committee, while also obtaining signatures from participating units and individuals.

2. Management and use of newspapers and magazines

a) Newspapers and magazines issued to localities (districts, communes, villages):

- Individuals receiving the publications shall be responsible for managing and using them to grasp information for advisory work, guidance, and propaganda dissemination among the people to effectively implement the Party's policies and State laws at the locality level. They also have the responsibility to distribute the publications down to the grassroots level so that everyone can read them.

- Localities with libraries, reading rooms, and cultural postal stations shall concentrate newspapers and magazines for the people to read or use the "read aloud, listen together" method. In areas with radio stations, they shall read the publications during broadcasting programs.

- The People's Commune Council shall establish and promulgate regulations on managing, using, and preserving newspapers and magazines effectively and appropriately, creating favorable conditions and environments for all residents to read the issued publications. They shall regularly organize inspections and supervision, promptly rectify the management and use of newspapers and magazines issued to villages, and collect comments, evaluations, and readers' wishes regarding the quality, content, form, and effectiveness of each publication to accurately and timely report back to the relevant agencies implementing Decision No. 2472/QD-TTg.

b) Newspapers and magazines issued to border guard posts, teams, and work teams 123, self-managed units, and organizations setting up reading rooms to facilitate officers and soldiers in receiving information and enhancing their propaganda mobilization capabilities.

c) Newspapers and magazines issued to schools and classes, to be read during class meetings and then transferred to the school library. Schools shall be responsible for promulgating specific regulations on managing, utilizing, and effectively using the publications so that all students can read, view, and hear them.

d) Newspapers and magazines issued to mass organizations, managed centrally at organizational levels. Mass organizations shall be responsible for promulgating regulations on managing, utilizing, and creating conditions for members to read them, while using them as propaganda materials in concentrated meetings.

Article 8. Implementation organization

1. The National Ethnic Committee

a) Take the lead and coordinate with relevant Ministries, agencies, and localities to develop plans for inspecting, supervising, and evaluating the quality and effectiveness of newspapers and magazines issued to beneficiaries.

b) Develop annual budget estimates to submit to the Ministry of Finance for consolidation and reporting to the Prime Minister for submission to the National Assembly for approval according to the planned timeline.

c) Take the lead and coordinate with news agencies, distribution units, and localities to develop annual plans for publishing and distributing newspapers and magazines. Simultaneously, review and adjust the number and addresses of recipients in ethnic minority and mountainous areas, special hardship regions, border areas, and islands receiving newspapers and magazines.

d) Organize mid-term and final reviews, draw lessons, evaluate results, and effectiveness of the policy of providing (without charge) certain newspapers and magazines to ethnic minority and mountainous areas, special hardship regions, compile reports on assessments and recommendations to the Prime Minister for adjustment and supplementation as appropriate.

2. Ministry of Information and Communications

a) Issue press licenses to newspapers and magazines participating in implementing Decision No. 2472/QD-TTg. Lead and coordinate with relevant agencies to manage information, check deposit copies, and supervise newspapers and magazines to ensure compliance with their purposes and objectives.

b) Direct and inspect the transportation and issuance of newspapers and magazines to ensure timeliness, correct recipients, and correct addresses. Lead the development of management mechanisms and support policies for commune postmen to improve the quality of transportation and issuance services for newspapers and magazines serving ethnic minorities and mountainous areas, special hardship regions.

c) Coordinate with the National Ethnic Committee to hold regular quarterly press conferences; every six months and annually, conduct reviews and evaluations of the quality, form, and effectiveness of propaganda of newspapers and magazines issued to ethnic minority and mountainous areas, special hardship regions.

3. Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism

a) Coordinate with relevant agencies and localities to guide, monitor, and evaluate the quality and form of newspapers and magazines issued (without charge) to ethnic minority and mountainous areas, special hardship regions, and the effectiveness of local implementation of the policy.

b) Annually, lead and coordinate with the National Ethnic Committee, the Ministry of Information and Communications, and news agencies to train reporters, editors, and contributors on new content in propaganda work serving ethnic minorities, including cultural, customs, and traditions of ethnic minorities.

4. Managing bodies of newspapers and magazines

a) Be responsible for performing assigned tasks. Direct news agencies to operate in accordance with the Press Law, press licenses issued, and other current legal provisions.

b) Coordinate with relevant agencies and localities to monitor, inspect, and evaluate the effectiveness of policy implementation. Report results of assigned tasks to the National Ethnic Committee every six months and annually.

5. News agencies, magazines, and distribution units

a) Establish operational regulations for departments responsible for issuing newspapers and magazines to beneficiaries according to Decision No. 2472/QD-TTg and other guiding documents.

b) Propose to competent state authorities the costs of publication and postage rates for various newspapers and magazines according to Decision No. 2472/QD-TTg.

c) Periodically every quarter, six months, and annually, conduct self-inspection and evaluate the results of issuing (without charging fees) certain publications such as newspapers and magazines, the quality of content and form according to the criteria set forth in Article 6, along with recommendations to improve the quality of publication and distribution services to better meet the information needs of ethnic minority and mountainous regions' people, and report to the National Ethnic Minorities Committee and relevant Ministries and sectors for consideration and resolution.

6. Provincial People's Committee

a) Direct provincial departments, agencies, related units, and district-level People's Committees to implement Decision No. 2472/QĐ-TTg within their jurisdiction;

b) Entrust the provincial ethnic affairs agency, as the permanent body, to take the lead and coordinate with local agencies, departments, and mass organizations to advise and propose to the Provincial People's Committee on effectively implementing the policy of issuing (without charging fees) certain publications such as newspapers and magazines locally; develop plans, organize inspections, and supervise the management, utilization, and evaluation of the quality of content and form of these publications; review and compile lists and addresses of beneficiaries of the policy within their jurisdiction to submit to the Provincial People's Committee for signature and submission to the National Ethnic Minorities Committee;

c) Periodically every six months and annually survey public opinions on information needs, assess the effectiveness and quality of content and form of publications such as newspapers and magazines, report the results and difficulties encountered during the implementation of Decision No. 2472/QĐ-TTg to the National Ethnic Minorities Committee for consolidation and submission to the Prime Minister for adjustment, revision, and supplementation as appropriate.

Article 9. Effective Date

1. This Circular takes effect from February 1, 2013.

2. The policy of issuing certain publications such as newspapers and magazines to ethnic minority and mountainous regions, and particularly difficult areas, as stipulated in this Circular shall be considered effective from January 1, 2012, and integrated with other policies having the same content and purpose currently being implemented in the region.

During the implementation process, if there are any issues, please reflect them to the National Ethnic Minorities Committee for coordination with relevant Ministries and sectors to consider and resolve./.