Circular No. 03/2019/TT-BQP on the management of press activities within the Ministry of National Defense

 

CIRCULAR

REGULATIONS ON THE MANAGEMENT OF PRESS IN THE MINISTRY OF NATIONAL DEFENSE

Pursuant to the Press Law dated April 5, 2016;

Pursuant to Decree No. 88/2012/NĐ-CP dated October 23, 2012 of the Government on the activities of foreign press, foreign representative offices, and foreign organizations in Vietnam;

Pursuant to Decree No. 09/2017/NĐ-CP dated February 9, 2017 of the Government detailing public statements and provision of information to the press by state administrative agencies;

Based on Decree No. 164/2017/NĐ-CP dated December 30, 2017, of the Government stipulating the functions, tasks, powers, and organizational structure of the Ministry of National Defense;

At the proposal of the Director of the General Political Department;

The Minister of National Defense promulgates this Circular regulating the management of press in the Ministry of National Defense.

PART I
GENERAL PROVISIONS

Article 1. Scope of Regulation

This Circular regulates the management of press; the responsibilities of agencies, units, organizations, and individuals related to the management of press and press activities within the Ministry of National Defense.

Article 2. Applicability

This Circular applies to agencies, units, organizations, and individuals related to the management of press and press activities within the Ministry of National Defense.

Article 3. Explanation of Terms

In this Circular, the following terms are understood as follows:

1. The directing agency and the managing agency for press are advisory bodies of the Party and State regarding leadership, direction, and management of press activities, political and ideological guidance in press content; at the central level, it is the Central Propaganda Department and the Ministry of Information and Communications; at the Ministry of National Defense, it is the Political Bureau; at subordinate agencies and units of the Ministry of National Defense, it is the political department.

2. Political and ideological guidance in press content is the activity of the directing and managing agency for press aimed at guiding press agencies to provide accurate, timely information on political and ideological issues in accordance with the regulations of the Party and state laws.

Article 4. Principles of press management in the Ministry of National Defense

1. Press work in the Ministry of National Defense is a part of ideological work of the Party in the military, an important component in party work and political work; serving the political tasks of the Party, State, and military.

2. Press work in the Ministry of National Defense is placed under comprehensive leadership of the Central Military Commission, management by the Ministry of National Defense, directly by the Political Bureau; subject to guidance from the Central Propaganda Department and state management by the Ministry of Information and Communications.

3. Party committees, commanders, and political departments of subordinate units of the Ministry of National Defense directly lead and manage all activities of press agencies under their authority according to the Press Law 2016 (hereinafter referred to as the Press Law) and regulations of the Ministry of National Defense on press activities.

Chapter II
MANAGEMENT OF PRESS IN THE MINISTRY OF NATIONAL DEFENSE

Article 5. State management agency for press in the Ministry of National Defense

1. The Ministry of National Defense is the state management agency for press and press activities in the Ministry of National Defense as stipulated in Clause 3, Article 7 of the Press Law.

2. The Political Bureau bears responsibility before the Ministry of National Defense for implementing state management over press and press activities within its jurisdiction.

3. The Propaganda Training Department is the leading agency, advising the Political Bureau to assist the Central Military Commission and the Ministry of National Defense in leading and managing press activities in the Ministry of National Defense. Political departments of subordinate agencies and units of the Ministry of National Defense are advisory agencies assisting party committees and commanders in managing press agencies under their authority.

Article 6. Content of state management of press in the Ministry of National Defense

1. Directing the construction, planning, and development plan for the press system in the Ministry of National Defense.

2. Issuing and organizing the implementation of legal normative documents on press; press systems and policies in the Ministry of National Defense.

3. Organizing information for press and managing press information related to military, national defense, and defense diplomacy activities.

4. Training and enhancing the political, professional, cultural, and ethical standards of press officers and journalists.

5. Proposing the Ministry of Information and Communications to issue, amend, supplement, or revoke press licenses. Directing press agencies to comply with procedures for issuing, changing, or revoking journalist cards.

6. Managing the activities of domestic and foreign press correspondents visiting agencies and units under the Ministry of National Defense to publicize military, national defense, and defense diplomacy tasks.

7. Participating in international cooperation on press, coordinating with Vietnamese press agencies to manage the activities of permanent correspondents abroad concerning content related to defense diplomacy and the activities of foreign press in agencies and units under the Ministry of National Defense.

8. Inspecting press censorship work.

9. Organizing and directing commendation work in press activities.

10. Inspecting the implementation of press work in the Ministry of National Defense; resolving complaints and denunciations in accordance with the law.

Article 7. Press Conferences

1. The Political Bureau shall organize press conferences for military newspapers under the Central Military Commission once a month, chaired by the General Department of Politics.

2. The General Department of Politics shall organize sectoral press conferences once every quarter, chaired by the General Department of Politics.

3. In cases of necessity, extraordinary press conferences may be organized.

Article 8. Registration of Publications

1. Publications from military newspapers under the Ministry of National Defense must be registered according to Article 52 of the Press Law.

2. Internal newsletters, information sheets, and bulletins circulated within units must submit two copies to the Propaganda Department for review, evaluation, and comments on the content of the information provided.

Article 9. Provision of Information to the Press

1. Within their scope of authority and responsibilities, agencies, units, organizations, and individuals responsible in the Ministry of National Defense have the right and obligation to provide information to the press and bear legal responsibility before the law and superior agencies regarding the content of the information provided.

Providing information to the press can be done through written means; on the Ministry of National Defense's electronic portal, the unit's comprehensive electronic information page; press conferences; interviews, and other forms consistent with legal regulations.

The content of providing information to the press shall be carried out according to the provisions of Articles 6, 7, and 8 of Circular No. 183/2017/TT-BQP dated August 4, 2017, issued by the Minister of National Defense on spokesperson activities and provision of information to the press in the Ministry of National Defense, and Articles 4, 5, and 6 of Circular No. 64/2018/TT-BQP dated May 15, 2018, issued by the Minister of National Defense on implementation of information provision in the Ministry of National Defense. Press agencies must use the provided information correctly and clearly indicate the source of the information.

2. When providing important, complex, or sensitive information to the press, the head of the agency or unit under the Ministry of National Defense must seek opinions from competent authorities. If immediate provision of information to reporters is not possible, the head must take responsibility to research and provide information to the press as quickly as possible.

3. Agencies, units, organizations, and authorized individuals have the right to refuse to provide information to the press according to Clause 2, Article 38 of the Press Law.

Article 10. Activities of Domestic Journalists in Information and Press

1. Domestic journalists wishing to conduct information and press activities related to agencies and units under the Ministry of National Defense must present their journalist card (if applicable), identification card, or citizen identity card, along with one of the following documents: Introduction letter from the press agency, introduction letter from the competent political authority, or invitation letter from the unit.

The introduction letter must clearly state: Full name (pen name), position, title; purpose of work, name of the agency, unit, individual to be contacted, duration of stay; the introduction letter from the press agency must be signed by the Editor-in-Chief (Director) or Deputy Editor-in-Chief (Deputy Director) and stamped by the agency.

2. In cases where tasks or events occur rapidly, requiring timely information, and the content does not involve complex or sensitive issues, agencies and units shall proactively contact central or local press agencies for publicity and bear responsibility for the content of the information provided to the press.

3. Journalists accompanying a delegation of the Ministry of National Defense abroad to report and publicize the visit and work of the delegation must be managed by the delegation leader and the information and propaganda officer of the Foreign Affairs Department; upon completion of the mission, they must report results to the managing agency, press agency, and send articles, photos back to the Propaganda Department for promotional purposes.

Article 11. Activities of foreign press and information

1. Foreign resident journalists in Vietnam

a) When foreign resident journalists in Vietnam request to conduct press and information activities at agencies and units under the Ministry of National Defense; to meet with and interview leaders of the Ministry of National Defense, General Staff, Political Bureau, and leaders and commanders of agencies and units directly under the Ministry of National Defense, the Resident Office shall submit one set of application files directly or through postal service to the Political Bureau (through the Propaganda Department), while informing the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for coordination.

The application file includes: A press and information activity request letter according to the model issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (in case of interviews, questions must be sent beforehand, and if filming, the script must be attached); a copy of the foreign journalist card of the resident journalist.

Within five working days from the date of receiving complete application files, the Political Bureau is responsible for replying to the Resident Office in writing.

b) When conducting press and information activities within agencies and units under the Ministry of National Defense, journalists must carry the approval document of the Political Bureau, the foreign journalist card issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and passport; they must operate according to the purpose and program recorded in the Political Bureau's approval document and the guidance of agency staff.

2. Non-resident foreign journalists in Vietnam

a) When non-resident foreign journalists in Vietnam request to conduct press and information activities at military agencies and units, to meet with and interview leaders of the Ministry of National Defense, General Staff, Political Bureau, and leaders and commanders of agencies and units directly under the Ministry of National Defense, the foreign press guide agency (the Foreign Press Guidance Center under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or one agency approved by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs) shall send a letter to the Political Bureau (through the Propaganda Department). The letter clearly states the delegation members (journalist names, media organizations, nationalities, passport numbers, years of birth), purpose, content of activities, time, location of work, expected interview questions, film script (if applicable).

Within five working days from the date of receiving the letter, the Political Bureau will reply in writing to approve or not approve the foreign press guide agency.

b) For journalists accompanying foreign delegations visiting Vietnam at the invitation of Party and State leaders or the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of National Defense, General Staff, Political Bureau to report on visits taking place at agencies and units under the Ministry of National Defense, the Vietnamese host agency has the responsibility to notify the list of journalists to the Political Bureau (through the Propaganda Department), while informing the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for coordination.

c) In cases where foreign journalists request to conduct press and information activities outside the official program of foreign delegations at agencies and units under the Ministry of National Defense, the Vietnamese host agency shall report in writing to the Political Bureau (through the Propaganda Department) for consideration and resolution; simultaneously notify the Department of Information and Press/MoFA for coordination during the guidance process of journalists.

d) When conducting press and information activities within agencies and units under the Ministry of National Defense, journalists must carry the press activity permit issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and passport; they must operate according to the purpose and program recorded in the Political Bureau's approval document and the guidance of agency staff.

3. Other cases

a) Cases where foreigners entering Vietnam through joint ventures, scientific cooperation, production have press and information activities must comply with regulations as stipulated for non-resident foreign journalists in Clause 2 of this Article.

b) Cases where foreigners request to conduct press and information activities about literature, arts, cinema, museums at agencies and units under the Ministry of National Defense must have an introduction letter from the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism sent to the Political Bureau (through the Propaganda Department) for consideration and resolution; when conducting such activities at agencies and units under the Ministry of National Defense, foreigners must carry their passports and can only operate according to the content of the Political Bureau's approval document; subject to management and guidance by agency staff.

Article 12. Journalist Contacts

Officers, soldiers, professional military personnel, defense civil servants, contractual workers must maintain proper etiquette and demeanor when interacting with journalists; they shall not use foreign languages when communicating with foreign press journalists; when responding to interviews and providing information related to the military to domestic press journalists, such actions must be approved by the competent authority. In necessary cases, security and propaganda agencies of units are responsible for recording audio and video of interview responses.

Article 13. Press Conferences

The rights and responsibilities of agencies and units in organizing press conferences are implemented according to the provisions of Article 41 of the Press Law. Specifically, within the Ministry of National Defense, it is carried out as follows:

1. Agencies and units under the Ministry of National Defense that organize press conferences to provide information to the press must report in writing to the Political General Department (through the Propaganda Bureau) at least 24 hours before the scheduled press conference time. The content of the press conference must align with the content of the approved written document from the Propaganda Bureau.

2. For agencies and units stationed in provinces and cities that require holding press conferences, they must develop a press conference plan, which must be approved by the superior political agency head and reported in writing to the local Department of Information and Communications at least 24 hours before the scheduled press conference time. They are responsible for legal consequences and superiors regarding the content of provided information.

3. Foreign delegations visiting Vietnam upon invitation by the Minister of National Defense, Chief of General Staff, Director of the Political General Department, when there is a need for a press conference or if it has been agreed upon in the official program of the delegation, the Foreign Affairs Bureau - the main reception unit is responsible for coordinating with the Propaganda Bureau and the Military Security Protection Bureau to organize and implement the press conference, and notify the Ministry of Information and Communications in writing at least two working days before the press conference.

In the case of urgent and emergency press conferences, after the request of the delegation leader, foreign diplomatic agencies, organizations, or authorized agencies of the Ministry of National Defense, the Vietnamese National Defense Delegation Leader will consider each specific case; while implementing Clause 10 of Article 56 of the Press Law.

Article 14. Inspection and Reporting System

1. Every six months and annually, the Political General Department organizes inspections on the implementation of tasks by press agencies within the Ministry of National Defense.

2. Monthly, quarterly, press agencies and political agencies of units under the Ministry of National Defense report the results of their propaganda and press work (in writing) to the Political General Department (through the Propaganda Bureau). Monthly reports are due by the 25th of each month, quarterly reports are due by the 5th of the first month of the following quarter.

Chapter III
RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE AGENCIES AND UNITS

Article 15. Responsibilities of the Political General Department

The Political General Department directs agencies and units under the Ministry of National Defense to manage press activities according to the provisions of Article 6 of this Circular.

1. Directing, guiding, and inspecting agencies and units under the Ministry of National Defense to thoroughly understand and implement legal documents, plans, and programs concerning the press sector issued by the Party and State; decisions, directives, and other documents about the press approved by the Central Military Commission and the Minister of National Defense.

2. Reviewing plans, projects, and development schemes for managing the press submitted by agencies and units for consideration and approval by the Central Military Commission and the Ministry of National Defense.

3. Providing political and ideological guidance in the activities of press agencies.

4. Cooperating with the School of Journalism and Propaganda to organize training and capacity building for press management cadres and spokespersons of units under the Ministry of National Defense; enhancing the political, professional, and ethical standards of the press cadre and journalist teams.

5. Cooperating with central ministries, sectors, and news agencies to carry out information and propaganda work on military, national defense, and defense diplomacy.

6. Directing main management agencies and press agencies to strictly follow procedures for issuing, amending, supplementing, revoking press licenses; issuing, replacing, and revoking press cards; approving press conferences according to the law on press.

7. Directing functional agencies to implement international cooperation in the press field; managing the activities of foreign press journalists at agencies and units under the Ministry of National Defense.

8. Directing the Propaganda Bureau and main management agencies, press agencies to properly implement press archiving.

9. Directing functional agencies to strictly follow procedures for appointing heads of press agencies after obtaining agreement from the Central Propaganda Department and the Ministry of Information and Communications; dismissing, rewarding, and disciplining deputy heads of press agencies.

10. Directing agencies and units to implement information and reporting systems; commendation and disciplinary work in press activities; strictly handling violations of press laws.

Article 16. Responsibilities of the Propaganda Training Department

1. Coordinate with functional agencies of the Central Propaganda Steering Committee, Ministry of Information and Communications, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and related agencies to implement contents related to press management within the Ministry of National Defense.

2. Guide propaganda on military tasks, national defense, defense diplomacy, especially important, complex, sensitive information directly affecting national defense, security, and public opinion.

3. Advise and review files for appointing heads and deputy heads of press agencies under units of the Ministry of National Defense, submit to the Chief of the Political General Department for consideration and decision.

4. Receive, examine, and introduce domestic non-resident journalists and foreign media representatives to units, simultaneously notify the political agency of the unit's direct superior about the presence of journalists for guidance and management of information provision.

5. Lead coordination with the External Relations Department and related agencies to provide information to the press on defense diplomatic activities and the participation of the Vietnam People's Army in United Nations peacekeeping operations.

6. Lead coordination with the Military Security Protection Department and related agencies to review domestic and foreign journalists and their script contents, interview contents related to military activities, national defense, and defense diplomatic activities; manage domestic and foreign journalists in press activities within the Ministry of National Defense.

7. Lead coordination with functional agencies to inspect press agencies within the Ministry of National Defense in compliance with laws on press.

Article 17. Responsibilities of the Press Management Agency

1. Direct subordinate press agencies to follow central propaganda directives, management, and information guidance from the Central Propaganda Steering Committee, Ministry of Information and Communications, and the Political General Department; operate according to the objectives and purposes specified in the operating license. Bear legal responsibility before the law, superiors, and their own party committees regarding the activities of subordinate press agencies.

2. Develop and perfect working regulations between the managing agency and press agencies; personnel planning and training.

3. Appoint heads of press agencies after reaching a written agreement with the Political General Department, Central Propaganda Steering Committee, and Ministry of Information and Communications.

4. Remove or dismiss heads of press agencies and send written notifications to the Political General Department (through the Propaganda Training Department) and the Ministry of Information and Communications.

5. Implement inspection, commendation, and disciplinary actions according to legal provisions and military regulations.

6. Ensure funding, equipment, and means for press agencies to operate, meeting requirements for development in a multi-media environment.

Article 18. Responsibilities of Press Agencies

1. Strictly comply with the Law on Press and related legal regulations concerning press activities; operate according to the objectives and purposes specified in the operating license.

2. Promote Party guidelines, policies, state laws, and Vietnam's national defense policies, particularly the new National Defense Strategy, National Defense Strategy, Vietnam Military Strategy, National Border Defense Strategy, and National Defense Strategy in cyberspace; participate in theoretical research, practical summaries, and dissemination of experiences across political, economic, cultural-social, national defense-security, and diplomatic fields.

3. Promote the history and traditions of the Army; military tasks, national defense, defense diplomacy, and Army activities to enhance awareness and responsibility among officers, soldiers, and civilians for the mission of building and defending the country.

4. Educate to enhance political resilience, moral character, lifestyle; promote learning and practicing Ho Chi Minh's thoughts, morality, and style; meet cultural and spiritual needs; encourage and motivate officers, soldiers, and civilians to contribute to building a revolutionary, regular, elite, increasingly modern Vietnam People's Army, successfully fulfilling assigned missions.

5. Struggle against incorrect viewpoints, thoughts, and actions; counter plots and tactics of "peaceful evolution," violent subversion by hostile forces; prevent and reverse ideological-political degradation, moral decline, lifestyle corruption, and self-evolution and self-transformation phenomena within the organization.

6. Collaborate in press activities with other press agencies in accordance with Article 37 of the Law on Press.

7. Strictly adhere to the retention system as stipulated in points c and d, Clause 1, Article 52 of the Law on Press.

8. Strictly adhere to the information reporting system and commendation-disciplinary work in press activities.

Article 19. Responsibilities of the Head of the Press Agency

1. Strictly comply with the regulations of the Party, laws of the State, and regulations of the Ministry of National Defense on press activities. Lead the construction and implementation of tasks to provide information and propaganda on Marxism-Leninism, Ho Chi Minh's thoughts; the viewpoints, policies, and laws of the Party and the State; military and defense tasks, national defense foreign relations, and other tasks according to the Law on Press.

2. Organize the reception, processing, and publication of information consistent with the objectives, target audience, and information orientation of the Party, laws of the State, and regulations of the Ministry of National Defense.

3. Coordinate with competent agencies to build plans for training, development, and management of staff and reporters of the agency.

4. Bear responsibility before the Party organization, the managing agency, and the law for the activities of the press agency.

Article 20. Responsibilities of Agencies, Units, and Organizations within the Ministry of National Defense

1. Agencies, units, and organizations within the Ministry of National Defense proactively coordinate with news agencies and press agencies to develop programs and plans for propaganda on military and defense tasks, national defense foreign relations.

2. Political organs of units under the Ministry of National Defense closely follow the guidance of higher-level business agencies regarding press management work; direct, guide, inspect, and politically orientate the activities of subordinate press agencies; receive and resolve issues for domestic journalists, foreign journalists coming to agencies and units to work based on the introduction letter from the managing agency and the Propaganda Department; issue introduction letters for domestic press agencies' resident correspondents in the area; provide full and accurate information to press agencies for propaganda through mass media.

3. Units stationed in remote areas, border regions, islands requiring press activities, commanders, political organs, and political cadres of units are permitted to invite domestic press agencies' resident correspondents in the area, while reporting to higher-level leadership and command and bearing responsibility for the content of work with reporters.

4. Agencies and units performing special, important, confidential tasks implementing research, testing, technology transfer, weapons, and equipment projects with foreign partners must strictly implement confidentiality work for information, military secrets, and national defense; refrain from engaging in press activities without the consent of the Political General Department.

5. The Military Security Protection Bureau takes the lead, coordinates with the Propaganda Department and related agencies to advise the Political General Department to assist the Central Military Commission and the Ministry of National Defense in leading, directing, and guiding security protection work for press activities within the Ministry of National Defense.

Chapter IV
IMPLEMENTING PROVISIONS

Article 21. Effective Date

This Circular takes effect from February 26, 2019, and replaces Circular No. 164/2014/TT-BQP dated November 17, 2014, issued by the Minister of National Defense on the Regulations on Press Management in the Vietnam People's Army.

Article 22. Responsibility for enforcement

1. The Director of the Political General Department, heads of agencies, units, organizations, and individuals concerned shall be responsible for implementing this Circular.

2. During the implementation process, if there are difficulties or obstacles, agencies and units shall promptly reflect them to the Political General Department (through the Propaganda Department) for study and resolution.