CIRCULAR

Regulations on Publishing and Broadcasting Foreign Information Content in the Press

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Pursuant to the Press Law dated April 5, 2016;

Pursuant to Decree No. 72/2013/ND-CP dated July 15, 2013 of the Government on management, provision, and use of Internet services and information on networks, and Decree No. 27/2018/ND-CP dated March 1, 2018 of the Government amending and supplementing certain articles of Decree No. 72/2013/ND-CP dated July 15, 2013 on management, provision, and use of Internet services and information on networks;

Pursuant to Decree No. 72/2015/ND-CP dated September 7, 2015 of the Government on management of foreign information activities;

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

Pursuant to Decree No. 17/2017/ND-CP dated February 17, 2017 of the Government stipulating functions, tasks, powers, and organizational structure of the Ministry of Information and Communications;

At the proposal of the Director of the Department of Foreign Information,

The Minister of Information and Communications issues this Circular regulating the publication and broadcasting of foreign information content in the press.

PART I

GENERAL PROVISIONS

Article 1. Scope of Regulation

This Circular regulates foreign information content in the press; the publication and broadcasting of foreign information content in the press; rights and responsibilities of press agencies, responsibilities of organizations and individuals related to the publication and broadcasting of foreign information content in the press.

Article 2. Applicability

This Circular applies to press agencies, press supervisory agencies; Departments of Information and Communications; agencies, organizations, and individuals related to the publication and broadcasting of foreign information content in the press.

Article 3. Explanation of Terms

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

1. Foreign press includes print newspapers, online newspapers, foreign radio channels, and television channels.

2. Press agencies carry out the publication and broadcasting of foreign information content includes print newspapers, online newspapers, radio channels, and television channels, excluding foreign press as defined in Clause 1 of this Article.

Article 4. Foreign Information Content in the Press

Foreign information content in the press comprises official information about Vietnam, promotional information about Vietnam's image, information about global situations affecting Vietnam, and explanations clarifying provisions in Clause 1 of Articles 7, 8, 9, and 10 of Decree No. 72/2015/ND-CP dated September 7, 2015 of the Government on management of foreign information activities.

Article 5. Principles for Publishing and Broadcasting Foreign Information Content in the Press

1. Publish and broadcast information content in accordance with the Party’s guidelines, State policies and laws, and in line with the interests of the country and the Vietnamese people.

2. Do not publish or broadcast information content that negatively impacts Vietnam's position and image; harms international relations and cooperation between Vietnam and other countries; incites violence, propaganda for war of aggression, and fosters hatred among different nations and peoples.

Chapter II

REQUIREMENTS FOR PUBLISHING AND BROADCASTING FOREIGN INFORMATION CONTENT IN THE PRESS

Article 6. For Foreign Press

1. For information on important issues of Vietnam and the world: After receiving the viewpoint of the Vietnamese State provided by the competent authority, the publication and broadcasting shall be carried out as follows:

a) Position for publication and broadcasting: Front page for print newspapers; homepage for online newspapers; news bulletin for foreign radio and television channels;

b) Time for publication and broadcasting: No later than two hours for online newspapers; five hours for online newspapers requiring translation; 24 hours for print newspapers; broadcast in the next news bulletin for foreign radio and television channels.

2. For explanatory information: Publish and broadcast at easily accessible positions and at the earliest time possible.

3. For other foreign information content as stipulated in Article 4 of this Circular: Publish and broadcast during daytime.

4. Language expression in Vietnamese and foreign languages:

a) Increase the number of news articles and programs produced in foreign languages (without translation process) for publication and broadcasting in the press;

b) Proactively increase the number of languages expressed in foreign languages to serve the target audience of foreign information in different countries, with emphasis on developing languages in key areas of foreign information according to each period.

Article 7. Regarding the press carrying out the publication and broadcasting of foreign information content

When carrying out the publication and broadcasting of foreign information content, it is encouraged to:

1. Publish and broadcast promptly at easily accessible positions.

2. Publish and broadcast information on the views of the Vietnamese State on domestic and international issues at the earliest time or according to the requirements of competent state agencies.

3. Publish and broadcast news articles and programs containing foreign information content in foreign languages or with foreign language subtitles to promote the effectiveness of foreign information dissemination.

4. Local radio and television stations:

a) Organize rebroadcasting of foreign information content aired on national radio and television stations based on agreements between media agencies regarding publication and broadcasting needs;

b) Provide local content for publication and broadcasting on foreign media to promote the image of the locality to the world.

Chapter III

RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF RELATED UNITS

Article 8. Rights and responsibilities of foreign press

1. Rights of foreign press:

a) To be prioritized by the State for ordering the publication and broadcasting of foreign information content on the press;

b) To be provided favorable conditions by the State to carry out the publication and broadcasting of foreign information content on Vietnamese press and foreign media outlets.

2. Responsibilities of foreign press:

a) Establish special sections, columns (for print and online newspapers), groups of programs, special topics (for radio and television channels) on foreign information content;

b) Ensure that there are reporters and editors following foreign information;

c) Coordinate and share news articles and programs funded by the State with other media agencies, organizations, and media outlets both domestically and internationally;

d) Proactively publish and broadcast news articles and programs promoting the image of Vietnam on foreign media outlets and Vietnamese press abroad;

e) Encourage the selection of news articles and programs on foreign information content for publication and broadcasting on social networks, ensuring intellectual property rights and principles governing the management, provision, and use of information online as prescribed by law;

f) Conduct summaries, propose commendations, and report the results of implementing foreign information content on the press to the Ministry of Information and Communications before November 30 each year or when requested (in accordance with the form attached to this Circular).

Article 9. Rights and responsibilities of the press carrying out the publication and broadcasting of foreign information content

1. Rights of the press carrying out the publication and broadcasting of foreign information content:

a) To be ordered by the State to publish and broadcast foreign information content on the press;

b) To be provided favorable conditions by the State to carry out the publication and broadcasting of foreign information content on Vietnamese press.

2. Responsibilities of the press carrying out the publication and broadcasting of foreign information content:

a) To provide positive information about the country and people of Vietnam across various fields;

b) To encourage the establishment of special sections, columns, and special topics to enhance the effectiveness of foreign information dissemination and protect maritime, island, border, and national territorial sovereignty;

c) To assign reporters and editors to follow foreign information;

d) To organize summaries, propose commendations, and report the results of implementing foreign information content on the press when requested.

Article 10. Responsibilities of the Management Authority of the Press

1. Direct and promote press agencies to publish foreign-related information content on the press in accordance with this Circular.

2. Provide financial support (if any) for press agencies to implement the publication of foreign-related information content.

Article 11. Responsibilities of Provincial Departments of Information and Communications

1. Direct and inspect the publication of foreign-related information content on local press.

2. Summarize and report the results of implementing the provisions of this Circular to the Ministry of Information and Communications when required.

Article 12. Responsibilities of Units under the Ministry of Information and Communications

1. The Department of Foreign Information shall be responsible for:

a) Monitoring the implementation of the provisions of this Circular; taking the lead and coordinating with units under the Ministry of Information and Communications to inspect the implementation of the provisions of this Circular; compiling the results and reporting to the Minister of Information and Communications;

b) Evaluating the effectiveness of the publication of foreign-related information content by press agencies;

c) Providing information, organizing training, and enhancing professional skills related to foreign information;

d) Coordinating with relevant agencies to develop mechanisms and policies to support the development of foreign press.

2. The Press Department shall be responsible for coordinating to monitor the implementation of the provisions of this Circular for print and online press agencies.

3. The Radio, Television, and Electronic Information Department shall be responsible for coordinating to monitor the implementation of the provisions of this Circular for radio and television stations.

Chapter IV

IMPLEMENTING PROVISIONS

Article 13. Responsibility for Implementation

The Head of the Office, the Director of the Department of Foreign Information, the Heads of relevant agencies and units under the Ministry of Information and Communications; the Directors of Provincial Departments of Information and Communications, the Leaders of press agencies and relevant organizations and individuals are responsible for enforcing this Circular.

Article 14. Effective Date

1. This Circular takes effect from June 21, 2019.

2. During the implementation process, if there are difficulties requiring amendments or supplements, relevant agencies, organizations, and individuals should promptly reflect these issues to the Ministry of Information and Communications for consideration and adjustment./.

Issued together with Circular No.        /2019/TT-BTTTT dated      month      year 2019

 

(NAME OF PRESS AGENCY

issued by the Ministry of Information and Communications)

 

 

 

Situation of Publishing Foreign-Related Information Content on the Press in Year……

I. SITUATION OF IMPLEMENTING FOREIGN INFORMATION CONTENT ON THE PRESS

 

 

1. Achievements

- Official information about Vietnam;

- Promotional information about Vietnam;

- Information about the world situation in Vietnam;

- Explanatory information;

Specify in detail: number of news items, programs/year; number of special pages, columns).

(2. Difficulties and limitations

3. Causes

II. SITUATION OF IMPLEMENTING THE PUBLICATION OF FOREIGN INFORMATION CONTENT ON THE PRESS

Achievements

1. 1. Propose solutions to enhance the effectiveness of foreign information dissemination through the press; measures to minimize errors in the press, ensuring that it does not harm the national image; and does not affect international relations and cooperation between Vietnam and other countries.

3. Causes

II. SITUATION OF IMPLEMENTING THE PUBLICATION OF FOREIGN INFORMATION CONTENT ON THE PRESS

III. RECOMMENDATIONS, PETITIONS

2. Propose the construction, amendment, and supplementation of legal frameworks, mechanisms, and policies for the State to facilitate and promote the effective publication of foreign information content by Vietnamese press.

- To be filed: VT, …