Decision No. 10/2004/QĐ-BVHTT on Issuing the Rules for Professional Activities of Journalists at Congresses, Conferences, and Ceremonies

Pursuant to …;

Regarding the issuance of regulations on professional activities

of reporters at congresses, conferences, and ceremonies

THE MINISTER OF CULTURE AND INFORMATION

Pursuant to Decree No. 63/2003/NĐ-CP dated June 11, 2003 of the Government on the functions, tasks, powers, and organizational structure of the Ministry of Culture and Information;

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

Pursuant to Decree No. 51/2002/NĐ-CP dated April 26, 2002 of the Government detailing the implementation of the Law on Press, the Law Amending and Supplementing Certain Provisions of the Law on Press;

Upon the proposal of the Director of the Press Department under the Ministry of Culture and Information,

Pursuant to …;

Article 1: This Decision promulgates the Regulations on professional activities of reporters at congresses, conferences, and ceremonies.

Article 2: News agencies, reporters, relevant agencies, organizations, and individuals shall be responsible for implementing these Regulations.

Article 3: This Decision takes effect fifteen days from the date of publication in the Official Gazette. Previous provisions contrary to this Decision are hereby abolished.

REGULATIONS

Professional activities of reporters at congresses,

conferences, and ceremonies

(Annexed to Decision No. 10/2004/QĐ-BVHTT dated February 27, 2004 of the Minister of Culture and Information)

Article 1.

These Regulations govern the professional activities of reporters at sessions of the National Assembly, People's Councils at all levels, public congresses and conferences, rallies, and receptions of Party and State agencies and other agencies and organizations permitted to operate under Vietnamese law (hereinafter referred to as ceremonial activities).

For particularly important ceremonial activities such as the National Party Congress, welcoming state leaders, meetings and work sessions with senior Party and State leaders..., the organizing agency shall coordinate with relevant agencies (foreign affairs, security...) and the State management agency for press to issue specific regulations appropriate to the nature and requirements of these ceremonial activities.

Article 2.

Reporters engaged in professional activities at ceremonial events must meet political and journalistic standards suitable for the nature and requirements of the ceremonial event and hold a journalist card issued by the Ministry of Culture and Information.

Article 3.

1. News agencies shall be responsible for assigning reporters who meet the conditions stipulated in Article 2 of these Regulations to participate in professional activities at ceremonial events according to invitations and specific regulations of the organizing agency.

2. News agencies shall cooperate and implement the regulations of the organizing agency and the State management agency for press to manage the professional activities of their reporters at ceremonial events.

Article 4. Reporters engaged in professional activities at ceremonial events have the following rights and obligations:

1. To provide truthful and timely information about the content of ceremonial events in their news media in accordance with the Law on Press and the Law Amending and Supplementing Certain Provisions of the Law on Press.

2. To be provided with the program of ceremonial activities, related information, and materials; to store and use such information and materials in accordance with the law.

3. To interact, exchange, and interview participants in ceremonial activities in accordance with the law and the regulations of the organizing agency. Interviews with participants in ceremonial activities shall be conducted in accordance with the Interview Regulations on Press issued pursuant to Decision No. 26/2002/QĐ-BVHTT dated September 26, 2002 of the Minister of Culture and Information.

4. To be guided and assigned a convenient working position suitable for the type of journalism. Reporters shall perform their professional activities strictly in the positions arranged by the organizing agency; their professional actions must meet the solemn requirements of ceremonial activities, not obstruct ceremonial activities, and ensure security for Party and State leaders and guests.

5. The attire of reporters shall be courteous and appropriate to the nature of ceremonial activities and national customs and traditions.

6. To comply with regulations on ensuring security and order during ceremonial activities and common working rules of the organizing agency.

Article 5. Responsibilities and authorities of the agency in charge of organizing reception activities:

1. Deciding to invite press agencies and journalists to observe and report on the reception activities organized by itself.

2. Issuing regulations in accordance with the law, security, and public order requirements, and journalistic needs; responsible for guiding and informing journalists about working regulations at the reception activities organized by itself.

3. The agency in charge of organizing reception activities shall be responsible for providing the program of the reception activities; information and materials permitted to be publicly disclosed; arranging convenient and suitable positions for journalistic activities; appropriate to the nature and requirements of the reception activities.

Article 6. For particularly important reception activities, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the Central Propaganda and Culture Board shall coordinate with the agency in charge of organizing the reception activities and related agencies (foreign affairs, security...) to decide the number, list, and guide the operational activities of press agencies and journalists invited to participate in such reception activities.

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism shall be responsible for notifying and guiding the procedures for registering journalistic operations at particularly important reception activities.

Article 7. The agency in charge of organizing reception activities, related agencies (foreign affairs, security...), central and local state management agencies for the press, and press agencies shall be responsible for coordinating and exchanging measures and forms of organization to ensure that the press fulfills its task of reporting on reception activities.

Article 8Press agencies, journalists, agencies, organizations, and individuals participating in reception activities shall be responsible for implementing the provisions of this Regulation. Organizations and individuals violating this Regulation and other legal provisions shall be handled according to the severity and nature of the violation as stipulated by law.