Circular No. 16/2016/TT-BVHTTDL guides the implementation of Decision No. 650/QĐ-TTg.

CIRCULAR

GUIDELINES FOR IMPLEMENTING DECISION NO. 650/QĐ-TTg OF APRIL 25, 2016, APPROVING THE PROJECT TO CONTINUE SUPPORTING CREATIVE ACTIVITIES OF LITERARY AND ARTISTIC WORKS AND JOURNALISM AT THE CENTRAL LEVEL AND LOCAL LITERARY AND ARTIST ASSOCIATIONS; SUPPORTING HIGH-QUALITY JOURNALISTIC WORKS AT LOCAL PRESS ASSOCIATIONS IN THE PERIOD 2016-2020

Pursuant to Decree No. 45/2010/NĐ-CP dated April 21, 2010, and Decree No. 33/2012/NĐ-CP dated April 13, 2012, amending and supplementing certain articles of Decree No. 45/2010/NĐ-CP dated April 21, 2010 of the Government on the organization, operation, and management of associations;

Pursuant to Decree No. 76/2013/NĐ-CP dated July 16, 2013, promulgated by the Government stipulating the functions, tasks, powers, and organizational structure of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism;

Pursuant to Decision No. 650/QĐ-TTg dated April 25, 2016, of the Prime Minister approving the project to continue supporting creative activities of literary and artistic works and journalism at the central level and local literary and artist associations; supporting high-quality journalistic works at local press associations in the period 2016-2020 (hereinafter referred to as Decision No. 650/QĐ-TTg);

At the proposal of the Director of the Department of Planning and Finance;

The Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism promulgates this Circular guiding the implementation of Decision No. 650/QĐ-TTg.

PART I

GENERAL PROVISIONS

Article 1. Scope of Regulation

This Circular guides the contents of implementing Decision No. 650/QĐ-TTg regarding supported activities, methods of support, and responsibilities of relevant agencies and organizations.

Article 2. Applicability

1. Field of literature and art:

a) Central-level Literary and Artistic Associations (including: National Union of Literature and Arts Associations of Vietnam, Vietnam Writers' Association, Vietnam Fine Arts Association, Vietnam Stage Artists Association, Vietnam Musicians' Association, Vietnam Photographers' Association, Vietnam Film Association, Vietnam Architects' Association, Vietnam Dance Artists' Association, Vietnam Folk Literature and Art Association, Vietnam Ethnic Minorities Literature and Art Association) and local Literary and Artistic Associations.

b) Authors or groups of authors who are members of central or local Literary and Artistic Associations engaging in creative activities of literary and artistic works (hereinafter referred to as "creative literary and artistic activities") that align with topics approved by the Prime Minister in Decision No. 650/QĐ-TTg to fulfill national and local political tasks, and are reviewed and approved by the Creative Literary and Artistic Works Support Council (hereinafter referred to as the "Council").

c) Authors or groups of authors who have made contributions to literature and art, possess substantial life experiences, and authors or groups of authors with the ability to create, research, and collect valuable literary and artistic works and projects in terms of ideology and artistry, reviewed and approved by the Council.

d) Authors or groups of authors with high-quality literary and artistic works that fit the topics approved by the Prime Minister in Decision No. 650/QĐ-TTg and have not yet been funded, and are reviewed and approved by the Council.

2. Field of journalism:

a) Vietnam Journalists' Association including: Central Association Office; Local Branches and Units under the Central Association and Local Journalists' Associations.

b) Authors or groups of authors with high-quality journalistic works reflecting significant events in the social life of localities, regions, and the country in a timely manner; authors or groups of authors who are members of the Vietnam Journalists' Association from central and local press agencies with high-quality journalistic works that have registered, had their outlines approved, and been published on mass media platforms, in accordance with the objectives of supporting topics and topic areas stipulated in Article 3 of this Circular.

Article 3. Objectives of supporting research topics and fields

1. Continue to invest and support authors, author groups, creative activities in literature, fine arts, music, theater, film, architecture, photography, dance, folk art, ethnic minority art, journalism at the central level and local Literature and Art Associations to produce more high-quality works with significant ideological and artistic value, diverse in form and artistic language, contributing to building souls, morals, aesthetic orientation, and shaping personalities and lifestyles, thereby contributing to the comprehensive development of Vietnamese people, for topics reflecting:

a) National history, revolutionary struggle of the nation across various anti-war periods, traditional cultural heritage.

b) Agriculture, farmers, and rural areas; the cause of economic, cultural, and social development in rural areas in the new period.

c) The renewal process of building and defending the country; positive factors and outstanding individuals in society and the era.

d) Youth, teenagers, and children; ethnic minorities; families and prevention of domestic violence.

đ) Literary and artistic criticism; combating peaceful evolution, refuting false propaganda against the construction and defense of the homeland; protecting maritime sovereignty.

2. Support the creation of high-quality local press works, prioritizing major topics:

a) Party building; learning and practicing President Ho Chi Minh's moral example; consolidating the great national unity bloc; disseminating and promoting the resolutions of the 12th Party Congress and the policies of the Party and State; promptly and deeply reflecting special political events, anniversaries, and major festivals of the nation at the local level.

b) Industrialization and modernization of agriculture and rural areas; poverty reduction and sustainable development; grassroots cultural life...

c) Life of the people in mountainous regions, remote areas, ethnic minority areas, and particularly difficult areas; youth, teenagers, and children in the locality participating in building and defending the country...; protecting border, maritime, and island sovereignty.

d) Examples of advanced models, "good people and good deeds" in production, anti-corruption struggles, maintaining local security and politics...

3. Support and invest in deep creativity for authors and author groups who have made significant contributions to literature, art, and journalism, but have not been adequately invested, to produce more quality works; support training and nurturing skills, nurturing young talents to build and develop a comprehensive literary and artistic cadre and journalist force in terms of both quantity and quality, emphasizing civic responsibility and social positivity, strongly accompanying the nation for the benefit of the nation, continuously innovating thinking, improving professional expertise...

Chapter II

SPECIFIC PROVISIONS

Section 1. LITERATURE AND ART FIELD

Article 4. Activities supported

1. Creative activities of literary and artistic works (literary and artistic works are understood as: creative, research, collection, theoretical criticism, and promotion of literary and artistic works) include:

a) Organizing seminars and conferences to enhance political and professional levels, training and nurturing literary and artistic talent;

b) Purchasing materials and information updates to serve the creation of literary and artistic works, purchasing supplies, renting machinery and equipment directly for training classes, seminars, and conferences;

c) Organizing creative camps and immersing in reality to create literary and artistic works, or exchanging, roundtable discussions, receiving information, enhancing professional skills;

d) Activities of authors and author groups creating literary and artistic works; activities of authors and author groups publishing literary and artistic works;

đ) Work on reviewing project outlines, evaluating, and accepting literary and artistic works;

e) Supporting translation activities and hiring foreign translations of valuable materials and new concepts worldwide serving the study and preservation of intangible cultural values of humanity;

g) Publishing and promoting literary and artistic works of Central and local Literature and Art Associations;

h) Organizing, guiding, evaluating, inspecting, summarizing, and concluding the policy of supporting the creation of literary and artistic works of the National Committee of the Vietnam Federation of Literature and Art Associations;

i) Training classes, seminars, and conferences to enhance political and professional levels, training and nurturing literary and artistic talent;

k) Related work to the organization and implementation of supporting literary and artistic creation.

2. High-quality literary and artistic creation activities supported include:

a) Creation activities of subjects defined in point c and d Clause 1 Article 2 of this Circular.

b) Activities supported as defined in points d, đ, and e Clause 1 of this Article.

Article 5. Methods of support

1. Support for the creation of literary and artistic works at the central level through specialized Central Literature and Art Associations and the National Committee of the Vietnam Federation of Literature and Art Associations.

2. Support for the creation of literary and artistic works at the local level through local Literature and Art Associations and the National Committee of the Vietnam Federation of Literature and Art Associations.

3. Support for authors and author groups

a) Direct support for authors and author groups who are members of Central and local Literature and Art Associations to create literary and artistic works (including high-quality creation activities) within the topics specified in Article 3 of this Circular and approved project outlines;

b) Direct support for authors and author groups whose literary and artistic works (within the topics specified in Article 3 of this Circular) have high quality but have not yet been invested in.

c) For literary and artistic associations at the central level and localities falling within the categories specified in Clause 1, Article 2, activities providing support as stipulated in Article 4 of this Circular shall be carried out directly by such literary and artistic associations at the central level and localities or through contracts between the central-level or local literary and artistic associations and service providers in accordance with the provisions of the law.

Section 2. THE FIELD OF JOURNALISM

Article 6. Activities to be supported

1. Activities of authors or groups of authors with high-quality journalism works reflecting major and important events in the life and society of localities, regions, and the country in a timely manner; authors or groups of authors who are members of the Vietnam Journalists' Association working for central and local press agencies, with high-quality journalism works that have been registered, approved in outline, and published on mass media platforms, in line with the support objectives for topics and subject areas prescribed in Clause 1, Article 3 of this Circular for central-level journalism activities and in accordance with Clause 2, Article 3 of this Circular for local-level journalism activities.

2. Conducting fieldwork to create journalism works, attending training courses, seminars, and conferences to enhance political and professional skills in journalism, with particular emphasis on equipping specialized knowledge, modern reporting skills, and nurturing young talents in creating high-quality journalism works.

3. Reviewing, selecting outlines, assessing, accepting, and evaluating works; selecting and recommending awards for outstanding journalism works.

4. Researching and collecting materials.

5. Publishing and promoting works.

6. Tasks related to organizing and implementing support for high-quality journalism works.

7. Supporting journalism works that win regional high-quality journalism awards, consistent with the support objectives prescribed in Article 3 of this Circular.

Article 7. Criteria for Evaluating High-Quality Journalism Works

1. Content must align with the guiding viewpoints, propaganda, policies, and laws of the Party and State, capable of uncovering new issues emerging in daily life, bringing tangible benefits to society or a region, locality, and consistent with the support objectives for topics and subject areas prescribed in Article 3 of this Circular.

2. Must be creatively expressed, lively, and engaging to readers, listeners, and viewers.

Article 8. Methods of Support

1. Supporting the creation of high-quality journalism works at the central level through the Vietnam Journalists' Association.

2. Supporting the creation of high-quality journalism works at the local level through local journalists' associations.

3. Implementation methods for support.

Based on the activities to be supported as stipulated in Article 6 of this Circular, the Vietnam Journalists' Association and local journalists' associations shall carry out:

a) For activities supporting research, collection of materials, dissemination, publication of works, and other activities directly related to the creative work of authors, the Vietnam Journalists' Association at various levels (or affiliated branch associations and branches under the Central Association with legal personality, authorized to sign contracts) shall enter into direct contracts with authors or groups of authors eligible for support.

b) For other support contents: The Vietnam Journalists' Association at various levels shall directly implement support for these activities or through contracts between the Vietnam Journalists' Association at various levels (or affiliated branch associations and branches under the Central Association with legal personality, authorized to sign contracts) and service providers in accordance with the law.

Chapter III

IMPLEMENTATION

Article 9. Sources of funding for support and support systems and standards

1. Central budget support sources pursuant to Decision 650/QĐ-TTg.

2. Other lawful support sources from agencies, organizations, and individuals both within and outside the country.

3. Support systems and standards for activities specified in Articles 4 and 6 of this Circular shall be implemented in accordance with the regulations and guidance of the Ministry of Finance.

Article 10. Responsibilities of agencies and units

1. The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism assigns the Department of Planning and Finance to take the lead in advising and proposing to assist the leadership of the Ministry in performing tasks:

a) To take the lead and coordinate with relevant Departments and Bureaus under the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism to perform state management functions in organizing the implementation of Decision No. 650/QĐ-TTg;

b) To coordinate with the National Committee of the Vietnam Federation of Literature and Art Circles, the Vietnam Journalists' Association, related Ministries, Committees, and People's Committees of provinces and centrally-administered cities to guide the organization and implementation process and promptly provide timely adjustments to contents that do not align with the goals and orientations of the Party and State;

c) To coordinate with the National Committee of the Vietnam Federation of Literature and Art Circles and the Vietnam Journalists' Association to compile and report on the situation of support at central and local levels; to propose appropriate forms of commendation to the Prime Minister for outstanding high-quality literary and artistic works and journalistic works.

2. The National Committee of the Vietnam Federation of Literature and Art Circles

a) To take the lead in compiling and reporting annually on the results of implementing Decision No. 650/QĐ-TTg at central and local levels; to coordinate with state management agencies in organizing the implementation of support regulations at central and local levels in accordance with current regulations;

b) To organize seminars, conferences, and training sessions to enhance professional skills in various specialties, creative camps, and practical experiences for members of literature and art associations at local levels;

c) Annually to take the lead and coordinate with the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the Ministry of Finance, and related Ministries and agencies to inspect the implementation of support for creative literary and artistic works and the use of support funds in the field of literature and art at central and local levels;

d) Annually to summarize, evaluate, and promptly identify difficulties and obstacles to report to the Prime Minister and related Ministries and agencies.

3. The Vietnam Journalists' Association

a) To take the lead in compiling and reporting annually on the results of implementing Decision No. 650/QĐ-TTg at all levels of the Journalists' Association at central and local levels; to review and select outstanding works for consideration of support, publication, and recommendation for appropriate commendation by competent authorities; to coordinate with state management agencies in organizing the implementation of support regulations and current regulations in the field of journalism;

b) To organize training sessions, seminars, and conferences to enhance political, professional, and specialized knowledge and theoretical understanding for members according to regions, areas, and directions set by the Party and State;

c) Annually to take the lead and coordinate with the National Committee of the Vietnam Federation of Literature and Art Circles, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the Ministry of Finance, and related Ministries and agencies to inspect the implementation of support for high-quality journalistic work creation at central and local levels;

d) Annually to summarize, evaluate, and promptly identify difficulties and obstacles to send to the National Committee of the Vietnam Federation of Literature and Art Circles for compilation and reporting to the Prime Minister and related Ministries and agencies.

4. People's Committees of provinces and centrally-administered cities

a) To direct the organization and implementation of plans for supporting creative literary and artistic works and high-quality journalistic works at the local level in accordance with current regulations; to create favorable conditions for local Literature and Art Associations and Journalists' Associations to complete assigned tasks;

b) To direct relevant Departments and Agencies under their jurisdiction to ensure adequate allocation of annual support funds from the central government for local Literature and Art Associations and Journalists' Associations as stipulated in Decision No. 650/QĐ-TTg to improve the quality of literary and artistic and journalistic creative activities at the local level.

5. Provincial Departments of Culture, Sports and Tourism or Provincial Departments of Culture and Sports

a) To perform advisory state management functions at the local level in implementing Decision No. 650/QĐ-TTg for local Literature and Art Associations and Journalists' Associations;

b) To coordinate with local Literature and Art Associations and Journalists' Associations to organize effective creative activities for literary and artistic works and high-quality journalistic works;

c) To promptly report new developments and propose appropriate adjustment solutions to the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and People's Committees of provinces and centrally-administered cities in line with Party policies, State laws, and local regulations.

6. Literature and Art Associations at central and local levels

a) To conduct annual summaries, evaluations, and reports on the situation and results of supporting creative activities for literary and artistic works to the National Committee of the Vietnam Federation of Literature and Art Circles and People's Committees of provinces and centrally-administered cities (for Literature and Art Associations) for monitoring and guidance;

b) To coordinate with relevant state management agencies at the local level to organize effective creative activities for literary and artistic works.

7. Local Journalists' Associations and Branches and Sub-Branches of the Vietnam Journalists' Association

a) To conduct annual summaries, evaluations, and reports on the situation and results of supporting high-quality journalistic works to the Vietnam Journalists' Association and People's Committees of provinces and centrally-administered cities (for Local Journalists' Associations) for monitoring and guidance;

b) To coordinate with central and local organizations and agencies (for Local Journalists' Associations) in publishing and announcing high-quality journalistic works; to coordinate with relevant state management agencies at the local level (for Local Journalists' Associations) to organize effective creative activities for high-quality journalistic works.

Article 11. Effective Date

1. This Circular takes effect from February 10, 2017.

2. During implementation, if there are difficulties or obstacles, they should be promptly reported to the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism for consideration and resolution./.