Decision No. 20/2004/QĐ-BKHCN Issuing the Statutes on Organization and Operation of Science and Technology Development Newspaper

DECISION

Issuing the Statutes on Organization and Operationof the Science and Development Newspaper

___________________________

 

MINISTERMINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

Pursuant to Decree No. 54/2003/NĐ-CP dated May 19, 2003 of the Government stipulating the functions, tasks, powers, and organizational structure of the Ministry of Science and Technology, and Decree No. 28/2004/NĐ-CP dated January 16, 2004 of the Government amending and supplementing certain articles of Decree No. 54/2003/NĐ-CP dated May 19, 2003;

Considering the proposals of the Editor-in-Chief of the Science and Development Newspaper and the Director of the Personnel Department; 

DECISION:

Article 1. The attached Decision promulgates the Statutes on Organization and Operation of the Science and Development Newspaper.

Article 2. This Decision shall take effect fifteen days from the date of publication in the Official Gazette.

Article 3. The Heads of the Office, the Director of the Personnel Department, the Editor-in-Chief of the Science and Development Newspaper, and the Heads of related units shall be responsible for implementing this Decision.

 

CHARTER

ORGANIZATION AND OPERATION OF THE SCIENCE AND DEVELOPMENT NEWSPAPER

(Attached to Decision No. 20/2004/QĐ-BKHCN

dated July 22, 2004 of the Minister of Science and Technology)

 

PART I

GENERAL PROVISIONS

Article 1. The Science and Development Newspaper is a subordinate press organ of the Ministry of Science and Technology.

The international trade name of the Newspaper is: SCIENCE AND DEVELOPMENT NEWSPAPER.

The main office of the Science and Development Newspaper is located in Hanoi City, with representative offices in Ho Chi Minh City and permanent agencies in some provinces and centrally-administered cities.

Article 2. The Science and Development Newspaper is a self-financing public service unit with legal personality, having seals for its operations and transactions as prescribed by law. It is allowed to open accounts at banks and state treasuries (including foreign currency accounts).

Article 3. The Science and Development Newspaper operates under the Press Law of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, subject to comprehensive and direct leadership and management by the Ministry of Science and Technology; state management over the press by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and other relevant ministries; and enjoys state policies and systems applicable to the national press system.

PART II

TASKS AND POWERS

Article 4. The main tasks of the Science and Development Newspaper include:

1. Organizing extensive and timely propaganda and dissemination of the viewpoints, guidelines, policies, and laws on science and technology (abbreviated as ST) of the Party and State, guiding orientations and activities of the Ministry of Science and Technology. Introducing and guiding the implementation of regulations on ST management mechanisms, achievements in ST.

2. Providing truthful information about all ST activities and related issues in the country and the world.

3. Reflecting and guiding public opinion in the field of ST, serving as a forum for discussion for those working in the ST field and the general public; reflecting the opinions of scientists and managers regarding the development orientation of ST in Vietnam to serve industrialization and modernization, absorbing and applying global ST achievements.

4. Identifying and promoting exemplary individuals and new factors in social life, especially in the ST field; combating violations of law and negative phenomena in the ST field and in social life.

5. Contributing to establishing relationships between scientists and technologists and businesses, building a ST market, introducing Vietnamese and foreign technologies. Expanding mutual understanding about the ST field between Vietnam and other countries, contributing to protecting national traditions and Vietnamese cultural identity.

6. Organizing activities and providing information in various forms such as publishing publications, scientific conferences, exhibitions, advertising to introduce ST achievements and new products.

7. Organizing research activities in ST to serve information and propaganda work.

8. Implementing service and trade activities related to journalism according to the provisions of law to support information and propaganda work and generate revenue for reinvestment in development. Conducting some advisory, service, and trade activities in the ST field according to the provisions of law.

9. Organizing training and professional development for staff, reporters, and editors according to the requirements of the Newspaper and the needs of related units.

10. Cooperating with related units to implement international cooperation activities, linkages, and exchange of scientific and technological information and environmental information with domestic and foreign organizations according to the provisions of law.

11. Managing the organization, staffing, and assets assigned according to the provisions of the State and the decentralization of the Ministry of Science and Technology.

Article 5. The target audience of the Science and Development Newspaper includes:

Management agencies in the field of ST from central to local levels;

Research and development organizations nationwide; Academies, universities, colleges, vocational schools, and secondary schools;

ST professionals, managers, intellectuals, and students and high school students from universities and vocational schools;

Domestic and foreign enterprises of all economic sectors;

All Vietnamese citizens and foreigners interested in learning about ST.

Article 6. Publications of the Science and Development Newspaper include weekly newspapers, monthly special issues, and special publications issued when necessary to serve important topics and with permission from the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism. The publications of the Newspaper are distributed throughout the country.

CHAPTER III

ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE

Article 7. The organizational structure of the Science and Development Newspaper consists of:

1. Leadership:

Editor-in-Chief;

Deputy Editors-in-Chief.

2. Professional Departments:

Editorial and Proofreading Department;

Reporting Department;

Circulation and Advertising Department;

Newspaper Office;

Electronic Printing Technology Center;

Science and Development Electronic Newspaper;

Science Service and Technology Transfer Center;

Representative Office in Ho Chi Minh City and permanent agencies in some provinces and centrally-administered cities.

In addition, based on the development requirements of service activities aimed at increasing revenue for the Newspaper, the Science and Development Newspaper is permitted to establish service and business organizations according to the provisions of law.

Article 8. The Science and Development Newspaper organizes and operates under the Chief Director system, with the Chief Editor appointed, relieved, and held responsible before the Minister of Science and Technology for all activities of the Newspaper.

The Chief Editor of the Science and Development Newspaper appoints and relieves the Heads of specialized departments according to the分级制度规定。

The Chief Editor has the main tasks as follows:

1. Organizing and managing the activities of the Science and Development Newspaper in accordance with the law and current state regulations.

2. Developing and implementing five-year and annual programs and plans; conducting mid-term reviews, final summaries, regular reports, and special reports to the Minister of Science and Technology on the assessment of the Newspaper's operations.

3. Approving and being responsible before the Minister of Science and Technology and the law for all content published in the Science and Development Newspaper and other publications of the Newspaper.

4. Defining the duties and authorities of subordinate units based on the Charter of Organization and Operation of the Science and Development Newspaper.

5. Implementing state policies and systems for cadres, reporters, editors, and staff members in accordance with the tasks and conditions of the Science and Development Newspaper to maximize their professional expertise.

6. Deciding on the appointment, relief, recruitment, transfer, salary increase, retirement benefits, rewards, disciplinary actions, and sending for training and assignments both domestically and internationally for cadres of the Science and Development Newspaper according to the cadre management levels set by the Ministry of Science and Technology.

7. Managing and using technical infrastructure, capital, and assets of the Science and Development Newspaper effectively in accordance with state regulations.

8. Within the scope of authority granted, issuing management regulations and rules consistent with current state regulations to standardize the Newspaper's operations.

9. Convening and chairing meetings of the Science and Development Newspaper, deciding to establish advisory councils of the Science and Development Newspaper.

10. When absent, the Chief Editor authorizes an Assistant Chief Editor to manage and handle affairs, but the Chief Editor remains accountable to the Ministry and the law for such delegation.

Article 9. The Assistant Chief Editors assist the Chief Editor of the Science and Development Newspaper, responsible for specific areas of work assigned by the Chief Editor and accountable to the Chief Editor for the tasks delegated.

The appointment and relief of Assistant Chief Editors are proposed by the Chief Editor and decided upon by the Minister of Science and Technology.

Article 10. Specialized departments, representative offices, and permanent bureaus have the following main tasks:

1. Managing one or more aspects of work according to the functions and tasks assigned.

2. Proposing and developing projects, plans, and work policies for the Chief Editor of the Science and Development Newspaper to consider and decide.

3. Implementing decisions of the Chief Editor and handling regular work within the scope of assigned functions and tasks.

Article 11. Advisory Councils

1. The establishment of advisory councils (advisory councils: scientific, salary, recruitment and selection of cadres and civil servants, commendation and discipline) is decided by the Chief Editor and implemented according to current state regulations.

2. The Editorial Board of the Science and Development Newspaper serves as an advisory body assisting the Chief Editor in making important decisions regarding the content of the newspaper and publishing materials when necessary; the board consists of: Chairman, Vice-Chairman, Secretary, and some management officers, economic experts, science and technology researchers, and journalists who are specialists in journalism, economics, science, technology, education, and international cooperation.

3. The Editorial Board has the following tasks:

a. Discussing strategies for development, policies, training, and international cooperation in the fields of journalism, communication, and other activities of the Newspaper.

b. Discussing and approving long-term, five-year, and annual plans of the Newspaper.

Article 12. Duties and Authorities of Cadres, Reporters, Editors, and Staff Members.

1. Being assigned clear tasks and having the responsibility to complete them well.

2. Reporters and editors of the Newspaper may attend meetings of the Ministry and visit agencies, enterprises, and institutions to carry out their professional work as stipulated by the law.

3. Strictly adhering to regulations and decisions of the Chief Editor and current laws.

4. Using working equipment as prescribed and having the obligation to maintain and preserve the common property of the Science and Development Newspaper.

5. Participating in discussions and contributing suggestions for building work programs, plans, mid-term reviews, and summaries of their units and the Science and Development Newspaper. Proposing measures to improve organizational management, working conditions, material and spiritual life, environmental hygiene, and training of cadres and staff to meet the requirements of the Science and Development Newspaper.

6. Participating in discussions and building internal regulations concerning organizational management, rights, and obligations of cadres, reporters, editors, and staff members in the Science and Development Newspaper.

Article 13. The Chief Editor is responsible for establishing internal regulations, working procedures, and relationships between departments of the Newspaper in the most effective manner.

Article 14. The Science and Development Newspaper can establish representative offices in certain provinces and cities according to the operational needs of the Newspaper, subject to approval by the Minister of Science and Technology, the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism, and relevant agencies. The head of the representative office is the Representative Office Head.

Article 15. The representative office of the Science and Development Newspaper acts on behalf of the Newspaper to carry out journalistic tasks in the designated area according to the Press Law.

Article 16. The representative office has the following functions and tasks:

Organizing and maintaining relationships with contributors to the editorial department, connecting information between the Science and Development Newspaper and local science and technology management agencies and other agencies.

Establish a network of contributors in the local area, collect articles and news, exchange with contributors regarding articles according to the orientation of the Chief Editor;

Organize a distribution network in the local area as directed by the Chief Editor;

Perform other tasks assigned by the Chief Editor.

Article 17. The representative office shall have one officer at the department level serving as the head of the representative office. The head of the representative office shall be appointed and relieved of duty by the Chief Editor of the Science and Development Newspaper in accordance with the分级管理规定 of the Ministry.

The head of the representative office is responsible for managing staff and reporters under the authorization of the Chief Editor. The head of the representative office is accountable to the Chief Editor and the law for the activities of the representative office. The Chief Editor is accountable to the Minister of Science and Technology and the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism for all activities of the representative office.

Article 18. The human resources of the Science and Development Newspaper include:

1. Staff within the quota allocated by the Ministry of Science and Technology.

2. Staff working under labor contracts, including:

Based on job requirements and financial capacity of the Newspaper, the Chief Editor of the Science and Development Newspaper signs labor contracts with workers in accordance with the Labor Code (without the need for agreement from the Cadre and Civil Servant Organization Department).

For indefinite-term contracts, a report must be made to the Cadre and Civil Servant Organization Department for monitoring.

3. Staff working as contributors.

Article 19. The Science and Development Newspaper implements labor management systems, pays salaries, wages, and other income, and implements insurance systems for staff under labor contracts signed by the Science and Development Newspaper in accordance with current regulations of the Ministry of Science and Technology and the State.

PART IV

WORK RELATIONSHIPS

Article 20. The Chief Editor of the Science and Development Newspaper directs all activities of the Newspaper based on the Charter of Organization and Operation of the Science and Development Newspaper; implements work systems and relationships with heads of units under the Ministry of Science and Technology according to the Work Regulations of the Ministry and other provisions stipulated by the Minister of Science and Technology.

The Science and Development Newspaper is responsible for closely coordinating with agencies within the Ministry, management departments of science and technology in other ministries and sectors, and provincial science and technology departments to fulfill its role as the voice of the Ministry of Science and Technology.

To ensure that the Newspaper accurately and promptly reflects scientific and technological activities, units within the Ministry are responsible for providing conditions for the Newspaper's editorial board to access relevant materials and information related to the functions and responsibilities of the Newspaper.

The Science and Development Newspaper is entitled to timely notifications from the Ministry leadership, leadership of subordinate units, and provincial science and technology departments about development policies, results of scientific and technological activities of the state, locality, and sectors under their jurisdiction.

The Science and Development Newspaper may participate in activities of the Ministry of Science and Technology related to it, attend domestic and international scientific conferences, and receive accurate, timely, and comprehensive information about major scientific and technological activities.

CHAPTER V

FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT

Article 21. Financial resources ensuring the operation of the Science and Development Newspaper include:

1. Operating funds provided by the state budget.

2. Income from newspaper publishing activities, production and business operations, advertising services, printing and publishing services, specialized science and technology services, and other services as prescribed by law.

3. Funding from sponsors, organizations, enterprises, and individuals both domestically and internationally, and other sources as prescribed by law.

4. Income from economic contracts with agencies and units inside and outside the Ministry.

5. Loans and capital mobilization from staff members according to current regulations.

6. Self-supplemented funds for the operation of the Science and Development Newspaper after fulfilling obligations to the state.

Article 22. The Science and Development Newspaper has financial autonomy, actively creates capital, and establishes and uses various types of funds for their intended purposes effectively in accordance with current national regulations.

Article 23. Based on the state salary system, the salary fund from the budget, and income from service activities, production and business operations, the Science and Development Newspaper establishes a salary distribution regulation in accordance with current state regulations.

Chapter VI

IMPLEMENTING PROVISIONS

Article 24. The Chief Editor of the Science and Development Newspaper collaborates with the Director of the Cadre and Civil Servant Organization Department to implement this Charter.

Article 25. Any amendments, supplements, or adjustments to this Charter shall be proposed by the Chief Editor of the Science and Development Newspaper and the Director of the Cadre and Civil Servant Organization Department, and decided upon by the Minister of Science and Technology.