Joint Circular No. 20/2010/TTLT-BTTTT-BYT guiding the priority regarding broadcasting time and duration on radio stations and television channels; capacity and position for publication in print newspapers and online news websites concerning information, education, and communication on HIV/AIDS prevention and control.

JOINT CIRCULAR

Guidelines on prioritizing broadcast times and durations on radio stations, television stations; space and position for publication in print newspapers and online news regarding information, education, and communication on HIV/AIDS prevention and control

Pursuant to the Law on Prevention and Control of Viral Infections Causing Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS), November 29, 2006;

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

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The Ministry of Information and Communications and the Ministry of Health issue guidelines for implementing Clause 7, Article 12 of the Law on Prevention and Control of Viral Infections Causing Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) as follows:

Chapter I REGULATIONS ON PRIORITY TIMES AND DURATIONS FOR BROADCASTING ON RADIO AND TELEVISION STATIONS

Article 1. For Voice of Vietnam Radio, Vietnam Television, and VTC Digital Television

1. News format:

a) Broadcast duration: At least 30 seconds per broadcast;

b) Broadcast frequency: At least once per day during events related to HIV/AIDS prevention and control;

c) Broadcast time: Included in the main news program from 18:00 to 19:45 or from 23:00 to 23:30 on the day of the event related to HIV/AIDS prevention and control.

2. Feature report and documentary formats:

a) Broadcast duration: At least 5 minutes per broadcast;

b) New broadcast frequency: At least once per quarter initially;

c) Broadcast time: Within the period from 06:00 to 07:30 or from 12:00 to 13:30 or from 17:30 to 19:00 in the health, society, and HIV/AIDS special programs of the station.

3. Dialogue and discussion formats:

a) Broadcast duration: At least 30 minutes per broadcast;

b) Broadcast frequency: At least once every six months;

c) Broadcast time: Within the period from 06:00 to 22:00, with priority given from 20:00 to 22:00.

4. Publicity and promotional formats:

a) Broadcast duration: At least 15 seconds per broadcast;

b) Broadcast frequency: At least four times per month;

c) Initial broadcast time: Within the period from 06:00 to 07:30 or from 12:00 to 13:30 or from 17:30 to 19:00.

5. On-screen scrolling text format:

a) Minimum number of characters: 30 characters per scroll;

b) Scroll frequency: At least twice per week;

c) Scroll time: Within the period from 19:45 to 23:00.

6. In addition to complying with the regulations on broadcast times and durations specified in Points a and c of Clause 1, Point a and c of Clause 2, Point a and c of Clause 3, and Point a and c of Clause 4 of this Article, Voice of Vietnam Radio, Vietnam Television, and VTC Digital Television shall increase broadcast frequencies during the National Month of Action for HIV/AIDS Prevention and Control each year as follows:

a) Voice of Vietnam Radio: Implement at least ten broadcasts for publicity and promotional formats with a minimum broadcast duration of 30 seconds per broadcast.

b) Vietnam Television and VTC Digital Television: Implement at least six broadcasts for publicity and promotional formats, two broadcasts for feature reports and documentaries, and one broadcast for dialogue and discussion formats. The broadcast duration for each format shall be implemented according to Points a and c of Clause 2, Point a and c of Clause 3, and Point a and c of Clause 4 of this Article.

a) Vietnam Radio: Shall broadcast at least 10 times for propaganda promotion forms, with each broadcast lasting a minimum of 30 seconds.

b) Vietnam Television, VTC Digital Television: Shall broadcast at least 06 times for propaganda promotion forms, 02 times for reportage and documentary forms, and 01 time for exchange and discussion forms. The broadcasting duration for each form shall be carried out according to the provisions set forth in points a, point c Clause 2, point a, point c Clause 3 and point a, point c Clause 4 of this Article.

Article 2. Regarding provincial radio and television stations (hereinafter referred to as provincial radio and television stations).

b) Broadcast frequency: At least once per day during events related to HIV/AIDS prevention and control;

a) Airtime duration: At least 20 seconds per broadcast.

b) Broadcast frequency: At least once during the day of the event.

c) Broadcast time: Included in the daily news program on the day of the event.

b) New broadcast frequency: At least once per quarter initially;

a) Airtime duration: At least 5 minutes per broadcast.

b) Broadcast frequency: At least once per quarter.

c) Broadcast time: Between 19:45 and 23:00.

b) Broadcast frequency: At least once every six months;

c) Broadcast time: Within the period from 06:00 to 22:00, with priority given from 20:00 to 22:00.

b) Broadcast frequency: At least once every six months.

c) Broadcast time: Between 19:45 and 23:00.

4. Form of scrolling text on screen.

c) Scroll time: Within the period from 19:45 to 23:00.

6. In addition to complying with the regulations on broadcast times and durations specified in Points a and c of Clause 1, Point a and c of Clause 2, Point a and c of Clause 3, and Point a and c of Clause 4 of this Article, Voice of Vietnam Radio, Vietnam Television, and VTC Digital Television shall increase broadcast frequencies during the National Month of Action for HIV/AIDS Prevention and Control each year as follows:

a) Voice of Vietnam Radio: Implement at least ten broadcasts for publicity and promotional formats with a minimum broadcast duration of 30 seconds per broadcast.

5. Form of promotional propaganda.

c) Initial broadcast time: Within the period from 06:00 to 07:30 or from 12:00 to 13:30 or from 17:30 to 19:00.

b) Broadcast frequency: At least three times per month.

c) Broadcast time: Between 19:45 and 23:00.

6. In addition to implementing the provisions on broadcast time and duration as stipulated in points a and c of Clause 2, point a and c of Clause 3, point a and c of Clause 4, and point a and c of Clause 5 of this Article, provincial radio and television stations shall increase broadcast frequency during the National Month of Action for HIV/AIDS Prevention and Control annually as follows:

a) Broadcast at least four times for promotional propaganda, two times for feature stories and documentary films, and one time for exchange sessions and roundtable discussions.

b) The airtime duration for each form shall be implemented according to the provisions set out in point a of Clause 3, point a of Clause 4, and point c of Clause 6 of this Article.

Chapter II PROVISIONS ON PRIORITY REGARDING SPACE AND POSITION FOR PUBLICATION IN PRINTED AND ELECTRONIC NEWSPAPERS

Article 3. Regarding daily or bi-daily printed newspapers.

1. Weekly publication of at least one news item or article on HIV/AIDS prevention and control.

2. During the National Month of Action for HIV/AIDS Prevention and Control, publish one special section on HIV/AIDS communication.

Article 4. Regarding weekly printed newspapers.

1. Every two weeks, publish one news item or article on HIV/AIDS prevention and control.

2. Monthly publication of one special section on HIV/AIDS prevention and control. Newspapers that have published such a special section are not required to comply with the provisions of Clause 1 of this Article.

3. During the National Month of Action for HIV/AIDS Prevention and Control, publish one special section on HIV/AIDS communication.

Article 5. Regarding monthly cultural and social magazines.

1. Each issue includes one news item or article on HIV/AIDS prevention and control.

2. Every two months, publish one special section on HIV/AIDS communication. Magazines that have published such a special section are not required to comply with the provisions of Clause 1 of this Article.

Article 6. Regarding electronic newspapers.

1. Weekly publication of news and images about HIV/AIDS prevention and control activities.

2. Monthly publication of articles reflecting HIV/AIDS prevention and control work.

3. Quarterly publication of one special section on HIV/AIDS communication.

4. During the National Month of Action for HIV/AIDS Prevention and Control, publish at least two special sections on HIV/AIDS communication.

Article 7. Position for publication in printed and electronic newspapers.

Contents and information promoting HIV/AIDS prevention and control are published on the health and culture pages of the newspaper or in a dedicated special section on HIV/AIDS prevention and control.

Chapter III PROVISION OF INFORMATION ON HIV/AIDS

Article 8. Agencies Providing Information on HIV/AIDS to the Press

1. The spokesperson of the Ministry of Health.

2. The Department for Prevention and Control of HIV/AIDS under the Ministry of Health.

3. The focal units for prevention and control of HIV/AIDS in provinces and centrally governed cities.

Article 9. Content of Information Provided

1. Information contents as prescribed in Article 10 of the Law on Prevention and Control of Infection with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV/AIDS).

2. Statistics on the situation of HIV/AIDS infection.

Article 10. Regime for Providing Information

1. Regular information provision:

a) At the beginning of each month and quarter;

b) Organizing regular press conferences and press meetings every six months.

2. Provision of information in case of emergency or at the request of press agencies:

a) When it is deemed necessary to provide information through the press about events or important issues related to HIV/AIDS prevention and control within the scope of their management authority, the information-providing agency shall provide such information to the press in writing or directly during press meetings or press encounters;

b) When press agencies or state management agencies for the press request in writing the provision of information and events related to HIV/AIDS prevention and control.

Article 11. Forms of Information Provision

Depending on the nature of the activity requirements, information on HIV/AIDS will be provided through the following forms:

1. The website of the Department for Prevention and Control of HIV/AIDS at www.vaac.gov.vn.

2. The AIDS and Community Magazine.

3. Sending documents to relevant press agencies and press management agencies.

4. Press conferences, press encounters, and press meetings.

5. Activities of the Vietnam Journalists' Club in conjunction with HIV/AIDS prevention and control work.

6. Inviting representatives of the press to participate in events and activities organized by information-providing agencies.

Chapter IV IMPLEMENTATION ORGANIZATION

Article 12. Responsibilities of Press Agencies

1. Prioritizing time, duration, volume, and placement for publishing educational and communication information on HIV/AIDS prevention and control as stipulated in this Circular.

2. Cooperating with central and local HIV/AIDS prevention and control agencies in developing programs, plans, and content for HIV/AIDS-related information and communication.

3. Reporting annually to the state management agency for the press on the activities of information dissemination, education, and communication on HIV/AIDS prevention and control.

Article 13. Responsibilities of the Department of Information and Communications

1. Inspecting, auditing, and reporting to higher-level management agencies on the implementation of the contents prescribed in this Circular by local press agencies.

2. Cooperating with the Department of Health in organizing press meetings and encounters related to HIV/AIDS prevention and control and providing information on HIV/AIDS to the press.

Article 14. Responsibilities of the Department of Health

1. Inspecting and auditing the provision of information to press agencies at the local level.

2. Cooperating with the Department of Information and Communications in organizing press meetings and encounters related to HIV/AIDS prevention and control and providing information on HIV/AIDS to the press.

3. Cooperating with radio and television stations and press agencies within the province to develop programs, plans, and content for HIV/AIDS-related information and publicity.

4. Directing subordinate units to cooperate and provide specialized content related to HIV/AIDS to local press agencies regularly and in emergencies as prescribed in Chapter III of this Circular.

Article 15. Responsibilities of the Ministry of Information and Communications

1. Direct press agencies and Provincial Departments of Information and Communications in implementing the provisions of this Circular.

2. Entrust the Press Department to be the main unit for managing, supervising, and reporting on information and propaganda activities related to HIV/AIDS prevention and control in printed newspapers nationwide.

3. Entrust the Radio, Television, and Electronic Information Management Department to be the main unit for managing, supervising, and reporting on information and propaganda activities related to HIV/AIDS prevention and control on radio stations, television channels, and online newspapers nationwide.

4. Inspect and supervise the organization of information and propaganda about HIV/AIDS in the press.

Article 16. Responsibilities of the Ministry of Health

1. Coordinate with Voice of Vietnam, Vietnam Television, and VTC Digital Television to open special sections on HIV/AIDS prevention and control.

2. Take the lead and coordinate with relevant agencies in providing accurate and scientific information about HIV/AIDS.

3. Direct HIV/AIDS prevention and control agencies at all levels to provide information related to HIV/AIDS and coordinate with press agencies to promote HIV/AIDS prevention and control.

4. Entrust the HIV/AIDS Prevention and Control Department to be the main unit for inspecting, checking, and supervising the content of information about HIV/AIDS prevention and control for the press and communication work about HIV/AIDS in the press as stipulated in this Circular.

Article 17. Responsibilities of the People's Committee of the Province

The People's Committee of the Province is responsible for directing the Provincial Department of Information and Communications to cooperate with the Health Department and other relevant agencies to organize the implementation of the contents as prescribed in this Circular.

Article 18. Implementation funds

The funding for the implementation of this Circular shall be carried out according to the provisions of Clause 7, Article 12 of the Law on Prevention and Control of Infection with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV/AIDS).

Article 19. Effective Date

This Circular takes effect from October 15, 2010. During the implementation process, if there are any difficulties or need for supplementation or amendment, units shall promptly reflect to the Ministry of Information and Communications and the Ministry of Health for consideration and resolution within their authority.