Joint Circular No. 40-JC Circular guiding the unification of local radio broadcasting management

JOINT CIRCULAR

Regarding the guidance on the unification of local broadcasting services

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To fully and promptly implement Decision No. 15-CP dated February 9, 1962 of the Council of Ministers assigning the management of technical facilities for broadcasting and the development of broadcasting services to the Post Office, this joint circular is issued to clarify the issue and provide additional guidance on the matters that need to be addressed as follows:

I. VIEW ON THE TRANSFER ISSUE

Based on the current situation and new tasks, and considering the close relationship and similar technical nature between the Post Office and broadcasting, it is necessary to unify the two sectors to create favorable conditions for the development of broadcasting services. Therefore, transferring the broadcasting technical sector to the Post Office is not merely about transferring a number of wire systems, machinery, staff, and broadcasting service funds to the Post Office's management, but more importantly, it involves transferring the responsibility and the broadcasting service itself to the Post Office. As a result, in addition to its previous communication tasks, the Post Office will also have the added responsibility of managing, developing, and improving broadcasting technology.

The primary purpose of broadcasting work is to bring the voice of the Party and the State directly to the basic masses, so the task of broadcasting not only includes building and developing national broadcasting centers and systems but also organizing the construction and development of widespread public or semi-public broadcasting networks. The nature of broadcasting work is to serve the direct needs of political tasks, so even though the Post Office has begun economic accounting, broadcasting activities will temporarily continue under the current service system. It is essential to recognize the mission and nature of broadcasting services to properly address all aspects of work after the transfer to the Post Office.

II. REQUIREMENTS AND PRINCIPLES

During the process of unification, attention must be paid to the following requirements and principles:

1. Staff and employees must agree with the policy and actively implement it, maintain internal unity, and enthusiastically perform their duties in the new organization.

2. Ensure the normal operation of broadcasting work during both preparation and transfer periods.

3. In the initial stage of unification, avoid unnecessary organizational and personnel disruptions. Consider the specific circumstances of each locality, the sentiments, style, and lifestyle of broadcasting staff when they first join the Post Office.

4. Clearly define the relationship between the Post Office and Broadcasting with related agencies, especially clearly defining the working relationship between the technical department and the editorial department.

5. Emphasize ideological work, do well in ideological and organizational work, particularly in terms of ideology. Proceed with organizational unification based on consensus in ideological understanding.

6. Act urgently but with thorough preparation and implementation in planned steps with strict leadership.

III. CONTENT

The content of transferring the broadcasting technical sector to the Post Office includes the following issues:

1. Duties:

While awaiting detailed assignment of tasks for Provincial Post Offices and Broadcasting Departments, based on the tasks assigned by the Council of Ministers to the General Department of Posts and Telecommunications and Broadcasting, the Joint Ministry temporarily assigns tasks for Provincial Post Offices and Broadcasting Departments regarding broadcasting work as follows:

a) Study plans for developing local broadcasting services using simple and modern means, gradually implementing the task of local broadcasting transformation.

b) Manage existing broadcasting systems at the provincial level, ensuring the effective operation of broadcasting stations, serving regular and emergency propaganda tasks of the locality, and continuing to develop new broadcasting systems according to the locality's plan.

c) Repair sound recording and amplification equipment of local broadcasting facilities and organizations.

d) Ensure all sound reinforcement plans for propaganda campaigns, large meetings, and conferences of the locality.

e) Guide and assist factories, farms, enterprises, schools, and cooperatives in constructing and managing local broadcasting systems.

g) Guide the people in the use and maintenance of radio listening devices, prevent accidents (lightning protection), and coordinate with cultural departments in organizing listening groups (Culture and Information guide on organization, Post and Broadcasting guide on technology).

2. Material and Technical Basis:

Local Information Bureau or Broadcasting Station must transfer all assets related to broadcasting work to the Provincial Post Office, including: wire systems, loudspeakers, stations, and machines and equipment, warehouses, buildings, and other working tools.

Except for machines and equipment used for daily broadcasting program construction such as soundproof rooms, tape recorders, and small playback machines used for mobile recording work, which should be transferred to the editorial department. However, if it is deemed that management may cause difficulties, they can be transferred to the Post Office, but specific usage relationships must be defined to avoid future conflicts.

For assets previously used by multiple departments, the Administrative Committee shall decide on reasonable allocation based on the requirements of each organization. All transferred assets must be inventoried (following the inventory method of service agencies). Assets transferred to the Post Office should be managed separately, and items previously used for certain purposes should continue to be used for those purposes. If adjustments are needed for better utilization, discussions should be held to reach agreement to avoid misunderstandings initially.

3. Plans and Budgets.

Based on the approved 1962 broadcasting work plan, transfer the entire plan to the Post Office for continued management and implementation. In cases where some items have not been officially approved, the local administrative committee should study and resolve them decisively.

Pending the study of an appropriate budget system for broadcasting work, the local budget will continue to fund the broadcasting expenses of the Post annually. The Post and Broadcasting Departments shall use the broadcasting funds according to the public service system.

The budget planning for broadcasting in 1963 shall be prepared and submitted by the Post and Broadcasting Departments for review by the Administrative Committee. If the transfer process has not been completed when making plans, the Information Office or the Radio Station shall coordinate with the Post Department to discuss and implement accordingly.

4. Personnel:

In general, all staff members who previously worked in broadcasting (including those responsible for developing the industry and technical staff) shall now be transferred to the Post. For special cases requiring adjustment, the local Administrative Committee shall decide based on specific circumstances, but it is necessary to avoid reducing the number of broadcasting personnel. When transferred to the Post, they should continue their previous work and only be adjusted if truly necessary.

5. Organization:

The organization of broadcasting within the Post Departments shall be determined by the local Administrative Committee based on functions, tasks, nature, volume of work, and organizational characteristics of the locality, without necessarily applying a uniform organizational form for all localities. However, during the initial transition period, a separate broadcasting unit under the direct supervision of the Post Director or Broadcasting Department Head should generally be maintained.

6. Some Regulations and Policies:

Pending detailed guidelines from the General Post and Broadcasting Administration regarding regulations, policies, prices, and procedures for local broadcasting work, current regulations and policies shall continue to be applied without change.

IV. IMPLEMENTATION METHODS

Localities that are well-prepared should proceed with unification first, while those less prepared should unify later but must expedite preparations to prevent delays in the transfer. For localities with large technical facilities and numerous staff, careful discussion and thorough preparation are required to ensure that the transfer does not affect operations and service quality.

Specifically for the Vinh Linh area, the Administrative Committee of the region shall consult with the General Post and Broadcasting Administration to determine the appropriate handover method.

After unifying broadcasting with the Post, all Post Departments and Offices (including those without broadcasting systems) shall rename themselves as Post and Broadcasting Departments or Offices.

For localities that have already unified before this Circular was issued, adjustments should be made based on the spirit of the Circular where there are inconsistencies.

Unifying broadcasting with the Post and developing the broadcasting industry is a relatively complex process, thus requiring strict guidance from administrative committees at all levels, particularly ideological guidance.

The Joint Ministries hope that the Administrative Committees of regions, provinces, and cities will actively implement the policy. If there are difficulties or obstacles, they should report to the General Post and Broadcasting Administration so that, depending on the nature of each issue, coordination with relevant ministries and agencies can be arranged to resolve them.