Decree No. 66/1998/ND-CP On the Functions, Tasks, Authorities, and Organizational Structure of the Vietnam News Agency

DECREE OF THE GOVERNMENT

Vconcerning functions, tasks, powers, and organizational structure of

Vietnam News Agency

THE GOVERNMENT

Pursuant to the Government Organization Law dated September 30, 1992;

At the proposal of the General Director of Vietnam News Agency and the Minister, Head of the Organization-Cadre Department of the Government,

DECREE:

Article 1. Vietnam News Agency is an agency under the Government, performing the function of a state news agency in issuing news and official documents of the Party and State, providing information to serve leadership and management requirements of the Party and State; collecting and disseminating information through appropriate press forms to serve domestic and foreign entities with needs as prescribed by law.

Article 2. Vietnam News Agency has the following specific tasks and powers:

1. Issuing news and official documents of the Party and State; collecting, compiling news, photos, materials, and reference documents to promptly meet leadership and management requirements of the Party and State, serving research agencies and press guidance agencies.

2. Collecting, compiling, and disseminating various types of information (news, articles, materials, books, static images, moving images) through appropriate press forms to serve all entities with needs both domestically and internationally as prescribed by the Press Law and the Publishing Law.

3. When assigned by the Prime Minister, the General Director of Vietnam News Agency is authorized to publish the official viewpoints of the Party and State on current issues, correct misinformation, and refute information with malicious intent aimed at distorting facts.

4. Participating with the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism in managing foreign news agencies' sources of information circulating in Vietnam's territory as prescribed by law.

5. Performing the function of a national database for information and managing national photo archives.

6. Cooperating with relevant ministries and sectors to fulfill common information tasks as well as other related tasks serving national defense and security work.

7. Implementing scientific research on news agency operations, information technology, and training technical skills for staff in the sector.

8. Establishing and managing an information technology infrastructure system, gradually modernizing techniques in line with international information technology development.

9. Cooperating with countries, international organizations, and regional organizations in areas for which Vietnam News Agency is responsible as prescribed by the Government.

10. Managing organization, personnel, staffing, salaries, finance, and equipment of the sector according to state regulations and policies.

11. Conducting inspection and supervision over subordinate units.

Article 3. Vietnam News Agency has a General Director and several Deputy General Directors assisting the General Director. The General Director and Deputy General Directors of Vietnam News Agency are appointed and relieved from duty by the Prime Minister.

Article 4. The organizational structure of Vietnam News Agency includes:

1. Office

2. Editorial Board.

3. Organization-Cadre Department,

4. Planning-Finance Department.

5. Inspection Department.

6. Domestic News Editing Department.

7. Foreign News Editing Department.

8. World News Editing Department.

9. Photo Production-Editing Department.

10. Economic News Editing Department.

11. Vietnam Photo Newspaper.

12. Information-Document Center.

13. Telecommunications Technology Center.

14. International Cooperation Telecommunications Center.

15. Training Center for Telecommunications Operations.

16. Representative Office in Ho Chi Minh City and Da Nang City.

17. Domestic and overseas branches.

18. Press editorial offices, publishing and distribution facilities, and other units operating on accounting methods established in accordance with the law.

The General Director of Vietnam News Agency stipulates the functions, tasks, powers, and organizational structures of these organizations; decides to establish or dissolve domestic branches after obtaining the agreement of the Minister, Head of the Organization-Cadre Department of the Government.

Article 5. This Decree takes effect fifteen days after its date of issuance. The Decree No. 112/HĐBT dated April 2, 1992 of the Council of Ministers (now the Government) regarding the functions, tasks, powers, and organizational structure of Vietnam News Agency and previous conflicting regulations are hereby abolished.

Article 6. The General Director of Vietnam News Agency, Ministers, Heads of ministerial-level agencies, Heads of government-affiliated agencies, Chairpersons of People's Committees of provinces and centrally governed cities are responsible for implementing this Decree.