Decision No. 975/QD-TTg On Providing Certain Types of Newspapers and Magazines to Ethnic Minority Areas and Mountainous Regions, and Particularly Difficult Areas

Pursuant to …;

On the issuance of certain types of newspapers and magazines to ethnic minority regions and mountainous areas, and particularly difficult regions

and mountainous areas, particularly difficult regions

_____________________

PRIME MINISTER

Pursuant to the Law on Organization of the Government dated December 25, 2001;

Pursuant to the Resolution of the 7th Plenary Session of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam, Ninth Tenure, on ethnic affairs;

Pursuant to Decision No. 122/2003/QĐ-TTg dated June 12, 2003 of the Government Chairman regarding the Action Program of the Government to implement the Resolution of the 7th Plenary Session of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam, Ninth Tenure, on ethnic affairs.

Considering the proposal of the Minister, Head of the Committee for Ethnic Minorities, the Minister of Culture - Information, and the Minister of Finance,

Pursuant to …;

Article 1||| The State shall issue (without charge) certain types of newspapers and magazines to enhance information and propaganda work serving the development of politics, economy, culture, and society in ethnic minority regions and mountainous areas, and particularly difficult regions.

Article 2. Types of newspapers and magazines and the scope and recipients of their distribution are stipulated as follows under Article 1 of this Decision:

1. Special edition "Măng Non Nhi Đồng" of the Children's Newspaper (Central Youth Union Ho Chi Minh), published 24 issues/year:

 Issued to primary schools in mountainous, highland, border, and island communes, and primary boarding schools for ethnic minorities and mountainous regions in each province, one copy per class.

2. Special edition "Thiếu Nhi Dân Tộc" of the Pioneer Youth Newspaper (Central Youth Union Ho Chi Minh), published 24 issues/year:

Issued to secondary schools in mountainous, highland, border, and island communes, and secondary boarding schools for ethnic minorities and mountainous regions in each province, one copy per class.

3. Photo bulletin "Dân Tộc Thiểu Số Và Miền Núi" of the Vietnam News Agency, published 12 issues/year:

Issued to ethnic minority and mountainous regions, one copy per Provincial Ethnic Minority Board, one copy per District Ethnic Minority Office, one copy per Commune People's Committee, one copy per Border Guard Post, and one copy per village.

4. Special edition "Dân Tộc Thiểu Số Và Miền Núi" of the Vietnam News Agency, published 12 issues/year:

Issued to ethnic minority and mountainous regions, one copy per Provincial Ethnic Minority Board, one copy per District Ethnic Minority Office, one copy per Commune People's Committee, and one copy per Border Guard Post.

5. Newspaper "Dân Tộc Và Phát Triển" of the Committee for Ethnic Minorities, published 104 issues/year:

Issued to ethnic minority and mountainous regions, one copy per Provincial Ethnic Minority Board, one copy per District Ethnic Minority Office, one copy per Khmer Temple, one copy per Team 123 (Ministry of Defense), one copy per Commune People's Committee, and one copy per village.

6. Newspaper "Nông Thôn Ngày Nay" of the Vietnam Farmers' Association, published 260 issues/year:

 Issued to ethnic minority and mountainous regions, one copy per Commune Farmers' Association; issued to Northwest, Central Highlands, and Southwest regions, one copy per Sub-Farmers' Association.

7. Newspaper "Văn Hóa" of the Ministry of Culture - Information, published 104 issues/year:

Issued to ethnic minority and mountainous regions, one copy per Commune People's Committee; issued to Northwest, Central Highlands, and Southwest regions, one copy per village.

8. Weekly newspaper "Biên Phòng" (Border Defense) and monthly newspaper "An Ninh Biên Giới" (Border Security) (Border Guard Command - Ministry of National Defense), published 52 weekly issues and 12 monthly issues respectively:

Issued to border communes, one copy per Commune People's Committee, one copy per village, and one copy per Border Guard Team.

9. Special edition "Dân Tộc Thiểu Số Và Miền Núi" of the newspapers: Science and Life (Vietnam Association for Science and Technology), Health and Life (Ministry of Health), VAC Economy (Vietnam Horticulture Association), Vietnam Industry (Ministry of Industry): each special edition published 24 issues/year:

Issued to ethnic minority and mountainous regions, one copy per Commune People's Committee; issued to Central Highlands, Northwest, and Southwest regions, one copy per village.

10. Special edition "Dân Tộc Thiểu Số Và Miền Núi" of the newspapers: Commerce (Ministry of Trade), Vietnam Agriculture (Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development), and special edition "Poverty Eradication and Poverty Reduction" of the Labor and Social Affairs Newspaper (Ministry of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs): each special edition published 24 issues/year:

Issued to particularly difficult communes, one copy per Commune People's Committee, and one copy per village.

11. Special edition "Dân Tộc Thiểu Số Và Miền Núi" of the United Front for Peace and Unity Newspaper (Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front), published 24 issues/year:

Issued to Central Highlands, Northwest, and Southwest regions, one copy per Commune Fatherland Front Committee, and one copy per Village Work Team.

12. Special edition "Dân Tộc Thiểu Số Và Miền Núi" of the Youth Magazine (Central Youth Union Ho Chi Minh), published 24 issues/year:

Issued to ethnic minority and mountainous regions, one copy per Commune Youth Union Executive Board, one copy per boarding school Youth Union Executive Board, and one copy per Border Guard Post.

13. Magazine "Dân Tộc" of the Committee for Ethnic Minorities, published 12 issues/year:

Issued to ethnic minority and mountainous regions, one copy per Provincial Ethnic Minority Board, one copy per District Ethnic Minority Office, one copy per Commune People's Committee, one copy per Border Guard Post, and one copy per boarding school.

14. Magazine "Văn Hóa Các Dân Tộc Thiểu Số" of the Vietnam Literary and Artistic Association for Ethnic Minorities, published 12 issues/year:

Issued to ethnic minority and mountainous regions, one copy per Provincial Literary and Artistic Association, one copy per District Cultural and Information Office, one copy per Commune People's Committee, one copy per Border Guard Post, and one copy per boarding school.

Article 3. Allocation of responsibilities

1. Ethnic Minority Committee:

a) To take the lead in placing orders with relevant agencies and units for the issuance of newspapers and magazines according to the quantity, scope, and recipients approved by the Prime Minister.

b) To take the lead and coordinate with relevant ministries, agencies, and provincial people's committees in ethnic minority and mountainous regions, and particularly difficult regions to guide, monitor, and inspect the issuance and use of newspapers and magazines promptly, accurately, and effectively; to develop plans and policies for the development of press services in ethnic minority and mountainous regions, and particularly difficult regions; to annually review and evaluate the quality and effectiveness of service provided by each type of newspaper and magazine, and propose adjustments and supplements to the types of newspapers and magazines, recipients, and scope of service to meet practical needs and improve service quality.

c) Coordinate with the Ministry of Culture - Information, relevant agencies, and People's Committees of regions where newspapers and magazines are distributed to guide, monitor, and inspect the content and format of such newspapers and magazines.

2. The Ministry of Culture - Information:

a) Lead and coordinate with relevant ministries and sectors to guide, monitor, and inspect the content and format of newspapers and magazines distributed to meet the information needs of ethnic minority areas, mountainous regions, and particularly difficult areas, ensuring they align with the objectives and purposes of each type of newspaper or magazine.

b) Coordinate with relevant ministries and sectors to develop plans, mechanisms, and policies for developing journalism work serving ethnic minority areas and mountainous regions, and particularly difficult areas.

c) Coordinate with the Committee for Ethnic Minorities and relevant ministries and agencies to guide, monitor, and inspect the distribution and use of newspapers and magazines within their designated scope and target groups; annually compile and report to the Prime Minister on the quality and effectiveness of information dissemination and propaganda of each type of newspaper and magazine.

3. The Ministry of Finance:

a) Annually allocate funds from the central budget to implement the distribution of newspapers and magazines to eligible recipients approved by the Prime Minister.

b) Lead and coordinate with relevant ministries and sectors to determine the publication and distribution costs of newspapers and magazines distributed; guide and inspect the management and use of funds allocated for newspapers and magazines serving ethnic minority areas and mountainous regions, and particularly difficult areas.

c) Coordinate with relevant ministries and sectors to monitor and inspect the distribution and use of newspapers and magazines; develop plans, mechanisms, and policies for developing journalism work serving ethnic minority areas and mountainous regions, and particularly difficult areas.

4. The Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications:

a) Lead and coordinate with relevant ministries and sectors to direct functional units to organize timely distribution to the correct target groups, quantities, and addresses of newspapers and magazines distributed that have been approved by the Prime Minister.

b) Coordinate with relevant ministries and sectors to compile and report to the Prime Minister on the quality and effectiveness of service provision; develop plans, mechanisms, and policies for developing journalism work for ethnic minority areas and mountainous regions, and particularly difficult areas.

5. The Ministry of Planning and Investment:

Coordinate with relevant ministries and sectors to guide, monitor, and inspect the content of information in newspapers and magazines; develop plans, mechanisms, and policies for developing journalism work serving ethnic minority areas and mountainous regions, and particularly difficult areas.

6. The Ministry of Education and Training:

a) Determine the specific number and list of schools and classes belonging to the target group receiving the "Ethnic Minorities and Mountainous Areas" special issue of newspapers and magazines approved by the Prime Minister.

b) Coordinate with the Committee for Ethnic Minorities and the Ministry of Culture - Information to inspect and monitor the distribution and use of newspapers and magazines, evaluate the content, format, and quality of information provided to schools and classes; develop mechanisms and policies for developing journalism work serving schools and classes in ethnic minority areas and mountainous regions, and particularly difficult areas.

7. The managing bodies of newspapers and magazines identified in Article 2 of this Decision:

Direct and inspect news organizations to fulfill assigned tasks effectively, ensuring the content of information is consistent with the objectives and purposes of the news organization, meeting practical requirements, and distributing correctly to the intended recipients.

8. News organizations identified in Article 2 of this Decision:

Are responsible for fulfilling assigned tasks, ensuring publications have content and formats of information suitable for the target groups receiving newspapers and magazines, aligned with the objectives and purposes of the newspapers and magazines, meeting practical needs, and maximizing usage effectiveness.

9. People's Committees at all levels:

a) Are responsible for inspecting the distribution of newspapers and magazines; direct and guide recipients to utilize and maximize the benefits and effectiveness of information from newspapers and magazines in their respective jurisdictions.

b) Proactively coordinate with relevant ministries and sectors, news organizations, to provide feedback on improving content, format, and target groups served; participate in evaluating the quality of information and service effectiveness of each type of newspaper and magazine, and propose mechanisms and policies for developing journalism work for ethnic minority areas and mountainous regions, and particularly difficult areas.

Article 4. Financial mechanism for the distribution of certain types of newspapers and magazines.

1. Funds for implementing the policy of distributing (without charge) certain types of newspapers and magazines to ethnic minority areas and mountainous regions shall be guaranteed by the central budget and allocated in the annual budget estimate of the Committee for Ethnic Minorities.

Based on annual contracts between the Committee for Ethnic Minorities and newspapers, magazines, and distribution units, the Ministry of Finance will directly allocate funds to these entities to carry out the distribution.

Management and settlement of funds for the distribution of certain types of newspapers and magazines to ethnic minority areas and mountainous regions shall be carried out in accordance with the State Budget Law, guiding documents of the law, and current regulations.

2. Annually, based on reports from the Committee for Ethnic Minorities on the implementation of publishing, distribution, and utilization of newspapers and magazines, and reports from the Ministry of Culture - Information on the content of information, implementation of objectives and purposes, and promotional effects of distributed newspapers and magazines; considering the target groups receiving newspapers and magazines, quantities, and publication and distribution costs, the Committee for Ethnic Minorities will prepare an annual budget estimate, submit it to the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Planning and Investment for consolidation, and report to the Prime Minister for submission to the National Assembly for approval.

3. Based on the approved budget estimate, the Committee for Ethnic Minorities will sign contracts with news organizations according to the quantities, target groups, and scopes approved by the Prime Minister in this Decision.

For the year 2006, the Ministry of Finance will advance the 2007 budget estimate to supplement the insufficient budget for the Committee for Ethnic Minorities to implement.

Article 5This Decision shall take effect from October 1, 2006, and replace Decision No. 1637/QĐ-TTg dated December 31, 2001 of the Prime Minister, and the circular letters: No. 869/CP-VX dated June 30, 2003, No. 5760/VPCP-V.III dated October 20, 2004, and No. 1429/CP-VX dated September 30, 2004 of the Prime Minister regarding the issuance of certain types of newspapers and magazines to ethnic minority areas and mountainous regions.

All previous provisions that conflict with this Decision are hereby abolished.

Article 6The Committee for Ethnic Minorities shall be responsible for guiding the implementation of this Decision in coordination with the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Planning and Investment, the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications, the Ministry of Education and Training, relevant ministries and agencies, and the People's Committees of provinces in ethnic minority and mountainous regions, and particularly difficult areas.

, Clause 1, Clause 2 Article 7a of this Regulation.The Ministers, Heads of ministerial-level agencies, Heads of government agencies, Chairmen of provincial People's Committees under central cities shall be responsible for implementing this Decision./.