This is the opinion raised by many delegates at the scientific workshop: "Scientific basis and practice of amending the 2016 Press Law" organized by the University of Social Sciences and Humanities (Vietnam National University, Hanoi) in coordination with the Ministry of Information and Communications and Hanoi Law University on June 10.
The workshop attracted many representatives of press agencies, speakers, and scientists.
According to the Ministry of Information and Communications, after 6 years of implementation, the 2016 Press Law and documents guiding its implementation have created a legal corridor for press activities to develop remarkably. The people's freedom of the press and freedom of speech in the press are guaranteed and promoted within the framework of the Constitution and laws.
However, in the implementation process, there are still many shortcomings because the Press Law has not kept up with the innovation in science and information technology in the digital age. The Ministry of Information and Communications has sent a report to the Government on the results of research and review of the Press Law in 2016 and proposed amendments and supplements.
Through review, there are 27 contents and groups of contents with inappropriate regulations because the Press Law is not consistent with the reality of press law. These issues show that amending and supplementing the 2016 Press Law to suit reality is necessary, creating a favorable legal corridor for the press to operate and develop, while overcoming existing shortcomings and inadequacies, and supplementing regulations to promptly adjust problems arising in practice.
Building a media mix model
Dr. Phan Van Kieu, Director of the Institute of Journalism and Communication Training, University of Social Sciences and Humanities (Hanoi), commented: "The Press Law is the most important legal framework for the press to operate in the context of society and the press itself undergoing many fluctuations, continuous and multi-dimensional transformation. The current concept of press does not fully cover the issues raised by digital media. If the scope of regulation is not expanded, it will be very difficult for the press to compete with other types of media."
Agreeing with the above opinion, Mr. Nguyen Van Hieu, Deputy Director of the Press Department (Ministry of Information and Communications), said that with the strong development of technology, more and more new forms of media are being born. The press is just one part of that ecosystem.
Currently, the press operates on many platforms. Many press agencies around the world have a decreasing number of readers accessing the domain name, while the number of readers accessing the platforms is increasing. Many domestic press agencies have accounts on Facebook, TikTok..., we have to take this into account.
Regarding the press model, Mr. Hieu raised the issue: "Many press agencies have many types, many publications operating on multiple platforms, multiple services... Is the current model suitable? In our opinion, we should consider building a press media complex. In the complex, there are many press agencies, operating on multiple platforms, multiple services... The head of this agency will be the editor-in-chief, the publisher".
To implement the next plan in the press planning, for the governing body with many press agencies such as Hanoi City, Ho Chi Minh City, Central Youth Union..., wanting to maintain a large, prestigious press brand with a role in leading public opinion, Mr. Hieu said that the direction of editors and newspaper owners will be suitable for the model of large press agencies.
From the shortcomings of the Press Law, Associate Professor - Dr. Do Thi Thu Hang, Head of the Professional Department (Vietnam Journalists Association), proposed to change the name to the Press and Media Law, expanding the scope of regulated subjects.
According to Ms. Hang, the focus of digital transformation of journalism is to bring content production and distribution to the digital environment. "Therefore, the revised Press Law needs to supplement regulations on digital platforms, information security, media security, copyright regulations, mechanisms for purchasing and using digital technology software, and artificial intelligence in press and media agencies.
In addition, it is necessary to regulate the rights and responsibilities of subjects in content creation, production organization, editorial management, press and media management and stakeholders in the digital ecosystem," Ms. Hang suggested.
Need to clearly distinguish the boundaries between electronic newspapers and magazines
From the difficulties and challenges faced in the process of digital transformation and multi-platform development, in the presentation sent to the workshop, Thanh Nien Newspaper also made some contributions to amend and supplement to perfect the regulations of the Press Law.
Journalist Dang Thi Phuong Thao, Deputy Editor-in-Chief of Thanh Nien Newspaper, said that the 2016 Press Law does not clearly distinguish and quantify between electronic newspapers and magazines. This is also an objective reason, because the rapid development of digital technology has led to the boundary between newspapers and magazines on the current internet platform being very fragile.
"The confusion between newspapers and magazines, or "newspaperization", causes difficulties in state management of press activities. In particular, many electronic magazines publish information that reflects the negative aspects of society; news and articles with sensational headlines that "attract views" have strayed from their main functions and tasks, but state management agencies still find it difficult to handle," journalist Dang Thi Phuong Thao reflected.
On the other hand, currently, many press agencies (especially electronic newspapers) are managed and manipulated by businesses (behind the scenes), publishing information indiscriminately. To rectify this situation, the Deputy Editor-in-Chief of Thanh Nien Newspaper commented: "The Press Law must affirm that businesses are not allowed to establish or manage press agencies. The Ministry of Information and Communications needs to review carefully before granting licenses to establish press agencies."
Speaking at the workshop, Deputy Minister of Information and Communications Nguyen Thanh Lam said that in the context of strong and rapid development of science - technology and modern communications, some provisions of the Press Law have revealed inadequacies and have not met the practical requirements of press activities.
"The opinions of representatives of agencies, speakers, and scientists from many agencies in different fields will provide an objective and comprehensive view of relevant aspects of press activities and state management of the press in the current period. The Ministry of Information and Communications will synthesize the opinions to prepare a proposal to submit to the Government for comments on issues that need to be amended and supplemented in the 2016 Press Law," said Mr. Lam.
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