The draft revision of the Press Law has been discussed for the 1st time at the 10th session of the 13th National Assembly.
The Press Law was issued in 1989 and revised in 1999. After 16 years of enforcement, the law has shown some shortcomings in regulating concurrent journalistic issues and state management in this sector.
The revision is presided by the Ministry of Information and Communications.
Institutionalizing the 2013 Constitution
The revised law will adopt a new chapter on freedom of press and speech on mass media. It specifies that citizens have the right to exercise press activities under law and state protection. Reporters and citizens have the right to access information that is not prohibited by law.
Deputy representing Binh Thuan province Ha Minh Hue said, “Public’s most concern is the law has to specify the 2013 Constitution, particularly citizens’ freedom of press and speech. Most of the deputies agree that the law must regulate that people can engage in press activities to express their views.”
Freedom of press is a basic human right, which is mentioned in the 1948 International Declaration on Human Rights and the 1966 UN Convention on Civil and Political Rights.
Vietnam’s 2013 Constitution says human rights and citizens’ rights are acknowledged, respected, and protected by the Constitution and law.
The right to freedom of speech and press must be exercised in line with the Constitution and law. It’s prohibited to over use of the right to harm the interests of the nation and other people.”
The revised Press Law stipulates that press agencies, reporters, and ordinary people have the right to access information, express information, and engage in monitoring and social criticism as mentioned in the Constitution.
Enhancing the Party and State leadership in the press sector
The Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) has always attached importance to communications and considered the press a “sharp tool in the Party’s communication activities” and “a vanguard in the cultural and ideological fronts”.
Under the Party’s leadership and state management, the press is provided conditions to fulfill its tasks.
Nguyen Bac Son, Minister of Information and Communications and a deputy of Hanoi, shared, “The press is an important communication tool of the Party and State and a forum of people. The Press Law must follow the Party’s leadership and State management.”
The revision of the Press Law is appropriate and comprehensive, ensuring the development and management of press in the new period.
