Issuing Regulations on Spokesperson and Information Provision to the Press

The Prime Minister has just issuedRegulationsRegulations on speaking and providing information to the press, including the regime for speaking and providing information to the press by ministries, ministerial-level agencies, government agencies, and People's Committees of provinces and centrally-administered cities, are governed by current laws on the press.

Government spokesperson, Minister and Head of the Government Office Vu Duc Dam speaks at the regular press conference in April 2013 - Photo: VGP

Specifically, the spokesperson and information provider for the press of state administrative agencies includes:

1. The head of a state administrative agency

2. The person assigned by the head of a state administrative agency to regularly speak to and provide information to the press (the Spokesperson).
The full name, title, telephone number, and email address of the Spokesperson must be disclosed in writing to press agencies and state management agencies in charge of the press, and must be published on the electronic portal or website of the state administrative agency.

3. If necessary, the head of a state administrative agency may authorize a responsible person within their agency to speak on their behalf (the authorized spokesperson) or coordinate with the spokesperson to speak or provide information to the press on specific assigned issues.

If the spokesperson specified in point 2 above is absent and unable to make statements and provide information to the press, they must report this so that the head of the administrative agency can authorize a responsible person within their agency to make statements and provide information to the press.

Authorization to speak on behalf of the organization is done in writing, applies only to each specific case, and is for a limited time.

When granting authorization, the full name, title, phone number, and email address of the authorized spokesperson, along with the authorization document, must be published on the electronic portal or website of the state administrative agency within 12 hours of signing the authorization document.

The spokesperson, or the authorized person specified in points 2 and 3 above, may not further delegate their authority to another person.

Specifically, the regulations also state that individuals within state administrative agencies may provide information to the press in accordance with the law, but they are not allowed to speak or provide information to the press in the name of the state administrative agency; they are not allowed to disclose investigation secrets, official secrets, or false information; they must be truthful when providing information to the press and are legally responsible for the content of the information provided.

Providing monthly information on the direction and management activities of the Government and the Prime Minister.

According to the Regulations, the Minister and Head of the Government Office presides over and coordinates with ministries, ministerial-level agencies, government agencies, and People's Committees of provinces and centrally-administered cities to provide information to the press on a monthly basis regarding the activities and direction and management of the Government and the Prime Minister through press conferences and publication on the Government's Electronic Information Portal.

The Government's Electronic Information Portal is responsible for updating information in accordance with current regulations to provide timely and accurate official information to press agencies nationwide.

Ministries, ministerial-level agencies, government agencies, and People's Committees of provinces and centrally-administered cities shall organize the provision of periodic information to the press on the activities of their agencies and on the fields and areas under their management through forms such as: Monthly provision of periodic information to the press and updating information on the agency's electronic portal or website; Holding press conferences at least once every three months to provide periodic information to the press; Providing timely and accurate information to the Government's Electronic Information Portal in accordance with current regulations.

When necessary, state administrative agencies shall organize the provision of periodic information to the press in writing or directly at weekly briefings organized by the Central Propaganda Department, the Ministry of Information and Communications, and the Vietnam Journalists Association.

Provide information in 3 exceptional/unusual situations.

The regulations state that the Spokesperson or authorized representative is responsible for speaking and providing timely and accurate information to the press in three exceptional circumstances:

1. When it is deemed necessary to inform the press about important events and issues with significant social impact within the scope of management of state administrative agencies, in order to provide timely warnings and guide public opinion.

In cases where an incident requires immediate initial information from a state administrative agency, the Spokesperson or authorized representative is responsible for proactively making statements and providing information to the press within a maximum of one day from the time the incident occurs.

2. When a press agency or a state agency responsible for directing and managing the press requests a statement or information about events or issues within the agency's purview that have been reported in the press, or about the aforementioned events or issues.

3. When there are grounds to believe that the press has published false information about the field or area under the agency's management, the Spokesperson or authorized representative shall request that the media outlet publish a response or correction in accordance with the law.

Press agencies and journalists are responsible for publishing, broadcasting, and truthfully reflecting the content of statements and information provided by the Spokesperson or Authorized Spokesperson, and must clearly state the full name of the Spokesperson or Authorized Spokesperson.

If a media outlet publishes or broadcasts information exactly as provided by the Spokesperson or Authorized Spokesperson, it will not be held responsible for that information.

According to (Chinhphu.vn) - LT