Minister of Information and Communications explains the term 'director-general' of journalism.

One of the provisions considered a new point in the draft press law that has caused concern among many National Assembly deputies is the regulation concerning the general director and editor-in-chief of a press agency.

Representative Nguyen Van Minh (Ho Chi Minh City) argued that the regulation stating "each media agency has a General Director and an Editor-in-Chief, with the Editor-in-Chief accountable to the General Director, and the General Director accountable to the governing body" is unreasonable and unclear regarding the responsibilities of those in charge. "If this is implemented, the Enterprise Law must be reviewed," Mr. Minh said.

Delegate Nguyen Thuy Trang, photo by Hoang Long.

Representative Nguyen Pham Y Nhi (Hanoi) reflected on feedback from the press that "this regulation seems to lack basis" and suggested that the regulation should be based on the specific characteristics of each media agency.

Representative Nguyen Thi Ngoc Thanh (Hanoi) suggested that only multimedia communication agencies need both a CEO and an Editor-in-Chief.

Hanoi Party Secretary Pham Quang Nghi argued that the Editor-in-Chief is the "chief editor," responsible for content, a term commonly applied to print and written media outlets. The General Director, on the other hand, is responsible for content, technical aspects, finance, and personnel.

"In reality, only radio and television have a General Director. For example, VTV has Mr. Tran Binh Minh as General Director, but Hanoi Moi newspaper doesn't have a General Director, only an Editor-in-Chief. The term 'Editor-in-Chief' clearly means only content editing," Mr. Nghi said.

Representative Doan Nguyen Thuy Trang (Ho Chi Minh City) also expressed concern that the regulation might cause "confusion," but believes it will be appropriate when media agencies are merged in the future. A media agency could have multiple newspapers, and the head would be called the General Director, while the Editor-in-Chief would only be responsible for content. If the agency has few newspapers, the General Director could also serve as the Editor-in-Chief.

Avoid being bulky.

Minister of Information and Communications Nguyen Bac Son said that the draft law stipulates that media agencies have a General Director, Deputy General Director, Editor-in-Chief, and Deputy Editor-in-Chief. The Editor-in-Chief and Deputy Editor-in-Chief are responsible for content management, while the General Director and Deputy General Director lead the media agency.

Minister of Information and Communications Nguyen Bac Son. Photo: Pham Hai

However, according to the Minister, there are some opinions suggesting that it is necessary to distinguish multimedia news agencies such as the Voice of Vietnam and Vietnam Television from the many other different news agencies.

Large broadcasting stations and media organizations should have a General Director and Deputy General Director, with Editors-in-Chief of smaller channels and newspapers below them. Smaller newspapers, not multimedia publications, should only have an Editor-in-Chief and Deputy Editor-in-Chief, as they currently do, to save costs and avoid a cumbersome leadership structure.

"For example, if a small magazine has a CEO, a Deputy CEO, and below them, an Editor-in-Chief and a Deputy Editor-in-Chief, it's too cumbersome and doesn't allow for the implementation of directives on streamlining personnel," said Mr. Nguyen Bac Son.

The minister said that the drafting agency had received feedback from press agencies and the Journalists' Association, and had shared it with members of parliament.

According to Vietnamnet