Directive of the Secretariat to strengthen the Party's leadership over the Journalists Association

Nghe An Newspaper would like to publish the full text of the Directive:

1. After 15 years of implementing Directive No. 37-CT/TU, dated March 18, 2004 of the Central Party Secretariat, 9th tenure, the Vietnam Journalists Association has been continuously consolidated and developed, continuing to affirm its important position and role in the Party's revolutionary cause. The Association has regularly organized, mobilized and encouraged journalists to actively propagate the Party's guidelines and policies, the State's policies and laws; the country's achievements; fight against plots, tricks and wrong views of hostile forces, and protect the Party's ideological foundation. In particular, the press has effectively participated in protecting the sovereignty of the Fatherland's seas and islands and the fight against corruption and waste. The Association has actively participated in building press mechanisms and policies, supervising compliance with press laws, contributing to promoting the strong development of Vietnam's revolutionary press.

In addition to the achievements, the activities of the Vietnam Journalists Association still have some limitations. The quality and effectiveness of some association organizations are still limited, not fully promoting the role and position of the Association. The work of gathering journalists still faces many difficulties. Some association organizations and press agencies have not focused on political and ideological education, training, and professional development. Some members have not actively studied to improve their journalistic skills in the new situation. There are still situations where journalistic activities are far from the principles and purposes, lacking orientation; some journalists lack self-cultivation and training, violate the law, and violate professional ethics.

The causes of the above shortcomings are: Party building, education, training in political theory, professional ethics, expertise and skills at some levels of the association have not received due attention. The content and methods of operation of the Association are slow to innovate. Awareness of political tasks, social responsibilities, civic duties and awareness of building the Association of a part of the members is still limited. Coordination between some agencies directing and managing the press, press management agencies, press agencies and the association levels is not close, timely and effective. Party committees and authorities of some localities, management agencies and press agencies have not well implemented the Party's guidelines, the State's policies and laws on press work as well as the activities of the Journalists Association; have not created the necessary conditions for the Association to operate and develop.

2. In the coming time, the world situation will have many complex and unpredictable developments, strongly affecting our country. In the context of strong development of science and technology, especially information technology, besides advantages and opportunities, journalism and the activities of the Journalists Association face many difficulties and challenges. The press is at risk of being dominated and overwhelmed by social media, causing many harmful effects. Hostile forces are constantly opposing our Party, State and regime.

To improve the quality of activities of the Vietnam Journalists Association in the new situation, the Secretariat requests Party committees, Party organizations, authorities and the Vietnam Journalists Association to perform well the following main tasks:

2.1. Strengthen the Party's leadership and the State's management of the activities of the Vietnam Journalists Association. Continue to innovate the Party's leadership methods and improve the effectiveness and efficiency of State management of the press in the direction of ensuring that the press develops in accordance with the Party's political and ideological orientation and the people's freedom and democracy. Organize the dissemination and implementation of the Party's resolutions, directives, conclusions and laws related to press activities and the Vietnam Journalists Association.

Strengthening the Party building work in press agencies and journalists' associations at all levels. Focusing on political and ideological education so that journalists deeply understand that journalism is revolutionary work, and that journalists are pioneers on the ideological and cultural front of the Party. Continuing to effectively implement the Resolution of the 12th Central Committee, Session 4, on Party building and rectification in press agencies and journalists' associations at all levels, in conjunction with implementing Directive No. 05-CT/TU of the Politburo on studying and following Ho Chi Minh's ideology, morality and lifestyle.

Party committees, authorities at all levels, and press management agencies periodically work with press agencies and Vietnam Journalists Associations at all levels to provide necessary information on issues of public concern, promptly orient propaganda; coordinate to resolve difficulties and obstacles in press activities and the activities of the Vietnam Journalists Association. Create favorable conditions for journalists associations at all levels to operate effectively, promote the role and position of the association in press activities and social life.

2.2. The Vietnam Journalists Association at all levels shall strengthen ideological education and enhance the political capacity of journalists and members of the Vietnam Journalists Association. Regularly organize for journalists and members to study and thoroughly grasp the theories of Marxism-Leninism, Ho Chi Minh's thought; the Party's viewpoints and guidelines, the State's policies and laws in conjunction with the implementation of the Press Law, the National Press Development and Management Plan until 2025, regulations on professional ethics of journalists; Rules for the use of social networks by Vietnamese journalists. Through many appropriate forms of training and fostering to improve the political level, expertise, professionalism and journalism skills of members.

Consolidate and build a unified and tight organizational system of the Vietnam Journalists Association according to the Association's Charter. Promote democracy, strengthen discipline, continue to innovate the content and methods of operation through many diverse, creative and practical forms and measures. The admission and issuance of membership cards of the Vietnam Journalists Association must be strictly ensured and in accordance with the Association's Charter. Strengthen inspection and supervision work, promptly detect and strictly handle journalists who violate the law and professional ethics.

Leaders of the association at all levels coordinate with press management and direction agencies to advise on the development of mechanisms and policies to develop and manage the press and the team of journalists. Participate in the planning and training of leaders of press agencies and leaders of the association at all levels, and have mechanisms to attract experienced, professional, and managerial staff to work for the association.

Pay more attention to protecting the legitimate and legal rights of members and journalists; have appropriate and timely forms of encouragement and rewards for units and individuals with outstanding achievements in journalism and association activities, especially association organizations and members directly operating in difficult fields and areas.

Journalists and members of the Vietnam Journalists Association need to be deeply aware of their responsibilities as journalists, strive to study, cultivate, and train, constantly improve their political qualities, professional qualifications, and skills, uphold professional ethics and dedication, strengthen solidarity, and strive to contribute to building a Vietnamese revolutionary press that is combative, humane, professional, and modern, for the benefit of the country and the people.

3. The Government Party Committee shall preside over and coordinate with the Central Propaganda Department to direct relevant ministries and branches to review, amend, supplement and perfect legal regulations on the press. Focus on training and fostering press cadres; have mechanisms and policies to encourage cadres to work for the association; do a good job of appointment, reward and discipline; pay attention to protecting the legitimate rights and interests of journalists and members of the Vietnam Journalists Association.

The Party Delegation of the Vietnam Journalists Association, Party committees, Party organizations, authorities at all levels, press management and direction agencies, press agencies, and Vietnam Journalists Association at all levels are responsible for directing the study, dissemination and serious implementation of this Directive.

The Central Propaganda Department is responsible for urging and monitoring the deployment and implementation of this Directive, and periodically reporting to the Secretariat./.