Proposal to supplement regulations on press activities in cyberspace

According to the Ministry of Information and Communications, digital technology has become the basic productive force of most fields, with the strongest and most profound influence on the field of journalism. Using digital technology to make newspapers and digitally transforming newspapers has become a matter of survival for the press, aiming to build a professional, humane, modern press, disseminate press information and orient public opinion in cyberspace, contributing to maintaining national information sovereignty in cyberspace.

However, the strong operation of press agencies in cyberspace has also led to many violations in the field of press taking place in this space, while the "management by means" approach has led to the state press management agency being unable to handle these violations.

Currently, these violations are being handled according to the provisions of the law on electronic information, not the provisions of the law on the press, although the subject of the violation is a press agency. The State's policy on press development also does not apply to press activities in cyberspace.

Current press laws do not have provisions on investing in digital tools to monitor press activities in cyberspace; at the same time, there are no regulations on press agencies having to connect online with state press management agencies, therefore, state management agencies face many difficulties in monitoring press activities in cyberspace, failing to improve the effectiveness of state press management.

Therefore, in the draft, the Ministry of Information and Communications proposes to supplement regulations on the activities of press agencies in cyberspace: Proposing principles for managing press content in cyberspace. Investing in digital tools to monitor press in cyberspace to serve press management.

Journalism in cyberspace

The Draft Law clearly states that press agencies' activities in cyberspace must comply with legal regulations on the press, legal regulations on cybersecurity, regulations on the principles and purposes of press agencies, and be consistent with international treaties to which the Socialist Republic of Vietnam is a member.

The State invests in digital tools to monitor press activities on cyberspace to serve press management; promotes the formation and development of national digital platforms for the press.

In addition to posting press content, the digital press platform also integrates online service activities in accordance with the law.

General information websites and social networks that use news/articles from press agencies must have an agreement with the press agency. The establishment of general information websites and the provision of social network services by agencies, organizations and enterprises shall comply with Government regulations.

Responsibilities of press agencies when operating in cyberspace

According to the draft, press agencies are responsible for content and copyright when posting and broadcasting information on cyberspace.

Information posted by press agencies on cyberspace must be posted and broadcast on the official system of the press agency, with content edited to suit cyberspace.

Press agencies must register/notify and connect their systems with the state press management agency when opening content channels on cyberspace.

Press agencies must connect online with the system of the state press management agency to measure information trends in cyberspace according to Government regulations.