The Press Law needs to ensure the professional activities of journalists.

The draft revised Press Law received many comments from National Assembly deputies during the discussion session in groups on the afternoon of November 14, related to freedom of the press, freedom of speech in the press; subjects of press establishment and prohibitions on information in the press.

Opinions also expressed support and approval for the need to amend the Press Law in the direction of absorbing the spirit of the 2013 Constitution; building press agencies, in addition to the great responsibility of being a forum and a bridge between the Party's will and the people's will, the press must also have the responsibility of building a better society and building an increasingly developed country.

Delegations of National Assembly deputies from Hai Phong city, Ca Mau province and Phu Tho province discussed in groups on the afternoon of November 14. (Photo: Doan Tan/VNA).

“The State needs to have a strict handling mechanism to ensure the right of journalists to operate. Journalism is a very difficult and risky profession, and journalism requires courage, especially in the fight against corruption,” said delegate Tran Thi Quoc Khanh when commenting on the draft revised Press Law.

Citing the reality of the requirement to regulate the protection of journalists' professional activities in this draft law, delegate Khanh emphasized that many journalists practice their responsibilities and comply with the law but are still hindered by many agencies, organizations and individuals, even having their health and lives harmed.

Commenting on regulations on prohibited content and behaviors in the press, delegate Tran Thi Quoc Khanh (Hanoi) suggested that the draft should add a clause prohibiting the publication of articles that contain violence and incite killing; limit propaganda information that promotes obscene and sexually stimulating behavior, information about killing, causing bloodshed, gruesome, savage, and brutal cases that affect social psychology and create fear among people.

In addition, according to delegate Khanh, the draft should have more specific regulations, limiting information about mystical and superstitious stories.

“The press should also not report on complaints, accusations, and disputes of unclear right or wrong because such information will unintentionally encourage violations of the law,” said delegate Tran Thi Quoc Khanh.

Supporting the regulation on freedom of speech in the press, delegate Khanh agreed with the proposal in the draft: all citizens have the right to send news, articles and photos to the press, but expressed disagreement with the regulation "without being subject to censorship by any organization or individual" on the grounds that building such a law could easily lead to the risk of taking advantage of democracy to infringe upon the rights and interests of the State and citizens, the delegate suggested.

The discussion also recorded the consensus of National Assembly delegates on amending the Press Law in the context of the explosion of too many newspapers and magazines being born, and besides articles with good quality information, there are also many articles with poor quality information, causing negative reactions in society.

Delegates also agreed to rearrange the governing bodies of press agencies in a way that still ensures State management but does not restrict press freedom./.

According to Vietnamplus