New Press Law: "When coming to work, journalists only need to present their press card"
That is the content specified in detail in the Press Law (amended) which was just announced on the morning of April 29.
The Office of the President has just presided over the announcement of 7 laws, decrees and ordinances. Among them, the Press Law has received much public attention. With the regulation that “when coming to work, journalists only need to present their press card”, establishments/units that have “actions” that cause harassment to prevent journalists from accessing information or make it difficult for journalists to work will not be able to achieve their goals.
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| New model press card |
In practice, many reporters and journalists have been hindered and made difficult when working at some establishments. Typically, when journalists come to work, especially on negative issues, establishments often require journalists to have a letter of introduction, and if reporters have a letter of introduction, they are required to have a press card.
Notably, not long ago, in Circular 01/2014/CA of the Chief Justice of the Supreme People's Court, the Supreme People's Court included a regulation that journalists attending court sessions must have both a press card and a letter of introduction. This regulation has caused disagreement from the press and public opinion.
Not only the Court has such regulations, but even in some wards and communes of Hanoi, when journalists want to work with ward leaders, they are often asked to return to the agency to ask for a letter of introduction. Now, this will no longer happen because the law is very clear. When the Press Law comes into effect, regulations like this will no longer exist.
“Article 25. Rights and obligations of journalists 1. A journalist is a person who works in the press and is granted a press card. 2. Journalists have the following rights: a) Journalistic activities within the territory of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, journalistic activities abroad in accordance with the provisions of law and protected by law in professional activities; b) To exploit, provide and use information in press activities according to the provisions of law; c) To visit agencies and organizations to carry out journalistic activities. When coming to work, journalists only need to present their press card. Agencies and organizations are responsible for providing journalists with materials and documents that are not state secrets, personal privacy secrets and other secrets as prescribed by law; d) Be allowed to carry out journalistic activities at public trials; be assigned a separate area for work; be allowed to directly contact the litigant and participants in the proceedings to obtain news and conduct interviews in accordance with the provisions of law; d) Receive training and development to improve political qualifications and journalism skills; e) Refuse to participate in compiling or displaying journalistic works that are contrary to the provisions of law. 3. Journalists have the following obligations: a) Provide truthful information about the national and world situation in accordance with the interests of the country and the people; reflect the legitimate opinions and aspirations of the people; b) Protect the Party's viewpoints, guidelines and policies; the State's policies and laws; detect, propagate and protect positive factors; fight against wrongful thoughts and behaviors; c) Do not abuse the name of a journalist to harass or violate the law; d) Must correct and apologize in case of false information, distortion, slander, or insult to the reputation of an agency, organization, or the honor and dignity of an individual; d) Be responsible before the law and before the head of the press agency for the content of his/her press works and for any violations of the law; e) Comply with regulations on professional ethics of journalists". (Excerpt from the newly promulgated Press Law) |
According to Infonet
