Press spokespersons must publicly provide their phone number and email address.

The government has just issued Decree 09/2017/ND-CP detailing regulations on speaking and providing information to the press by state administrative agencies.

According to the decree, the persons authorized to speak and provide information to the press for ministries, ministerial-level agencies, government agencies; general departments under ministries and ministerial-level agencies; and provincial People's Committees include: the head of the state administrative agency; the person assigned by the head of the state administrative agency to regularly speak and provide information to the press (the spokesperson); and the person responsible within the state administrative agency authorized by the head to speak (the authorized spokesperson) or assigned to coordinate with the spokesperson to speak or provide information to the press on specific assigned issues.

The need for information for the press, and through the press, to reach society, is an essential and mandatory requirement. (Illustrative image)

The full name, title, telephone number, and email address of the spokesperson must be disclosed in writing to the state agency responsible for press management and must be published on the electronic portal and website of the state administrative agency.

Individuals within state administrative agencies who are not assigned the task of speaking to and providing information to the press may provide information to the press in accordance with the law, but they are not allowed to speak to or provide information to the press in the name of the state administrative agency and are legally responsible for the content of the information provided.

According to the Decree, there are six forms of making statements and providing information to the press, including: organizing press conferences; publishing statements and information on the official electronic portal, website, or social media page of the state administrative agency; making direct statements or answering interviews with journalists and reporters; sending press releases and responses to press agencies, journalists, and reporters in writing or via email; providing information through direct exchanges or at press briefings organized by the central or local authorities when requested; and issuing written requests to press agencies to publish or broadcast responses, corrections, or apologies regarding information published in the press.

The Decree stipulates that the Minister and Head of the Government Office shall preside over and coordinate with ministries, ministerial-level agencies, government agencies, and People's Committees of provinces and centrally-administered cities to provide information to the press on a monthly basis regarding the activities and direction and management of the Government and the Prime Minister through press conferences, press releases, and publication on the Government's electronic information portal.

The Government's electronic portal is responsible for updating information in accordance with current regulations to provide timely and accurate official information to press agencies nationwide.

The decree also regulates the issuance of statements and the provision of information in sudden or unusual circumstances. The decree takes effect from March 30, 2017.

According to splendorplus