On the morning of December 4, the Standing Committee of the National Assembly continued its 52nd session to review and comment on revisions to the amended Press Law.
Nguyen Dac Vinh, Chairman of the National Assembly’s Committee on Culture and Society, presented the latest adjustments and responses to feedback on the draft legislation.
Regarding the term “core multimedia media agency,” some proposed replacing it with “core press agency” or “core multimedia press and media agency.”
Vinh noted that, following consultation with lawmakers, the drafting committee agreed to revise the terminology to “core multimedia press agency” for greater accuracy and legal consistency.
The explanation report also included suggestions to pilot multimedia press conglomerates in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.
Nguyen Dac Vinh, Chairman of the National Assembly’s Committee on Culture and Society. Photo: National Assembly
On this matter, the Committee on Culture and Society confirmed that the government had directed the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (MoCST) to review the national press development plan. The ministry is expected to propose continuing several aspects of the plan and to recommend establishing core multimedia press agencies in the two major cities.
Under higher-level directives and approvals, MoCST will detail this initiative in its strategy for developing and managing the national press system, ensuring feasibility and alignment with national development goals.
For digital journalism, the drafting committee has revised legal provisions to place online news under state management similar to traditional media.
The new draft law also integrates online services to ensure integrity and traceability of all content published on national press digital platforms.
Some lawmakers proposed adding legal measures requiring cross-border platforms - such as Google, Facebook, and TikTok - to pay copyright fees and share revenue with Vietnamese news organizations. Others stressed the importance of holding platforms accountable for preventing and removing harmful, false, or misleading content.
Concerns were also raised about rampant unauthorized copying of press content on social media, which undermines authors’ rights and information transparency. It was suggested that the law include stricter provisions to protect journalistic copyrights in the digital space.
The Committee on Culture and Society clarified that, to safeguard copyright and related rights, the draft law now includes a clause mandating that any organization or individual using journalistic content must reach an agreement with the media outlet in accordance with the law.
However, content published by foreign-based platforms falls outside the scope of this draft law and is regulated by Decree 147/2024 on internet service and information management. This decree requires that such platforms remove illegal content within 24 hours of a request from Vietnamese authorities.
On the issue of "press economy," the revised law includes updates regarding public investment mechanisms, financial autonomy, and regulations on revenue from journalistic business activities.
Strong consensus on tax incentives for the press
Chairman of the National Assembly Tran Thanh Man speaking at the session. Photo: National Assembly
Speaking at the session, National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man highlighted that lawmakers’ discussions focused on media development policies, digital press regulation, press safety, licensing conditions for contributors, as well as legal definitions and status.
He emphasized the need for thoughtful, balanced revisions that are both empathetic and logically sound.
The Chairman noted that the Press Law is being updated as part of a broader administrative reform of Vietnam’s two-tier government system. “The Vietnam Fatherland Front and other mass organizations must also reorganize their press agencies,” he added.
He voiced strong support for tax incentives for press organizations under the amended Corporate Income Tax Law, which now proposes a universal 10% tax rate for all media formats - compared to the previous 10% for print media and 20% for others.
On artificial intelligence, the Chairman explained that the revised law allows journalists and media agencies to use AI tools only to assist journalistic activities. All use must comply with intellectual property rights and professional ethics. Media outlets will be responsible for setting internal guidelines for AI usage.
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