Standing Secretary of the Party Central Committee, Tran Cam Tu, has signed and issued Regulation No. 373 outlining the functions, responsibilities, and organizational structures of provincial and municipal party press, radio, and television agencies.

These local-level media agencies, which operate under provincial or municipal Party Committees, serve as official communication arms of local Party organizations, governments, and citizens. They act as a crucial information bridge between the Party, the government, and the people, delivering news and propaganda through print, digital, radio, television, and online platforms. These agencies operate as public service units and conduct media activities in accordance with the Party's directives and state laws.

According to the regulation, each provincial or municipal press and broadcast agency will be headed by one director and no more than four deputy directors.

Each agency may have up to six departmental units. However, Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City are permitted to establish up to seven departments.

Where necessary, provincial and municipal Party Standing Committees may consider and approve the establishment of additional departments or sub-agencies based on task demands and financial autonomy. This must comply with regulations and be based on formal proposals from the press and broadcast agencies themselves.

The Party Standing Committees are authorized to determine specific departmental names tailored to local conditions and requirements.

The Politburo has suggested standard names for departments, including: Office; Editorial - Secretariat; News; Special Features; Technical - Technology; Services - Advertising.

The regulation stipulates that a minimum of five personnel is required to establish a department. Departments with fewer than seven staff members may appoint a head and one deputy. Those with seven to 20 staff can have a head and up to two deputies. Departments with more than 21 staff may appoint a head and no more than three deputies.

It is also specified that during the transition period of structural reorganization, as guided by central resolutions and policies, the number of deputy leadership roles may temporarily exceed the standard limits. However, this excess must not surpass the number of deputy positions in the pre-merger entities. All adjustments must comply with the regulation within a maximum of five years.

Staffing levels of local press and broadcast agencies are to be determined by provincial and municipal Party Standing Committees. Decisions will be based on task requirements, financial autonomy, and approved staffing frameworks within the total quota assigned by competent authorities.

During the transition, the number of personnel in each agency must not exceed that of the merged entities. Staffing decisions must ensure operational effectiveness and compliance with central policy.

Based on assigned responsibilities and financial autonomy, agencies may also sign labor contracts and appoint freelance collaborators in line with applicable labor regulations.

Party Committees at provincial and municipal levels are tasked with localizing and detailing the functions, duties, and organizational structures of their press and broadcast agencies in alignment with the Politburo’s regulation and actual local conditions.

Tran Thuong