According to the Government's proposal, the bill comprises four chapters with 50 articles, a reduction of two chapters and 11 articles compared to the 2016 Press Law
The draft introduces key principles on press operation models, media economics, and the expansion of press activity to meet information and communication demands in the new era, while ensuring streamlined organisation within the political system.
A notable addition is the definition of a core multimedia communication agency — a press organisation encompassing multiple media types and subordinate outlets, granted a special financial mechanism under Government regulation. Their activities must align with the national master plan for press, broadcasting, electronic information, and publishing networks approved by the Prime Minister.
The draft also introduces provisions on press activities in cyberspace, requiring compliance with press law, cybersecurity law, and relevant international commitments.
As the verification agency for the bill, the NA Committee for Cultural-Social Affairs agreed on the need to revise the Press Law, as well as its scope and coverage.
Chairman of the committee Nguyen Dac Vinh noted the lack of a definition for “media economics” and the need for a comprehensive policy framework to address current challenges in press financing, autonomy, and public investment.
Addressing the discussion, NA Chairman Tran Thanh Man emphasised the need to ensure consistency and feasibility across related legal frameworks — particularly laws on cybersecurity, corporate income tax, and intellectual property, and regulations on public service units. He urged the draft to include mechanisms to strengthen revolutionary journalism, increase its presence on social media, and safeguard the country’s information sovereignty in the digital space.
On the financial mechanism, he requested careful review to ensure robust foundations for press economics and detailed guidance to facilitate implementation.
He stressed that media operations online must strictly protect national information security and sovereignty.
Representing the NA Standing Committee, NA Vice Chairman Nguyen Thi Thanh pointed to the need to further complete regulations on particular matters, including support policies for press development, criteria for a key multimedia communication agency, online journalism, and copyright.
