The completion of a legal framework for media and communications in Vietnam is necessary in order to create favourable conditions for the development of the media under the law.

Director of the International Cooperation Department under the Ministry of Justice Nguyen Huy Ngat stressed this at a seminar on the subject held in Hanoi on April 15 to announce the results of a survey on legal frameworks for media and communications undertaken in France , Belgum and the Netherlands .

Ngat said the legal framework will define the concept of social responsibility and the duties of media agencies and reporters. The completion of a legal framework in this area must ensure that the media is under State management and bound to adhere to the law. The development of the media must go hand in hand with good management.

The framework must secure the stability of media operations and allow for newly-emerging issues and future developments which are not covered by the current Press Law. It must amend the vague and simplistic regulations of the current law and help boost international cooperation to create favourable conditions for journalists, reporters and media management agencies to exchange experiences.

Meanwhile, Deputy Head of the Press Department under the Ministry of Information and Communications Vu Thanh Son touched on issues related to building the new Press Law, such as the management and operation of e-newspapers and the financing of media agencies to decrease their dependence on the State budget.

He also stressed the need to define the responsibilities of agencies, organisations and individuals in providing information to the media to secure exact and clear information under the law./.