Thông tư 41/2020/TT-BTTTT

CIRCULAR

ON GUIDELINES FOR ISSUANCE OF LICENSES FOR OPERATING PRINT NEWSPAPER, PRINT MAGAZINE, ELECTRONIC NEWSPAPER OR ELECTRONIC MAGAZINE, PUBLISHING ADDITIONAL PUBLICATION, OPERATING TWO TYPES OF NEWS MEDIA, OPENING SPECIAL PAGE FOR ELECTRONIC NEWSPAPER OR ELECTRONIC MAGAZINE, PUBLISHING SUPPLEMENT, PUBLISHING PAPER NEWSLETTER AND PUBLISHING SPECIAL ISSUE

Pursuant to the Press Law dated April 05, 2016;

Pursuant to the Government’s Decree No. 17/2017/ND-CP dated February 17, 2017 on functions, duties, powers and organizational structure of the Ministry of Information and Communications;

At the request of the Director General of Authority of Press;

The Minister of Information and Communications hereby promulgates a Circular on guidelines for issuance of licenses for operating print newspaper, print magazine, electronic newspaper or electronic magazine, publishing additional publication, operating two types of news media, opening special page for electronic newspaper or electronic magazine, publishing supplement, publishing paper newsletter and publishing special issue.

Chapter I

GENERAL PROVISIONS

Article 1. Scope

This Circular provides for guidelines for issuance of licenses for operating print newspaper, print magazine, electronic newspaper or electronic magazine, publishing additional publication, operating two types of news media, opening special page for electronic newspaper or electronic magazine, publishing supplement, publishing paper newsletter and publishing special issue according to regulations in Articles 18, 20, 29, 31, 34 and 35 of the Press Law.

Article 2. License applicants

1. Entities permitted to establish a press agency according to regulations in Article 14 of the Press Law and meeting all conditions provided for in Article 17 of the Press Law may apply for licenses for operating print newspaper, print magazine, electronic newspaper or electronic magazine, publishing additional publication, operating two types of news media, opening special page for electronic newspaper or electronic magazine, and publishing supplement.

2. Regulatory bodies and organizations mentioned in Clause 3 Article 34 of the Press Law may apply for the license for publishing paper newsletter.

3. Regulatory bodies and organizations mentioned in Clause 2 Article 35 and Clause 1 Article 56 of the Press Law may apply for the license for publishing special issue.

Article 3. Competence in license issuance

1. The Minister of Information and Communications has the power to issue:

a) License for operating print newspaper;

b) License for operating print magazine;

c) License for publishing additional journalistic publication;

d) License for amending regulations written in license for operating print newspaper/ operating print magazine/ publishing additional journalistic publication;

dd) License for operating electronic newspaper;

e) License for operating electronic magazine;

g) License for amending regulations written in license for operating electronic newspaper/ electronic magazine;

h) License for operating print newspaper and electronic newspaper;

i) License for operating print magazine and electronic magazine;

k) License for amending regulations written in license for operating print newspaper and electronic newspaper or print magazine and electronic magazine;

2. The Director General of Authority of Press has the power to issue:

a) License for publishing supplement;

b) License for opening special page for electronic newspaper/ electronic magazine;

c) License for amending regulations written in license for publishing supplement/ opening special page for electronic newspaper/ opening special page for electronic magazine;

d) License for publishing paper newsletter to central regulatory bodies and organizations, foreign representative missions and foreign organizations in Vietnam;

dd) License for publishing special issue.

3. Provincial People’s Committees or heads of provincial specialized agencies may delegate the power to issue the license for publishing paper newsletter to regulatory bodies and organizations in their provinces and central-affiliated cities.

Article 4. Application receipt and assessment

1. Within 15 days starting from the date of receipt of an application, the licensing authority shall assess the application’s validity. If the application is invalid, the licensing authority shall send a written notification on application completion to the applicant.

2. Consideration period for application approval shall start from the date upon which the licensing authority receives the complete application from the applicant.

Chapter II

ISSUANCE OF LICENSES FOR OPERATING PRINT NEWSPAPER, OPERATING PRINT MAGAZINE, PUBLISHING ADDITIONAL JOURNALISTIC PUBLICATION AND PUBLISHING SUPPLEMENT

Article 5. Application and procedure for issuance of license for operating print newspaper

1. The applicant for the license for operating print newspaper shall submit 01 application to the Ministry of Information and Communications. The application includes:

a) Application for the license for operating print newspaper (made using Form No. 01);

b) Scheme for operation of the print newspaper (bearing the signature of the competent person and stamp or digital signature of the applicant) and other documents on necessity and legal grounds; proof of satisfaction of the conditions provided for in Article 17 of the Press Law; main contents and structure of the publication; and procedures for publication and content management;

c) Provisional list of personnel of the print newspaper (made using Form No. 03);

d) Curriculum vitae of the provisional chief editor (made using Form No. 04);

dd) Sample design of name of the publication verified by the applicant.

2. Within 90 days from the date of receipt of the complete and valid application, the Ministry of Information and Communications shall issue the license for operating print newspaper (using Form No. 12); if the application is rejected, a written explanation must be sent to the applicant.

Article 6. Application and procedure for issuance of license for operating print magazine

1. The applicant for the license for operating print magazine shall submit 01 application to the Ministry of Information and Communications. The application includes:

a) Application for the license for operating print magazine (made using Form No. 02);

b) Scheme for operation of the print magazine (bearing the signature of the competent person and stamp or digital signature of the applicant) and other documents on necessity and legal grounds; proof of satisfaction of the conditions provided for in Article 17 of the Press Law; main contents and structure of the publication, including details on specialized information, introduction, publication of scientific research results, consultancy and policy critique concerning areas under the applicant’s management; and procedures for publication and content management;

c) Provisional list of personnel of the print magazine (made using Form No. 03);

d) Curriculum vitae of the provisional chief editor (made using Form No. 04);

dd) Sample design of name of the print magazine verified by the applicant, in which, the magazine’s name must include the word “tạp chí” (“magazine”) in a size that is at least 1/3 of the font size of the magazine’s name;

2. Within 90 days from the date of receipt of the complete and valid application, the Ministry of Information and Communications shall issue the license for operating print magazine (using Form No. 13); if the application is rejected, a written explanation must be sent to the applicant.

Article 7. Amendment to license for operating print newspaper or print magazine

1. When a press agency wishes to change any content mentioned in Clause 1 Article 20 of the Press Law and written in its license for operating print newspaper or print magazine, it must send a written notification to Authority of Press and the authorized provincial specialized agency (for press agencies under state management of provincial People’s Committees) no later than 05 days starting from the date upon which the change takes place.

2. Upon change to any of the contents mentioned in Clause 2 Article 20 of the Press Law, the supervisory body of the press agency (hereinafter referred to as “supervisory body”) shall submit 01 application for license amendment to the Ministry of Information and Communications. The application includes:

a) Application by the supervisory body;

b) Report on assessment of application of the principles and fulfillment of the purposes written on the license of the press agency (for cases of change to principles or purposes);

c) Sample design of the press agency’s name (for cases of change to press agency’s name) or sample design of the journalistic publication’s name (for cases of change to journalistic publication’s name) verified by the supervisory body and meeting the requirements in Point dd Clause 1 Article 6 of this Circular (for print magazines).

Within 20 days from the date of receipt of the complete and valid application, the Ministry of Information and Communications shall consider and issue the license (using Form No. 14); if the application is rejected, a written explanation must be sent to the applicant.

3. Upon change to any of the contents mentioned in Clause 3 Article 20 of the Press Law, the supervisory body shall submit 01 application for license amendment to the Ministry of Information and Communications. The application includes:

a) Proposal by the supervisory body;

b) Sample design of name of the journalistic publication to be changed, which is verified by the supervisory body (for cases of change to design or location of name of the journalistic publication).

Within 20 days from the date of receipt of the complete and valid application, the Ministry of Information and Communications shall consider and approve the application in writing; if the application is rejected, a written explanation must be sent to the applicant.

Article 8. Applications and procedures for issuance of and amendment to license for publishing additional journalistic publication

1. If a press agency meeting the conditions provided for in Article 30 of the Press Law wishes to publish an additional journalistic publication, its supervisory body shall submit 01 application to the Ministry of Information and Communications. The application includes:

a) Proposal by the supervisory body;

b) Application for the license for publishing additional journalistic publication (made using Form No. 05);

c) Scheme for publication of the additional journalistic publication (bearing the signature of the competent person and stamp or digital signature of the supervisory body) and other documents on necessity and legal grounds; proof of satisfaction of the conditions provided for in Article 30 of the Press Law; main contents and structure of the additional publication, including proof of satisfaction of the requirements provided for in Point b Clause 1 Article 6 of this Circular (if the additional publication is a print magazine);

d) Sample design of name of the journalistic publication verified by the supervisory body and meeting the requirements in Point dd Clause 1 Article 6 of this Circular (if the publication is a print magazine).

Within 20 days from the date of receipt of the complete and valid application, the Ministry of Information and Communications shall issue the license for publishing additional journalistic publication (using Form No. 15); if the application is rejected, a written explanation must be sent to the applicant.

2. Amendment to contents written in the license for publishing additional journalistic publication shall be carried out in accordance with Clause 2 and Clause 3 Article 7 of this Circular.

Article 9. Applications and procedures for issuance of and amendment to license for publishing supplement

1. If a press agency meeting the conditions provided for in Article 30 of the Press Law wishes to publish a supplement, its supervisory body shall submit 01 application to Authority of Press. The application includes:

a) Proposal by the supervisory body;

b) Application for the license for publishing supplement (made using Form No. 05);

c) Scheme for publication of the supplement (bearing the signature of the competent person and stamp or digital signature of the supervisory body) and other documents on necessity and legal grounds; proof of satisfaction of the conditions provided for in Article 30 of the Press Law; and main contents and structure of the supplement;

d) Sample design of name of the supplement verified by the supervisory body.

Within 20 days from the date of receipt of the complete and valid application, Authority of Press shall issue the license for publishing supplement (using Form No. 16); if the application is rejected, a written explanation must be sent to the applicant.

2. Upon change to any of the contents mentioned in Clause 2 Article 20 of the Press Law, the supervisory body shall submit 01 application for license amendment to Authority of Press. The application includes:

a) Proposal by the supervisory body;

b) Report on assessment of application of the principles and fulfillment of the purposes written on the license of the supplement (for cases of change to principles or purposes);

c) Sample design of name of the supplement verified by the supervisory body (for cases of change to name of the supplement).

Within 20 days from the date of receipt of the complete and valid application, Authority of Press shall consider and issue the license (using Form No. 21); if the application is rejected, a written explanation must be sent to the applicant.

3. Upon change to any of the contents mentioned in Clause 3 Article 20 of the Press Law, the supervisory body shall submit 01 application for amendment to Authority of Press. The application includes:

a) Proposal by the supervisory body;

b) Sample design of name of the supplement to be changed, which is verified by the supervisory body (for cases of change to design or location of name of the supplement).

Within 20 days from the date of receipt of the complete and valid application, Authority of Press shall consider and approve the application in writing; if the application is rejected, a written explanation must be sent to the applicant.

Chapter III

ISSUANCE OF LICENSES FOR OPERATING ELECTRONIC NEWSPAPER, OPERATING ELECTRONIC MAGAZINE, AND OPENING SPECIAL PAGE FOR ELECTRONIC NEWSPAPER OR ELECTRONIC MAGAZINE

Article 10. Application and procedure for issuance of license for operating electronic newspaper

1. The applicant for the license for operating electronic newspapers shall submit 01 application to the Ministry of Information and Communications. The application includes:

a) Application for the license for operating electronic newspapers (made using Form No. 06);

b) Scheme for operation of the electronic newspaper (bearing the signature of the competent person and stamp or digital signature of the applicant) and other documents on necessity and legal grounds; proof of satisfaction of the conditions provided for in Article 17 of the Press Law; main contents and structures of special pages and columns of the electronic newspaper and columns of special pages; domain name suiting the electronic newspaper’s name; ownership of domain name with at least 06 months of validity starting from the time of license application; and procedures for publication and content management;

c) Provisional list of personnel of the electronic newspaper (made using Form No. 03);

d) Curriculum vitae of the provisional chief editor (made using Form No. 04);

dd) Sample layout of homepage of the electronic newspaper must display the information required according to Article 46 of the Press Law and be verified by the applicant.

Sample layout of homepage of the special page must be verified by the applicant. The homepage of the special page must display the information required according to Article 46 of the Press Law, in which, the special page’s name must include the word “chuyên trang” (“special page”) in a size that is at least 1/2 of the font size of the special page’s name, and the font size of the electronic newspaper’s name must be at least half of the font size of the special page’s name.

2. Within 90 days starting from the date of receipt of the complete and valid application, the Ministry of Information and Communications shall issue the license for operating electronic newspaper (using Form No. 17); if the application is rejected, a written explanation must be sent to the applicant.

Article 11. Application and procedure for issuance of license for operating electronic magazine

1. The applicant for the license for operating electronic magazine shall submit 01 application to the Ministry of Information and Communications. The application includes:

a) Application for the license for operating electronic magazine (made using Form No. 07);

b) Scheme for operation of the electronic magazine (bearing the signature of the competent person and stamp or digital signature of the applicant) and other documents on necessity and legal grounds; proof of satisfaction of the conditions provided for in Article 17 of the Press Law; main contents and structures of special pages and columns of the electronic magazine and columns of special pages, including details on specialized information, introduction, publication of scientific research results, consultancy and policy critique concerning areas under the applicant’s management; domain name suiting the electronic magazine’s name; ownership of domain name with at least 06 months of validity starting from the time of license application; and procedures for publication and content management;

c) Provisional list of personnel of the electronic magazine (made using Form No. 03);

d) Curriculum vitae of the provisional chief editor (made using Form No. 04);

dd) Sample layout of homepage of the electronic magazine must be verified by the applicant. The homepage of the electronic magazine must display the information required according to Article 46 of the Press Law, in which, the magazine’s name must include the word “tạp chí” (“magazine”) or phrase “tạp chí điện tử” (“electronic magazine”) in a size that is at least 1/2 of the font size of the magazine’s name;

Sample layout of homepage of the special page must be verified by the applicant. The homepage of the special page must display the information required according to Article 46 of the Press Law, in which, the special page’s name must include the word “chuyên trang” (“special page”) in a size that is at least 1/2 of the font size of the special page’s name, and the font size of the electronic newspaper’s name must be at least half of the font size of the special page’s name.

2. Within 90 days from the date of receipt of the complete and valid application, the Ministry of Information and Communications shall issue the license for operating electronic magazine (using Form No. 18); if the application is rejected, a written explanation must be sent to the applicant.

Article 12. Amendment to license for operating electronic newspaper or electronic magazine

1. When a press agency wishes to change any content mentioned in Clause 1 Article 20 of the Press Law and written in its license for operating electronic newspaper or electronic magazine, it must send a written notification to Authority of Press and the authorized provincial specialized agency (for press agencies under state management of provincial People’s Committees) no later than 05 days starting from the date upon which the change takes place.

2. Upon change to any of the contents mentioned in Clause 2 Article 20 of the Press Law, the supervisory body shall submit 01 application for license amendment to the Ministry of Information and Communications. The application includes:

a) Proposal by the supervisory body, which consists of a domain name suiting the electronic newspaper’s name and ownership of domain name with at least 06 months of validity starting from the time of license application (for cases of change to domain name);

b) Report on assessment of application of the principles and fulfillment of the purposes written on the license of the press agency (for cases of change to principles or purposes);

c) Sample design of the press agency’s name verified by the supervisory body (for cases of change to press agency’s name) and meeting the requirements in Point dd Clause 1 Article 11 of this Circular (for electronic magazines);

d) Sample design of name of the special page of the electronic newspaper or electronic magazine verified by the supervisory body (for cases of change to name of special page of electronic newspaper or electronic magazine) and meeting the requirements in Point dd Clause 1 Article 10 of this Circular (for special pages of electronic newspapers) or Points dd Clause 1 Article 11 of this Circular (for special pages of electronic magazines);

Within 20 days from the date of receipt of the complete and valid application, the Ministry of Information and Communications shall consider and issue the license (using Form No. 19); if the application is rejected, a written explanation must be sent to the applicant.

3. Upon change to any of the contents mentioned in Clause 3 Article 20 of the Press Law, the supervisory body shall submit 01 application for license amendment to the Ministry of Information and Communications. The application includes:

a) Proposal by the supervisory body;

b) Sample design of name of the press agency or special page to be changed, which is verified by the supervisory body (for cases of change to design or location of name of the press agency or special page);

c) Sample layout of homepage of the electronic newspaper, electronic magazine or special page to be changed, which is verified by the supervisory body (for cases of change to layout of homepage of the electronic newspaper, electronic magazine or special page).

Within 20 days from the date of receipt of the complete and valid application, the Ministry of Information and Communications shall consider and approve the application in writing; if the application is rejected, a written explanation must be sent to the applicant.

Article 13. Applications and procedures for issuance of and amendment to license for opening special page for electronic newspaper or electronic magazine

1. If a press agency meeting the conditions provided for in Article 30 of the Press Law wishes to open a special page for its electronic newspaper or electronic magazine, its supervisory body shall submit 01 application to Authority of Press. The application includes:

a) Proposal by the supervisory body;

b) Application for license for opening special page for electronic newspaper or electronic magazine (made using Form No. 08);

c) Scheme for operation of the special page of the electronic newspaper or electronic magazine (bearing the signature of the competent person and stamp or digital signature of the supervisory body) and other documents on necessity and legal grounds; proof of satisfaction of the conditions provided for in Article 30 of the Press Law; main contents and structures of special pages (for special pages of electronic magazines: details on specialized information, introduction, publication of scientific research results, consultancy and policy critique concerning areas under the management of the supervisory body); and procedures for publication and content management;

d) Sample layout of homepage of the special page must be verified by the supervisory body. The homepage of the special page must display the information required according to Article 46 of the Press Law, in which, the special page’s name must include the word “chuyên trang” (“special page”) in a size that is at least 1/2 of the font size of the special page’s name, and the font size of the name of the electronic newspaper or electronic magazine must be at least half of the font size of the special page’s name.

Within 30 days from the date of receipt of the complete and valid application, Authority of Press shall issue the license for opening special page for electronic newspaper or electronic magazine (using Form No. 20); if the application is rejected, a written explanation must be sent to the applicant.

2. Upon change to any of the contents mentioned in Clause 2 Article 20 of the Press Law, the supervisory body shall submit 01 application for license amendment to Authority of Press. The application includes:

a) Proposal by the supervisory body;

b) Report on assessment of application of the principles and fulfillment of the purposes written on the license of the special page (for cases of change to principles or purposes);

c) Sample design of the special page’s name verified by the supervisory body and meeting the requirements in Point d Clause 1 of this Article (for cases of change to name of special page);

Within 20 days from the date of receipt of the complete and valid application, Authority of Press shall consider and issue the license (using Form No. 21); if the application is rejected, a written explanation must be sent to the applicant.

3. Upon change to any of the contents mentioned in Clause 3 Article 20 of the Press Law, the supervisory body shall submit 01 application for amendment to Authority of Press. The application includes:

a) Proposal by the supervisory body;

b) Sample design of name of the special page to be changed, which is verified by the supervisory body (for cases of change to design or location of name of the special page);

c) Sample layout of homepage of the special page to be changed, which is verified by the supervisory body (for cases of change to layout of homepage of the special page).

Within 20 days from the date of receipt of the complete and valid application, Authority of Press shall consider and approve the application in writing; if the application is rejected, a written explanation must be sent to the applicant.

Chapter IV

ISSUANCE OF LICENSE FOR OPERATING TWO TYPES OF NEWS MEDIA

Article 14. Entities eligible for application for license for operating two types of news media

1. Entities which are mentioned in Clause 1 Article 2 of this Circular and wish to operate any of the following pairs of news media types:

a) Print newspaper and electronic newspaper;

b) Print magazine and electronic magazine.

2. Press agencies operating two types of news media the license for one or both of which is due to expire shortly and wishing to continue to engage in press activities.

3. Press agencies which are operating one type of news media and wish to operate another type of news media as follows:

a) Operate electronic newspaper in addition to print newspaper;

b) Operate electronic magazine in addition to print magazine;

c) Operate print newspaper in addition to electronic newspaper;

dd) Operate print magazine in addition to electronic magazine.

Article 15. Application and procedure for issuance of license for operating two types of news media

1. The applicant for the license for operating two types of new media shall submit 01 application to the Ministry of Information and Communications. The application includes:

a) Application for license for operating two types of news media (made using Form No. 09);

b) Scheme for operation (bearing signature of the competent person and stamp or digital signature of the applicant), which comprises contents of the scheme provided for in Point b Clause 1 Article 5 and the scheme provided for in Point b Clause 1 Article 10 herein (for press agencies operating print newspaper and electronic newspaper) and other documents;

Scheme for operation (bearing signature of the competent person and stamp or digital signature of the applicant), which comprises contents of the scheme provided for in Point b Clause 1 Article 6 and the scheme provided for in Point b Clause 1 Article 11 herein (for press agencies operating print magazine and electronic magazine) and other documents;

c) Provisional list of personnel of the press agency operating print newspaper and electronic newspaper or print magazine and electronic magazine (made using Form No. 03);

d) Curriculum vitae of the provisional chief editor (made using Form No. 04);

dd) Sample design of name of the print newspaper according to regulations in Point dd Clause 1 Article 5 and sample layout of homepage of the electronic newspaper according to regulations in Point dd Clause 1 Article 10 herein, which are verified by the applicant (for press agencies operating print newspaper and electronic newspaper).

Sample design of name of the print magazine according to regulations in Point dd Clause 1 Article 6 and sample layout of homepage of the electronic magazine according to regulations in Point dd Clause 1 Article 11 herein, which are verified by the applicant (for press agencies operating print magazine and electronic magazine).

2. Within 90 days from the date of receipt of the complete and valid application, the Ministry of Information and Communications shall issue the license for operating print newspaper and electronic newspaper (using Form No. 22) or license for operating print magazine and electronic magazine (using Form No. 23); if the application is rejected, a written explanation must be sent to the applicant.

Article 16. Applications and procedures for issuance of license to press agencies operating two types of news media the license for one or both of which is due to expire shortly and issuance of license to press agencies wishing to operate another type of news media

1. When a press agency operating two types of news media the license for one or both of which is due to expire shortly wishes to continue to engage in press activities or a press agency operating one type of news media and meeting the conditions provided for in Article 17 of the Press Law wishes to operate another type of news media, its supervisory body shall submit 01 application to the Ministry of Information and Communications. The application shall comprise the documents mentioned in Clause 1 Article 15 of this Circular.

2. Within 90 days from the date of receipt of the complete and valid application, the Ministry of Information and Communications shall issue the license for operating print newspaper and electronic newspaper (using Form No. 22) or license for operating print magazine and electronic magazine (using Form No. 23); if the application is rejected, a written explanation must be sent to the applicant.

Article 17. Amendment to license for operating two types of news media

1. Press agencies shall make change to any content mentioned in Clause 1 Article 20 of the Press Law concerning their print newspapers and/or print magazines in their licenses for operating two types of news media according to regulations in Clause 1 Article 7 of this Circular.

Press agencies shall make change to any content mentioned in Clause 1 Article 20 of the Press Law concerning their electronic newspapers and/or electronic magazines in their licenses for operating two types of news media according to regulations in Clause 1 Article 12 of this Circular.

2. Upon change to any content mentioned in Clause 2 Article 20 of the Press Law concerning a print newspaper or print magazine in the license for operating two types of news media, the supervisory body shall submit 01 application for license amendment to the Ministry of Information and Communications. The application shall comprise the documents mentioned in Clause 2 Article 7 of this Circular.

Upon change to any content mentioned in Clause 2 Article 20 of the Press Law concerning an electronic newspaper or electronic magazine in the license for operating two types of news media, the supervisory body shall submit 01 application for license amendment to the Ministry of Information and Communications. The application shall comprise the documents mentioned in Clause 2 Article 12 of this Circular.

Within 20 days from the date of receipt of the complete and valid application, the Ministry of Information and Communications shall consider and issue the license (using Form No. 24); if the application is rejected, a written explanation must be sent to the applicant.

3. Press agencies shall make change to any content mentioned in Clause 3 Article 20 of the Press Law concerning their print newspapers and/or print magazines in their licenses for operating two types of news media according to regulations in Clause 3 Article 7 of this Circular.

Press agencies shall make change to any content mentioned in Clause 3 Article 20 of the Press Law concerning their electronic newspapers and/or electronic magazines in their licenses for operating two types of news media according to regulations in Clause 3 Article 12 of this Circular.

Chapter V

PUBLICATION OF PAPER NEWSLETTERS AND PUBLICATION OF SPECIAL ISSUES

Article 18. Application and procedure for issuance of license for publishing paper newsletter

1. Regulatory bodies and organizations wishing to publish a paper newsletter shall submit 01 application to Authority of Press (for central regulatory bodies and organizations; foreign representative missions and foreign organizations in Vietnam) or provincial People’s Committees or authorized provincial specialized agencies (for regulatory bodies and organizations in provinces and central-affiliated cities). The application includes:

a) Application for license for publishing paper newsletter (made using Form No. 10);

b) Certified true copy or legally valid electronic copy or copy submitted together with the authentic copy for comparison of establishment decision, establishment license, enterprise registration certificate or other equivalent documents (for foreign organizations in Vietnam);

c) Curriculum vitae of person in charge of publication of the paper newsletter;

d) Sample design of name of the paper newsletter verified by the applicant and notarized Vietnamese translation (for names in foreign languages).

2. Within 20 days from the date of receipt of the complete and valid application, Authority of Press, provincial People’s Committees or authorized provincial specialized agencies shall issue the license for publishing paper newsletter (using Form No. 25 or 26); if the application is rejected, a written explanation must be sent to the applicant.

Article 19. Amendment to license for publishing paper newsletter

1. Regulatory bodies and organizations wishing to make change to any content written in their licenses for publishing paper newsletter shall submit 01 application to Authority of Press, provincial People’s Committees or provincial specialized agencies authorized to permit changes. The application includes:

a) Application by the applicant;

b) Curriculum vitae of person in charge of publication of the paper newsletter (for cases of change of person in charge of publication of paper newsletter);

c) Sample design of name of the paper newsletter verified by the applicant and notarized Vietnamese translation (for cases of change to a paper newsletter’s name in a foreign language).

2. Within 15 days from the date of receipt of the complete and valid application, Authority of Press, provincial People’s Committees or authorized provincial specialized agencies shall consider and approve the application in writing; if the application is rejected, a written explanation must be sent to the applicant.

Article 20. Application and procedure for issuance of license for publishing special issue

1. Any regulatory body or organization wishing to publish a special issue shall submit 01 application to Authority of Press. The application includes:

a) Application for license for publishing special issue (made using Form No. 11);

b) Certified true copy or legally valid electronic copy or copy submitted together with the authentic copy for comparison of establishment decision, establishment license, enterprise registration certificate or other equivalent documents (for foreign organizations in Vietnam);

c) Curriculum vitae of person in charge of publication of the special issue;

d) Sample design of name of the special issue verified by the applicant and notarized Vietnamese translation (for names in foreign languages).

2. Within 20 days from the date of receipt of the complete and valid application, Authority of Press shall issue the license for publishing special issue (using Form No. 27); if the application is rejected, a written explanation must be sent to the applicant.

Article 21. Amendment to license for publishing special issue

1. Any regulatory body or organization wishing to make change to any content written in its license for publishing special issue shall submit 01 application to Authority of Press. The application includes:

a) Application by the applicant;

b) Curriculum vitae of person in charge of publication of the special issue (for cases of change of person in charge of publication of special issue);

c) Sample design of name of the special issue verified by the applicant and notarized Vietnamese translation (for change to names in foreign languages).

2. Within 15 days from the date of receipt of the complete and valid application, Authority of Press shall consider and approve the application in writing; if the application is rejected, a written explanation must be sent to the applicant.

Chapter VI

IMPLEMENTATION CLAUSE

Article 22. Form promulgation

Promulgated together with this Circular are the following forms:

1. Form No. 01: Application for license for operating print newspaper.

2. Form No. 02: Application for license for operating print magazine.

3. Form No. 03: Provisional list of personnel of print newspaper/ print magazine/ electronic newspaper/ electronic magazine.

4. Form No. 04: Curriculum vitae of provisional chief editor of print newspaper/ print magazine/ electronic newspaper/ electronic magazine.

5. Form No. 05: Application for license for publishing additional journalistic publication/ supplement.

6. Form No. 06: Application for license for operating electronic newspaper.

7. Form No. 07: Application for license for operating electronic magazine.

8. Form No. 08: Application for license for opening special page for electronic newspaper/ electronic magazine.

9. Form No. 09: Application for license for operating two types of news media.

10. Form No. 10: Application for license for publishing paper newsletter.

11. Form No. 11: Application for license for publishing special issue.

12. Form No. 12: License for operating print newspaper.

13. Form No. 13: License for operating print magazine.

14. Form No. 14: License for amending regulations written in license for operating print newspaper/ operating print magazine/ publishing additional journalistic publication.

15. Form No. 15: License for publishing additional journalistic publication.

16. Form No. 16: License for publishing supplement.

17. Form No. 17: License for operating electronic newspaper.

18. Form No. 18: License for operating electronic magazine.

19. Form No. 19: License for amending regulations written in license for operating electronic newspaper/ electronic magazine.

20. Form No. 20: License for opening special page for electronic newspaper/ electronic magazine.

21. Form No. 21: License for amending regulations written in license for publishing supplement/ opening special page for electronic newspaper/ opening special page for electronic magazine.

22. Form No. 22: License for operating print newspaper and electronic newspaper.

23. Form No. 23: License for operating print magazine and electronic magazine.

24. Form No. 24: License for amending regulations written in license for operating print newspaper and electronic newspaper/ print magazine and electronic magazine.

25. Form No. 25: License for publishing paper newsletter (issued by Authority of Press).

26. Form No. 26: License for publishing paper newsletter (issued by provincial People’s Committees/ authorized provincial specialized agencies).

27. Form No. 27: License for publishing special issue.

Article 23. Transitional clause

The Ministry of Information and Communications shall reissue licenses to press agencies according to regulations in the national planning for press development and management by 2025; applications and procedures for such reissuance are provided for in Articles 5, 6, 10, 11, 15 and 16 of this Circular.

Article 24. Effect

1. This Circular comes into force from February 15, 2021.

2. This Circular supersedes Circular No. 48/2016/TT-BTTTT dated December 26, 2016 by the Minister of Information and Communications on guidelines for issuance of licenses for operating print newspaper, operating electronic newspaper, publishing additional publication, opening special page for electronic newspaper, publishing supplement, publishing paper newsletter and publishing special issue./.