Ho Chi Minh City requires the public disclosure of spokespersons and the provision of information to the press.

The Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee has just requested all departments, agencies, and localities to seriously implement Directive 25 of the Standing Committee of the Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee on strengthening the work of spokesperson and providing information to the press.

Agencies, units, and localities are required to urgently develop and issue internal regulations on speaking to and providing information to the press, ensuring compliance with current regulations and practical requirements. After issuance, units must strictly implement these regulations, creating favorable conditions for the press to operate, contributing to increased transparency and meeting the public's need for access to official information.

The Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee also requested that units proactively send officials assigned to spokesperson duties to participate in training courses on journalism, improving their skills in interacting with, behaving towards, and responding to the press.

PHOTO: NGUYEN VU

The Department of Culture and Sports is responsible for coordinating and strengthening the dissemination and education of laws on journalism; raising awareness and responsibility of agencies and units in implementing regulations on speaking to and providing information to the press, and ensuring the legitimate right to journalistic activities.

Another task is to publish, publicly announce, and update the list of spokespersons for the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee, its departments, inspectorates, and the People's Committees of wards, communes, and special zones whenever there are changes. Publicizing the list of spokespersons aims to facilitate contact and official information from competent authorities for press agencies, journalists, and reporters.

Respond to the press within 24 hours on important issues.

The Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee has also recently issued regulations on speaking to and providing information to the press, clearly defining the responsibilities, authority, forms, and procedures for speaking to and providing information.

According to regulations, the Chairman of the People's Committee of Ho Chi Minh City is the spokesperson for the People's Committee of Ho Chi Minh City. The Chief of the Office of the People's Committee of Ho Chi Minh City is assigned by the Chairman of the People's Committee of Ho Chi Minh City to be the regular spokesperson. In addition, responsible individuals within the People's Committee of Ho Chi Minh City may be authorized to speak on specific assigned issues.

Providing statements and information to the press is done through various forms such as in-person or online press conferences; posting statements on the Ho Chi Minh City electronic information portal; making direct statements and giving interviews; sending press releases, documents, or emails; and directly exchanging information at press briefings.

PHOTO: SY DONG

The Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee provides monthly updates to the press and publishes them on the city's electronic information portal. The city also holds press conferences at least once every three months to provide information to the media.

When an event occurs that significantly impacts society, within 24 hours at the latest from the time the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee receives and handles the case within its authority, the spokesperson must make a statement and provide initial information to the press.

Similarly, when public opinion is divided on issues falling under the jurisdiction of the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee and the matter is determined to have or potentially have an impact on public opinion, the spokesperson must also provide initial information within 24 hours.