Government Decree 244/2026, effective from 1/7, outlines new regulations for state administrative agencies regarding statements and information provision to the press.

According to the decree, ministries, ministerial-level agencies, provincial-level People's Committees (UBND), along with their subordinate departments, inspectorates, sub-departments, and communal-level People's Committees (UBND), must provide information to the press. This includes details on their operations, task performance results, and issues of public interest within their respective sectors and localities.

Information can be provided through various channels: press conferences, interviews, press releases, written documents, or emails. Agencies can also publish information on their official portals, electronic information pages, social networks, and digital platforms, or share it during press briefings. For ministries, ministerial-level agencies, and provincial-level People's Committees (UBND), information must be updated monthly on official channels, and press conferences must be organized at least once per quarter.

Spokespersons are required to respond or provide information when requested by media agencies, press steering agencies, or state management agencies for the press. This applies to events and issues within their management scope that have been reported by the media.

Representatives of ministries and sectors respond at the government press conference in 6/2026. *Photo: VGP*

For important events or issues with major social impact, spokespersons must provide initial information to the press within 24 hours of the agency receiving and addressing the incident. If public opinion shows differing views on an issue under an agency's management, the 24-hour deadline begins when the agency determines the incident impacts or risks impacting public opinion.

In cases of national incidents related to national defense, national security, social order and safety, or public health, the Prime Minister or the Government spokesperson must issue a statement immediately after the incident occurs. They must also regularly update information throughout the handling process. If an incident involves two or more ministries, sectors, or localities, the agency assigned by the Government to lead must coordinate content with relevant units before providing information to the press.

The decree also stipulates that the head of a state administrative agency bears final responsibility for the agency's statements and information provision. This responsibility holds even when tasks are delegated or authority is granted to others. The head must issue the agency's statement regulations and direct the preparation of comprehensive, consistent, and timely information. If there is a delay in issuing statements, avoidance of providing information, or inconsistent information, the head will be held responsible.

Regarding media agencies, the decree requires that information provided by spokespersons be published or broadcast truthfully, objectively, and completely. It must also clearly state the spokesperson's full name and the name of the state administrative agency. If the content provided by the spokesperson is published accurately, the media agency is not responsible for that information. However, if inaccurate or untrue information is published, the media agency must publish the spokesperson's feedback, issue a correction, and an apology.

Son Ha