31 October 1999 Subscription 33 (5/1999) Article 2 Guarantee of freedom of the media and freedom of speech through the media. The State shall create favourable conditions for the media to develop its proper role and for citizens to exercise their rights in relation to freedom of the media and freedom of speech through the media. The media and journalists shall operate within the legal framework and be protected by the State; no organization or individual is permitted to limit or obstruct the operation of the media or journalists. No one shall be permitted to abuse the rights of freedom of the media or freedom of speech of citizens through the media, where to do so would violate the interests of the State, collectives or citizens. The media shall not be subjected to censorship prior to printing or broadcasting. Article 3 Types of media. The media as referred to in this Law means the Vietnamese media, including printed media (newspapers, magazines, current affairs news, news bulletins from news agencies); audio media (radio programs); visual media (television programs, audio and visual programs on current events made by various technical means); electronic media (by way of the computer information network), in the Vietnamese language, in languages of minority ethnic groups of Vietnam or in foreign languages. CHAPTER II Rights to Freedom of the Media and Freedom of Speech of Citizens through the Media Article 4 Rights to freedom of the media and freedom of speech of citizens through the media. Citizens shall have the following rights: 1. To be informed through the media of all aspects of domestic and world current affairs; 2. To contact and provide information to media organizations and journalists; to send news, articles, photographs, and other work to the media without being subjected to censorship by any organization or individual, and to be responsible before the law for the content of information provided; 3. To express opinions on domestic and world current affairs; 4. To express constructive opinions on how the aims, objectives and policies of the Party and the laws of the State should be implemented; © Ministry of Planning and Investment and Allens Arthur Robinson XV-12