They agreed that there should be income tax regulations for media organisations as well as definition of their duties and responsibilities towards those of advertising and communication agencies.

The representatives from media agencies throughout Vietnam are in the capital to review the Press Law since it came into effect eight years ago and discuss measures to better serve the work of journalists.

During the meeting, Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Thien Nhan asked Vietnam 's media representatives to focus discussions on how to improve the qualifications of journalists and media managers.

They should also concentrate facilitating the operation and development of a new media, Mr. Nhan stressed.

The representatives said the media had fulfilled its role in communicating State and
Party policies, guiding public opinions and meeting people's need for cultural activities and entertainment.

But malpractice among individual journalists and media organisations through the publication of fabrications and false information, especially in crime reporting, as well as violations of the Press Law and people's rights to privacy were acknowledged.

There had also been sentimental and advertising stories published for commercial purposes that protected neither the people nor consumers.

Among some reasons cited by representatives in lack of proper management as the media have developed vigorously during the past decade of economic reform and global integration for the lapses.

Vietnam has about 15,000 press-card carrying journalists who work for 702 print, broadcast and on-line media agencies from the central to grassroots levels.