Contents
Article 3 Scope of Application
Article 4 International Cooperation
Chapter 2: Press Activities of Foreign Mass Media
Article 6 Foreign Journalists Accompanying a Foreign Delegation
Article 7 Foreign Journalists Working in Laos
Article 8 Establishing Foreign Mass Media Offices in Laos
Article 9 Application Form for Establishing an Office
Article 11 Appointing Personnel to Agency
Chapter 3: Rights, Duties, and Obligations of Foreign Mass Media Agencies and Foreign Journalists
Article 13 Rights and Duties of the Foreign Mass Media Agency Office and Foreign Journalists
Article 14 Obligations of Foreign Mass Media Agency Offices and Foreign Journalists
Chapter 4: Status Modification and Dissolution of Foreign Mass Media Agency Offices
Article 15 Status Modification of a Foreign Mass Media Agency Office
Article 16 Dissolution of Foreign Mass Media Agency Office
Article 17 Creating Mass Media Products
Article 18 Disseminating Mass Media Products
Article 19 Foreign Electronic Media
Chapter 6: Responsibilities for Foreign Mass Media
Article 20 Responsibilities of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Article 21 Responsibilities of the Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism
Article 22 Responsibilities of Local Sectoral and Local Administrative Agencies
Lao People’s Democratic Republic
Peace Independence Democracy Unity Prosperity
-------------------------------
The Government | No.: 377/GOV |
Vientiane Capital, 24 November 2015 |
On the Press Activities of Foreign Mass Media Agencies,
Foreign Diplomatic Missions, and International Organizations in the Lao PDR
- Pursuant to the Amended Law on Government of the Lao PDR No. 02/NA. dated 06 May 2003;
- Pursuant to the Law on Mass Media No. 01/NA, dated 25 July 2008;
- Pursuant to the Resolution of the Ordinary Cabinet Meeting for July 2015 No. 07/GOV, dated 10 August 2015;
- Pursuant to Proposal Letter No. 1440/MOFA. Dpt. of Press. 3, dated 07 October 2015 Ministry of Foreign Affairs
The Government hereby issues a Decree:
General Provisions
This Decree determines principles, procedures, and measures for the management, monitoring, and inspection of the press activities of foreign mass media, foreign diplomatic missions, and international organizations in the Lao PDR to facilitate their effective operation, to ensure their compliance with laws and procedures of the Lao PDR, to contribute to socio-economic development, and to further promote foreign cooperation .
Article 2 Press Activities of Foreign Mass Media, Foreign Diplomatic Missions, and International Organizations in the Lao PDR
Press activities of foreign mass media, foreign diplomatic missions, and international organizations in the Lao PDR refers to press operations of foreign mass media in the form of print media, electronic media, mass media products (including their dissemination), and mass media activities operations in the Lao PDR.
Article 3 Scope of Application
This Decree applies to foreign mass media, foreign diplomatic missions, and international organizations, including their personnel, which carry out press activities in the Lao PDR.
Article 4 International Cooperation
The Government promotes mass media relations and cooperation with foreign countries, regional and international, on the basis of respect for mutual independence and benefits in compliance with treaties and international agreements to which the Lao PDR is a party
Press Activities of Foreign Mass Media
Foreign mass media may engage in press activities by sending their journalists to cover news and establishing their offices in the Lao PDR.
Article 6 Foreign Journalists Accompanying a Foreign Delegation
Foreign journalists who wish to accompany a particular foreign delegation to work in Laos must inform the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Laos by providing a list of the names of journalists, their equipment, and additional work plans (if any) at least three official days before entering Laos for proper consideration and facilitation.
Article 7 Foreign Journalists Working in Laos
Foreign journalists employed by foreign media agencies that do not reside in Laos and wish to visit Laos for their assignment must request permission from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Lao PDR at least15 official days before entering Laos.
The following documents are required to request permission:
Article 8 Establishing Foreign Mass Media Offices in Laos
Foreign mass media agencies who wish to establish offices in Laos must send a proposal letter to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Laos for the Government’s consideration and approval.
Establishing a foreign mass media office requires the qualifications listed below:
Article 9 Application Form for Establishing an Office
Documentation for applying to establish a foreign mass media office comprises:
After receiving permission from the government to establish an office, the foreign mass media agency must send a representative to introduce himself or herself to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Laos at least two months before opening the office.
A foreign mass media agency whose establishment is permitted in Laos will not be regarded as a legal entity separated from the category of foreign mass media agencies.
Article 11 Appointing Personnel to Agency
Below are the details for appointing personnel in foreign mass media agencies:
Journalists who wish to visit Laos for a short assignment or work in foreign mass media agencies in the Lao PDR must apply for a journalist visa (M-B2) at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Lao PDR and must have the following documents:
Rights, Duties, and Obligations of Foreign Mass Media
Agencies and Foreign Journalists
Article 13 Rights and Duties of the Foreign Mass Media Agency Office and Foreign Journalists
A foreign mass media agency office and foreign journalists have the rights and duties to carry out press activities in the Lao PDR as follows:
Article 14 Obligations of Foreign Mass Media Agency Offices and Foreign Journalists
The obligations of foreign mass media agency offices and foreign journalists are as follows:
Status Modification and Dissolution of
Foreign Mass Media Agency Offices
Article 15 Status Modification of a Foreign Mass Media Agency Office
A foreign mass media agency that wishes to modify its status and operations must submit a proposal letter, analysis of new activity, and other relevant documents to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Lao PDR for permission.
Article 16 Dissolution of Foreign Mass Media Agency Office
The office of a foreign mass media agency will be dissolved in the following cases:
Press Activities of Foreign Diplomatic Missions and
International Organizations in the Lao PDR
Article 17 Creating Mass Media Products
Foreign diplomatic missions and international organizations in the Lao PDR who wish to create mass media products must submit the products’ content to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and comply with the Law on Mass Media and other relevant laws.
Article 18 Disseminating Mass Media Products
Foreign diplomatic missions and international organizations in the Lao PDR who wish to disseminate their mass media products through the Lao mass media must submit a proposal letter to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for consideration by coordinating with the Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism as set forth below:
Article 19 Foreign Electronic Media
All electronic media activities of foreign diplomatic missions and international organizations in the Lao PDR must comply with the laws and relevant procedures of the Lao PDR.
Responsibilities for Foreign Mass Media
Article 20 Responsibilities of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs have the following responsibilities for foreign mass media:
Article 21 Responsibilities of the Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism
The Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism is responsible for studying and considering the activities of foreign mass media agencies as proposed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in compliance with its mandate as regulated in the Mass Media Law and other relevant laws and regulations.
Article 22 Responsibilities of Local Sectoral and Local Administrative Agencies
Local sectoral and local administrative agencies are responsible for coordination and cooperation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism to manage and check the press activities of foreign mass media agencies, foreign diplomatic missions, and international organizations in compliance with their mandate.
Final Provisions
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is assigned for coordinating with the Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism and relevant sectors to strictly and effectively implement this Decree.
Ministries, equivalent ministerial agencies, local administrative agencies, legal entities, and individuals shall be aware of and strictly implement the Decree.
This Decree is effective from the date of signature by the Prime Minister and fifteen days after posting on the Lao Official Gazette.
Any regulations or provisions that contradict to this Decree shall be canceled.
The Government of the Lao PDR
The Prime Minister
[Signature and seal]
Thongsing THAMMAVONG
Name | Description | Status |
---|---|---|
Additional restrictions on foreign mass media organizations | After obtaining an establishment authorization from the Government, a foreign mass media organization must dispatch its representative to make presentation to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Lao PDR within two months and prior to opening an office. | Active |
Appointment of Office Personnel by foreign mass media organizations | A team of editors, reporters and all press technical staff shall be appointed by the head of the office subject to approval of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Lao PDR | Active |
Appointment of Office Personnel by foreign mass media organizations | The head of the office shall be appointed by the foreign mass media organizations subject to approval of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Lao PDR. | Active |
Censorship of foreign mass media organizations | Foreign reporters are obligated to pay income tax in according to the law for foreign reporters working in the Lao PDR, including local staff working for press agency. | Active |
Censorship of foreign mass media organizations | Foreign reporters are obligated to promote bilateral and multi-lateral relation and cooperation in a constructive manner. | Active |
Censorship of foreign mass media organizations | Foreign reporters are obligated to respect and comply with the Constitution, laws, regulations, fine tradition and culture of the Lao PDR. | Active |
Censorship of foreign mass media organizations | Foreign reporters are obligated to return all documents to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Lao PDR after the press mission term in the Lao PDR comes to an end. | Active |
Censorship of foreign mass media organizations | Foreign reporters are obligated to send mass media products to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for consideration in collaboration with relevant sectors to inspect the content before dissemination. | Active |
Requirements to establish a foreign mass media organization | A foreign mass media organization that wishes to establish its office in the Lao PDR shall be a foreign mass media organization duly registered in certain countries. | Active |
Requirements to establish a foreign mass media organization | A foreign mass media organization that wishes to establish its office in the Lao PDR shall financial statement of foreign mass media organization. | Active |
Requirements to establish a foreign mass media organization | A foreign mass media organization that wishes to establish its office in the Lao PDR shall have an duly authorized office, acknowledged by the relevant administrative authority. | Active |
Requirements to establish a foreign mass media organization | A foreign mass media organization that wishes to establish its office in the Lao PDR shall include: 1. An application letter from foreign mass media organization; 2. A feasibility study regarding the application for establishment of foreign mass media organization in the Lao PDR; 3. A copy of Enterprise Registration Certificate or foreign mass media organization establishment license certified from embassy of Ministry of Foreign Affairs of relevant country; 4. Financial statement of foreign mass media organization. | Active |
Requirements to establish a foreign mass media organization | A foreign mass media organization that wishes to establish its office in the Lao PDR shall obtain a license from foreign mass media organizations. | Active |
Restrictions on foreign reporters without an office in the Lao PDR | Foreign reporters working for international mass media organizations that have no offices in the Lao PDR who wish to come to the Lao PDR for press activities shall seek authorization from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Lao PDR fifteen business days in advance. Application documents of foreign reporters to seek permission to perform press activities are comprised of: 1. Letter of Proposal; 2. CV of reporter; 3. Copy of reporter card; 4. Detail activity plan; 5. Text, news or press products done with the Lao PDR during the past period (if any); 6. List of equipment; 7. Copy of a valid Passport; and 8. 2 photos size 3x4; | Active |