The Press Department is responsible on behalf of the Minister for the state management of the press, included printed, voice and visual press, E-news, Internet Content Providers (ICPs) and websites, in accordance with Communist Party guidelines and the policies and laws of the state. Its functions include: research and both long- and short-term planning to develop the press sector throughout the country; the drafting of laws, policies, criteria and definitions of the economic and technical levels of the sector; overseeing propaganda in respect of political work, current affairs and Party and State policy and monitoring efforts to avoid negative tendencies in the press; preparing public statements by the Minister; managing newspaper correspondents in their work with regard to the Party and the State; issuing and withdrawing permits to publish newspapers, magazines, supplements, broadcast programmes and the contents of Internet sites; issuing and withdrawing press cards; checking that the contents of every newspaper, magazine, broadcast programme and Internet site follow correct regulations; developing foreign exchanges involving the press sector; building policies and staffing systems and developing training and skills enhancement programmes for staff and correspondents; and collaborating with other organisations both at home and abroad with a view to implementing the work of the press throughout the country.