According to Reuters, Vietnam is preparing new rules that would restrict which social media accounts can post news-related content, as authorities tighten their grip on the country's news and information sources.

These rules would create a legal foundation for regulating news distribution on platforms such as Facebook and YouTube.

Sources appear to have indicated that government officials have been holding confidential meetings with popular social media and internet firms to brief them on which types of accounts will be allowed, under the new rules, to post news content. According to them, authorities will be able to order social media companies to ban accounts that violate the rules.

The rules are anticipated to be announced before the end of the year, with specifics still being worked out.