The press needs to increase its coverage of positive role models.

(Baonghean.vn) - On the morning of January 6th, the Provincial Party Committee's Propaganda Department held its regular monthly press briefing for January 2017; reviewing press work in 2016 and the implementation of regulations on speaking, providing, publishing, and handling information in the press within the province.

Comrades Ho Phuc Hop - Member of the Standing Committee, Head of the Provincial Party Committee's Propaganda Department, and Nguyen Ba Hao - Deputy Director of the Department of Information and Communications, chaired the conference. Representatives from press agencies in the province and relevant departments and agencies attended.

The comrades presiding over the meeting.

Delegates attending the conference.

In December, press agencies strictly followed the information guidelines of state agencies directing and managing the press; playing the role of an information channel to help functional agencies promptly address issues of public concern, commend good examples in various fields, and forecast development trends in many aspects of socio-economic development.

The prominent issues in December 2016, which were effectively and extensively covered by the press, included the 17th session of the Provincial People's Council for the 2016-2021 term; the socio-economic situation in 2016; solutions to stabilize prices and ensure the supply of goods for Tet (Lunar New Year); the status of delayed construction projects; and issues related to education and traffic safety.

However, in January 2017, several incidents such as student fights and young men self-mutilating their hands in Do Luong were reported too extensively in the media, affecting public morale. Therefore, media outlets need to be more cautious in publishing articles that negatively impact public sentiment, and instead focus on highlighting good deeds and positive role models in society.

Fishermen in Nghe An province catch seafood at the beginning of 2017.

In January 2017, media outlets were instructed to focus on disseminating information on several issues, including the East Sea, the gold and foreign exchange markets, the provincial People's Committee's directives on stabilizing the social situation in the final months of the year, the Tet program for the poor, preparations for the 2017 Lunar New Year, combating cross-border human trafficking, preventing and reducing child labor, and raising awareness about fraudulent schemes.

The conference also informed the press about the implementation of Decision 62/3013/QD-UBND of the People's Committee of Nghe An province on speaking, providing, publishing, and handling information in the press in Nghe An province in 2016. It emphasized that providing and handling information is the responsibility of the entire society, not just those working in the field of journalism. Departments, agencies, localities, and all levels of the population have become more aware of their right to information, understanding the regulations on what the press is allowed to report and what it is not allowed to report; they requested that the press and agencies and individuals fulfill their obligation to respond when issues are raised by the public. In addition, press agencies and journalists who violate the Press Law should be severely punished.

Following this decision, press agencies have become more responsible and professional in gathering, processing, and publishing information. As a result, many issues raised by the press have been addressed, contributing positively to the socio-economic development of the province.

Comrade Ho Thi Ngan - Deputy Editor-in-Chief of Nghe An Newspaper, mentioned that Nghe An Newspaper has reported on and uncovered illegal activities and substandard practices of some beauty establishments in the province. She requested that media agencies and relevant authorities strengthen propaganda and address this issue to protect the rights and health of the people.

At the conference, many journalists contributed opinions and discussed issues related to journalistic work aimed at enhancing the positive impact of journalistic activities in the province. This included the Ministry of Information and Communications' Decision No. 2208/QD-BTTT on the revocation of the operating license of the Knowledge and Development Magazine. Accordingly, on December 15, 2016, the Nghe An Department of Information and Communications received a notice terminating the operations of the magazine's North Central Vietnam representative office.

In addition, opinions also reflected on several other issues such as the leasing of stadiums in Hung Phuc and Hung Binh wards; the bidding process for managing revenue and expenditure at some historical sites in the province; the handling of the responsibility of spokespersons to the press, regulations on the obligation to speak to the press; reporting on land allocation for construction and construction planning; strengthening specific information and propaganda regarding counterfeit and fake goods, especially bottled water, so that consumers can clearly understand the information, prevent and boycott counterfeit and fake goods; and strengthening information and propaganda on anti-corruption...

Comrade Ho Phuc Hop - Member of the Standing Committee and Head of the Provincial Party Committee's Propaganda Department - outlined the propaganda directions for January 2017.

Concluding the conference, Comrade Ho Phuc Hop - Head of the Provincial Party Committee's Propaganda Department - acknowledged and praised the effectiveness of some outstanding activities of the press in 2016, especially the reporting of prominent cases of public interest; and noted the propaganda directions for January 2017.

The Head of the Provincial Party Committee's Propaganda Department also noted that media agencies should strengthen the implementation and effective dissemination of directives and resolutions of the Party and State, especially Resolution No. 4 of the 12th Party Central Committee, directives on building civilized urban areas and new rural areas; monitor the implementation of the Prime Minister's directive not to send New Year greetings to superiors; and pay attention to supporting the poor and those in difficult circumstances during the 2017 Lunar New Year./.

Hoai Thu