More mechanisms needed for the press to combat 'self-transformation'

According to Mr. Le Quoc Vinh, journalism is a dangerous profession, so there needs to be more mechanisms to ensure the press fights against negativity, "self-evolution", and "self-transformation".

With the determination of the entire Party, the entire people, and the efforts of the entire political system, the work of preventing corruption and combating ideological and political degradation among cadres and party members in recent years has had positive changes in both awareness and action.

The press has always shown its positive and important role in the fight against corruption and against political and moral degradation. To clarify this issue, VOV reporter interviewed media expert Le Quoc Vinh.

Communications expert Le Quoc Vinh (Photo: KT).

PVSir, why does the Resolution of the 12th Central Committee, Session 4, emphasize the need to promote the role and raise the responsibility of press agencies and press management agencies in the fight against bureaucratic degradation, corruption, "self-evolution" and "self-transformation"?

Mr. Le Quoc Vinh:The press has always had an extremely important function, as an agency that can represent the people to monitor the activities of organizations as well as state agencies.

Besides reflecting aspects of social life, the supervisory function is also very important, so the role of the press in supervising activities to fight corruption, "self-evolution" and "self-transformation" is emphasized.

There is clearly a huge interest in the role of the press, but how will the press play that role in today's environment of social media, with so many conflicting streams of information.

PV:Cases related to corruption and negativity are always closely followed by the press, updated daily, even hourly. Some people say that through reporting, the press has not only met the people's need for information but also stimulated the spirit of preventing and fighting bureaucracy and corruption among the people. What is your opinion on this issue?

Mr. Le Quoc Vinh: With the current open information, people not only have the opportunity to follow the developments in the press but can also contribute opinions, comment, and share the content published in the press.

Pressure from the people also forces the press agencies to be more thorough, to have more regular and quicker activities in reflecting corruption cases, especially hot cases on social networks.

PV:Society demands that the press uphold its responsibility in the fight against corruption, negativity, and “self-evolution”, but in reality, many journalists have been put in danger while working. In your opinion, what mechanism is needed for the press to do better?

Mr. Le Quoc Vinh: Journalism is one of the most dangerous professions. They are on the front line without gunfire but very dangerous to their lives when they participate in investigating and discovering serious issues, especially cases related to corruption.

With the current system, although the role of journalists is respected, it is not guaranteed. We need another mechanism, an agreement and a guarantee from the state management agency as well as the executive agency.

PV: In order for the press to report and criticize accurately, what do you think about the role of spokespersons of ministries and branches in providing information to the press?

Mr. Le Quoc Vinh:State management agencies, enterprises and social organizations need to build mechanisms to create the best conditions for journalists to access information sources easily and quickly. At the same time, create a similar opportunity for society to verify the information provided by agencies and published by journalists.

When we create an open and transparent information mechanism, trust in the press and its spokespeople will be increased. Because the way we limit information creates more suspicion and doubts about the objectivity of the press.

PV:Because of the desire to provide information in a timely manner, especially in the current era of fierce competition for information by the press agencies themselves to attract the public, sometimes some journalists have committed professional mistakes. In your opinion, how can we improve the professionalism and ethics of the journalist team?

Mr. Le Quoc Vinh:Journalist ethics is a very hot issue and for the first time we have included it in the law. I also think that we need to create a mechanism to prevent journalists from being involved in commercial issues in press agencies in order to create a certain objectivity.

Although press agencies also need commercial activities, journalists and reporters need to keep themselves away from commercial activities so that they can maintain objectivity, and thus ethics can be maintained.

PV:Recently, the press has had a media incident about fish sauce containing arsenic and some other incidents. In your opinion, should we raise the issue of fighting against “self-evolution”, “self-transformation” and corruption within the press itself?

Mr. Le Quoc Vinh: I agree with the above opinion. When talking about “self-evolution” and “self-transformation”, the journalism world is no exception. Therefore, the steadfastness in ethics and professionalism of journalists today is extremely important.

Besides reputable journalists, there are also many journalists who do not take their personal ethics seriously and can easily fall into a trap, especially when it comes to earning a living. The demands of press agencies for views will put pressure on them and their behavior may be different from their ethical concepts.

PV:Thank you.

According to VOV