Comrade Vo Van Thuong: Vietnam Journalists Association must be a 'common, warm home' for its members.

Comrade Vo Van Thuong - Politburo member, Standing member of the Secretariat delivered a speech at the Congress. Photo: Dao Tuan

On the morning of December 31, in Hanoi, the 11th Congress of the Vietnam Journalists Association, term 2020-2025, solemnly opened its official session.

Comrade Vo Van Thuong - Politburo member, Standing member of the Secretariat delivered a speech at the congress, acknowledging and highly appreciating the results that the Vietnam Journalists Association has achieved in the past term.

He emphasized that our Party, State and People are pleased with the maturity and steadfastness of the press team nationwide, which is increasingly improving its political qualities, professional qualifications and skills, and has been gradually mastering modern technology, constantly innovating and creating. The information content in the press is increasingly comprehensive, diverse and rich; the political quality and cultural values ​​in press works are constantly being improved. Studying Ho Chi Minh's ideology, style and ethics, especially his ethics and journalism style, following in the footsteps of previous generations, the team of journalists today has been promoting their pioneering role, regardless of difficulties and hardships, bravely rushing in and being present at hot spots.

Besides recognizing and praising the achievements thatVietnam Journalists Associationachieved in the past term, Standing member of the Secretariat Vo Van Thuong also frankly pointed out some shortcomings that need to be overcome.

Some levels of the association and press agencies have not paid due attention to Party building and cadre organization; have not really focused on political and ideological education, training of political qualities and professional ethics for members; some press agencies and some journalists have deviated from the principles and purposes, lacked responsibility, even refused the orientation and educational functions of the press, violated the law and professional ethics, undermined the role and prestige of the press, damaged the honor and self-respect of genuine journalists, and negatively affected the association.

The innovation of content and methods of operation has not met the requirements and demands of reality; the quality and efficiency are not high, not keeping up with the development of the press. Some association organizations lack dynamism and creativity. Personnel work and association staff planning are still lacking in initiative; violations by members have not been promptly prevented and strictly handled. The Central Agency of the association still has some limitations and shortcomings in organizing the apparatus, building internal solidarity, and building the Party organization.

Political training, professional skills and professional ethics for members and journalists at some levels of the association and press agencies have not really received much attention. Some journalists still lack professionalism and the spirit of self-study and self-improvement.

Some press agencies and journalists follow trivial tastes and personal interests, indulge in negative information about society, lack humanity, are anti-educational, and even distort the nature of events.

Comrade Vo Van Thuong emphasized that the cause of national construction and defense is entering a new stage of development. Besides great opportunities, we also face many difficulties and challenges. The world and regional situation is complicated and unpredictable; the Covid-19 pandemic has greatly affected economic recovery and development, and people's lives.

That context poses a heavy but also glorious task for the Vietnamese revolutionary press and the Vietnam Journalists Association. The press must continue to innovate, truly becoming an accurate and timely information channel with greater power, influence and responsibility in society.

In order for the Vietnam Journalists Association to successfully complete its tasks in the coming term, the Standing Secretariat has suggested a number of contents:

The Journalists Association needs to fully recognize its role and position as a political-social-professional organization of Vietnamese journalists; operating under the leadership of the Party and within the legal framework of the State; the professional nature of the association is inseparable from the political-social nature; the primary task of the press, of Vietnamese journalists and of the association is to serve the revolutionary cause of our Party, State and People.

Continue to innovate the content and methods of operation of the Journalists Association at all levels through various forms and measures, creatively and practically, on the basis of promoting democracy, strengthening discipline, and stepping up the work of gathering and uniting journalists into the association; strive for the Vietnam Journalists Association to truly be a political - social - professional organization of Vietnamese journalists, a "common, warm home" for members and the press.

Each level of the association, press agency, and each journalist, first of all, should learn and follow the example of Uncle Ho - a great journalist, in terms of journalism style and ethics. We must deeply understand his teachings: "Journalists are also revolutionary soldiers. Pens and paper are their sharp weapons" and "What is writing for? To educate, explain, agitate, criticize. To serve the masses". On that basis, we must fulfill well the responsibilities and missions of revolutionary journalists; actively propagate and popularize Marxism-Leninism and Ho Chi Minh's thought; bring the Party's guidelines and policies, the State's policies and laws into life; promote the ideological, cultural and educational values ​​in each journalistic product. Timely discover, encourage and motivate good people, good deeds, and advanced models in all fields. To do so, each journalist must have a strong political stance, enthusiasm and a calm attitude towards all issues; must have a pure heart, respect the truth, high social responsibility.

He also requested the Vietnam Journalists Association to step up the work of building and rectifying the Party and the political system in press agencies and all levels of the Journalists Association according to the content of Conclusion No. 21-KL/TW of the 13th Central Executive Committee.

Comrade Vo Van Thuong further emphasized: "Uncle Ho once advised the Vietnam Journalists Association: "The mission of the association is to make its members closely united, helping each other to improve their political and professional qualifications. Only then can the Journalists Association fulfill its duties and journalists serve the people and the revolution well."and"Journalists are also revolutionary soldiers."This is the goal that the Vietnam Journalists Association, each member and journalist must continue to strive for, constantly practice, contribute to building the Vietnam Journalists Association to become increasingly clean and strong, and actively contribute to the growth of the Vietnamese revolutionary press.