Journey of fire

(Baonghean) - After more than half a century of construction and development, Nghe An Newspaper has always promoted the tradition of being a newspaper born and raised in the cradle of revolutionary journalism, being the mouthpiece of the Party Committee, the government and the forum of the people of Nghe An, being the shock troops on the political and ideological front of the Party.

55 years ago, clearly recognizing the important role, nature and position of press work on the political and ideological education front in the new revolutionary period, in March 1961, the 7th Provincial Party Congress (round 2) resolved to establish the newspaper "Nhan Dan Nghe An". Then, on November 10, 1961, the Provincial Party Executive Committee issued Resolution No. 175 to establish the Editorial Office of Nhan Dan Nghe An Newspaper.

In the early days of its establishment, during wartime conditions, printing technology was still simple, and the reporter force had less than 10 people.But Nghe An People's Newspaper closely followed the vivid reality of the province, built rich content, promptly and comprehensively reflected the economic and social life at that time, meeting the objective requirements of history.

Mr. Tran Van Sam's family gave the newspaper souvenirs of zinc plates to print for Nghe An Newspaper in the years 1968 - 1969.

During the years when the US imperialists escalated their attacks on the North of our country, to ensure continuous and timely information, Nghe An Newspaper had to evacuate and move to districts such as Hung Nguyen, Nam Dan, Do Luong, Tan Ky many times. From here, overcoming all the difficult conditions of wartime, Nghe An Newspaper had thousands of articles promoting the labor production movement, good examples of labor, good fighting, contributing to the whole country's victory in the great war of national defense.

The war ended, the whole country entered a new phase, with countless difficulties and challenges. With the attention and direction of the Party Committee and the provincial government, Nghe An Newspaper continued to demonstrate its role, position and responsibility as the voice of the Party and a broad forum for the masses. During this period, each weekly newspaper published 2 issues with nearly 4,000 copies/issue.

The country's development reality in the period of continuous innovation has posed demands for a timely, accurate and lively information and propaganda channel, meeting the needs of the public and public opinion. Promoting the revolutionary and pioneering nature, the cadres and reporters of Nghe An Newspaper have truly become soldiers on the cultural and information front. On every road, from lowlands to highlands, from urban areas to plains, coastal areas or islands, reporters of Nghe An Newspaper have demonstrated their pioneering and creative role; with the enthusiasm of Party journalists, they dare to face all the difficulties and challenges that society poses.

From here, a series of articles, reports, photo collections, and video clips imbued with the breath of reality were identified and created a stream of public opinion and profound social criticism among the people and the press public. Thanks to that, Nghe An Newspaper has created great trust from readers, becoming an important document for activities of Party committees and authorities at all levels.

From 2011 to 2015, Nghe An Newspaper had a period of strong and remarkable development. The Newspaper advised and effectively implemented Project 01 of the Provincial Party Standing Committee on "Improving the quality of Nghe An Newspaper in the period 2011-2015 with a view to 2020". From here, Nghe An Newspaper rose to become the top newspaper in the Party newspaper system in the country.

Up to now, Nghe An Newspaper has 4 publications, including a large-format daily newspaper, Nghe An Weekend Newspaper, a special mountainous page and Nghe An electronic newspaper. The print newspaper publication volume reaches more than 16,000 copies/issue. By successfully building a converged newsroom model for the first time, Nghe An Newspaper has affirmed its pioneering position on the information front in the new trend.

With a breakthrough in building a convergent newsroom model, the Editorial Board of Nghe An Newspaper has created a new style and mindset, implemented the technology of journalism, creating a spreading power in the context of integration and information and communication explosion. Currently, on average, each day, Nghe An Electronic Newspaper (baonghean.vn) has over 150 thousand visits, providing an extremely rich and diverse source of information, meeting the demands of the majority of the people of the province, Nghe An people living far from home, as well as investors and friends from all over the world.

Reporters of Nghe An Newspaper working at the Nghe An Newspaper Cup 2015 Youth Football Tournament. Photo: Nguyen Son

With the strong development of printed and electronic newspapers, Nghe An Newspaper has shown its role as a "conductor" in orienting public opinion, "multiplying the good, eliminating the bad". In addition, Nghe An Newspaper has also done a good job of consulting, contributing to helping local Party committees and authorities "cool down" hot spots, resolve and solve pressing problems in people's lives; suggesting solutions, methods, and directions in local socio-economic development.

In addition to doing a good job of propaganda, Nghe An Newspaper is also a leading unit in the Party newspaper system in organizing charity and social activities. Among them, the activities are particularly practical such as: taking care of Vietnamese Heroic Mothers; organizing the traditional Provincial Youth and Children Football Tournament for the past 20 consecutive years; helping the poor commune of Xieng My, giving gifts, supporting poor students to overcome difficulties, families in difficult circumstances...

Looking back on the journey of striving over the past 55 years, we cannot help but be proud of the growth and great contributions of the Party newspaper in the homeland of President Ho Chi Minh - the founder of our Party and the Vietnamese revolutionary press. The trust of the Party in the important responsibility, the trust of the people of the province and all over the country as well as overseas Vietnamese, is the important driving force for the collective of cadres, reporters, workers and employees of Nghe An Newspaper to constantly strive to reap successes in the journey of development.

With those efforts, in 2012, Nghe An Newspaper was recognized as a cultural unit; for 5 consecutive years (2011-2015), it was recognized as a clean and strong Party organization; in 2015, it achieved a typical clean and strong organization; the agency achieved the title of Collective that excellently fulfilled its tasks. Many individuals of Nghe An Newspaper were honored to receive many awards from the Party, the State, the Central ministries, branches and the Provincial People's Committee. For many consecutive years, Nghe An Newspaper had many works that won the First, Second and Third prizes in the national press, something that few local press agencies have achieved.... In particular, in recognition of the great contributions of the 55-year journey of development, in 2015, the collective of Nghe An Newspaper was awarded the noble title of Hero of Labor in the renovation period by the Party and the State.

With a wealth of achievements over the past 55 years, the pinnacle of which is the title of Labor Hero in the renovation period, along with the recognition and trust of readers, will create a new mindset and solid luggage for each cadre, reporter and employee of Nghe An Newspaper to continue to unite, dedicate themselves, and move forward on the great path, accompanying the nation in the cause of building and defending the Fatherland.

Pham Thi Hong Toan

Member of the Provincial Party Committee, Editor-in-Chief of Nghe An Newspaper