Solemn opening of the 11th National Congress of the Vietnam Journalists Association for the 2020-2025 term

Attending the Congress were comrades: Vo Van Thuong - Politburo member, Standing member of the Secretariat; Nguyen Trong Nghia - Secretary of the Party Central Committee, Head of the Central Propaganda Department...

Attending the Congress were leaders of the Party, State, Central Committees, Ministries and Branches. In particular, there were 553 delegates representing 27,448 members in 288 Association-level units, 63 Provincial and Municipal Journalists Associations, 20 Inter-Associations, 205 Branches directly under the Central Association; former leaders of the Association through the periods, representatives of leaders of a number of press and radio agencies and Journalists Associations at all levels.

Delegation of Nghe An Provincial Journalists Association attended the Congress with 6 official delegates and 1 invited delegate.

List of delegates of Nghe An Provincial Journalists Association attending the Congress:

1. Tran Minh Ngoc - Director of Nghe An Radio and Television Station, Chairman of Nghe An Provincial Journalists Association.

2. Ngo Duc Kien - Editor-in-Chief of Nghe An Newspaper, Vice Chairman of Nghe An Provincial Journalists Association.

3. Ho Thi Ngan - Permanent Vice President of Nghe An Provincial Journalists Association.

4. Nguyen Ba Hao - Deputy Director of the Department of Information and Communications of Nghe An province.

5. Nguyen Thanh Diep - Chief of Office of Nghe An Provincial Journalists Association.

6. Ho Viet Dung - former Deputy Editor-in-Chief of Nghe An Police Newspaper (now Comrade Dung is Deputy Head of Department P03 - Nghe An Provincial Police).

7. Tran Duy Ngoan - former Chairman of Nghe An Provincial Journalists Association (invited delegate).

Delegates perform the flag-saluting ceremony. Photo: Dao Tuan

Delegates observed a minute of silence in memory of President Ho Chi Minh and the heroic martyrs. Photo: Dao Tuan

Before entering the official part of the Congress, delegates held a flag-saluting ceremony and took a minute to commemorate and pay tribute to President Ho Chi Minh, heroic martyrs, and journalists who have devoted and sacrificed their lives for the Vietnamese revolutionary journalism.

The press contributes worthily to the revolutionary cause of the Party and the People.

On behalf of the Congress Presidium, comrade Le Quoc Minh - Member of the Party Central Committee, Editor-in-Chief of Nhan Dan Newspaper, Deputy Head of the Central Propaganda Department, President of the Vietnam Journalists Association for the 2020-2025 term presented the opening speech.

He emphasized: The 11th Congress of the Vietnam Journalists Association is being held at a time when the entire Party, army and people are striving to successfully implement the Resolution of the 13th National Party Congress. The entire political system is actively creating many important developments in all aspects, promoting the achievements of the renovation process, towards the 2030 milestone of the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of Vietnam and the 2045 milestone of the 100th anniversary of the founding of the nation.

Comrade Le Quoc Minh - Member of the Party Central Committee, Editor-in-Chief of Nhan Dan Newspaper, Deputy Head of the Central Propaganda Department, President of the Vietnam Journalists Association delivered the opening speech. Photo: Dao Tuan

Delegates attending the congress. Photo: Dao Tuan

During the past term, the world political situation had many complex and unpredictable developments; the world economy was negatively impacted by the severe impact of the Covid-19 pandemic that lasted for 2 years. Many press agencies around the world had to reduce their operations and reduce jobs due to fierce competition from giant technology and media corporations, advertising revenue decreased not only for print newspapers but also for radio, television and electronic newspapers, and changes in users' information reception behavior also created many challenges for mainstream newspapers.

In that context, our country's press activities also faced many difficulties. However, with the spirit and noble mission of dedication, with the glorious tradition of revolutionary journalists over nearly a century, our country's revolutionary press team, gathered under the common roof of the Vietnam Journalists Association, has strived to make worthy contributions to the revolutionary cause of the Party and the People. In the face of new difficulties and challenges, the team of journalists across the country has increasingly demonstrated the spirit of solidarity, unity of effort and heart, for a professional, humane, modern revolutionary press that serves the Fatherland and the People.

Congress scene. Photo: Dao Tuan

The Congress has the task of evaluating and reviewing the implementation of the Resolution of the 10th Congress of the Vietnam Journalists Association; reviewing and evaluating the implementation of the policies and tasks on press work stated in the Resolution of the 12th Congress of the Party; 15 years of implementing Directive 37-CT/TW of the Party Central Committee Secretariat (Term IX) on "Improving the role and quality of activities of the Vietnam Journalists Association in the new period", implementing Directive No. 43-CT/TW dated April 8, 2020 of the Secretariat on "Strengthening the Party's leadership over the activities of the Vietnam Journalists Association in the new situation"; discussing and completing the Political Report of the Executive Committee, discussing amendments, supplements and approving the Association's Charter and other important documents submitted to the Congress.

Delegates of Nghe An Provincial Journalists Association attend the Congress. Photo: Dao Tuan

The Congress has the extremely important task of electing the Executive Committee of the Vietnam Journalists Association for the 11th term, 2020 - 2025, including journalists with qualities and abilities, prestige, conditions as well as enthusiasm, to lead all aspects of the association's work in the coming term.

Citing President Ho Chi Minh's teachings to journalists: "The mission of journalism is to serve the people, to serve the revolution"; "Journalists are also revolutionary soldiers", comrade Le Quoc Minh affirmed that in order to fulfill their glorious mission, journalists and press agencies must always "strive to cultivate ideology, expertise and culture"; "firmly grasp the Party and Government's guidelines and policies; go deep into reality, go deep into the working masses". "Uncle Ho's teachings will always be the "compass" for generations of journalists and press agencies in the process of cultivating, striving, maturing and growing" - said the President of the Vietnam Journalists Association.

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

The press is a trusted forum for the people, a pioneer.in the fight against corruption, waste and negativity

Next, on behalf of the Presidium, comrade Ho Quang Loi - Permanent Vice President of the Vietnam Journalists Association, 10th term, 2015 - 2020, presented the Political Report to the 11th Congress of the 10th Executive Committee. The report stated:

By the end of 2021, the country had over 830 press agencies of four types: print, radio, television and electronic newspapers. Press agencies have seriously implemented the leadership of the Party and the management of the State; are a trusted forum for the people, and an essential mass information channel for social life. The press has actively, proactively and promptly reflected, propagated and encouraged the implementation of the Party's guidelines and policies, the State's policies and laws; truthfully reflected the political, economic and social life of the country and internationally; fought to protect the Party's ideological foundation; and increasingly effectively performed the function of social supervision and criticism. The press is the main force, taking the lead in propagating the prevention, control and repelling of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Comrade Ho Quang Loi - Permanent Vice President of the Vietnam Journalists Association, 10th tenure, 2015 - 2020, presented the Political Report to the 11th Congress of the 10th Executive Committee.

In particular, the press has demonstrated its pioneering and effective role in the fight against corruption, waste, and negativity, affirming the political determination of the Party and State that there are "no forbidden zones, no exceptions" in the fight against corruption, waste, and negativity, contributing to consolidating and enhancing the trust of all classes of people.

The press actively implements Directive 05-CT/TW of the Politburo on promoting the study and following of Ho Chi Minh's ideology, morality and lifestyle, stepping up propaganda and education work to prevent and repel ideological, political, moral and lifestyle degradation, manifestations of "self-evolution" and "self-transformation" within the Party, contributing to strengthening Party building and rectification, and building a clean and strong political system.

Regarding the development of the press team, compared to 1986 - the time when our country began to carry out the renovation process, the number of press agencies and the current press team has increased nearly 5 times. Our country's press has had rapid and strong development in quantity and quality, with more than 45,000 workers working at press agencies, of which more than 20,000 journalists have been granted practice cards. The team of reporters and editors is increasingly younger and has received basic training.

Attending the Congress were 553 delegates representing 27,448 members, active in 288 association-level units, 63 provincial and municipal Journalists Associations, 20 Inter-Associations, and 205 Associations directly under the Central Association. Photo: Dao Tuan

Vietnam Journalists Association- one termactive and effective

The Associations at all levels and press agencies have focused on innovating education, training, and raising political awareness and professional ethics of journalists, pioneering in implementing the Party's resolutions and directives, and the State's laws and policies on information and press work. The Association has successfully implemented the High-Quality Journalism Project for the 2016-2020 period, and well organized the National Press Awards and specialized press awards.In 5 years (2016 - 2020), it has supported the creation of more than 14,000 high-quality press works at the central and local levels. The National Press Awards continue to be organized and increasingly attract the attention of the press and the public nationwide. In particular, the Journalists Association of all provinces and cities have submitted works to the awards.

Political training, professional skills, and professional ethics for members and journalists; press direction and management; inspection and protection of members' legitimate rights and interests; consulting on building mechanisms and policies to develop and manage the press and press staff... are given attention and implemented promptly.

During the past term, the association's leaders directed all levels of the association to strengthen the review and improvement of the association's organization and the quality of its members. During the term, 7,109 new members were admitted, with an average of nearly 1,500 members admitted each year, the highest number ever. The associations at all levels under the Central Association operated effectively and fairly evenly, actively participated in the general movements launched by the association, strictly complied with the Association's Charter, and implemented the reporting regime as well as other activities.

With 13,621 members, accounting for more than 50% of the total number of members nationwide, most of the 63 Journalists Associations in provinces and cities have received attention and direction from local Party committees and authorities, and have been provided with funding, headquarters, working facilities, and specialized staff, so they have maintained a regular routine of activities and created consensus among the team of members - journalists.

19 affiliated Associations with 6,214 members continue to innovate content and methods of operation, with many innovative and creative ways of doing things.

Problems that need to be overcome and directions for the future

The Political Report at the Congress pointed out a number of shortcomings and limitations that need to be overcome. These include the rapid increase in the number of press agencies leading to inadequacies in management and the emergence of negativity; some press agencies have deviated from their objectives, have not paid attention to setting examples, praising and encouraging new factors, advanced models, good people and good deeds, and have fallen into information about the negative side of society, lacking humanity and being anti-educational.

The implementation of the press development and management plan until 2025 is still confusing in some aspects, and is still a formality in some places; some press agencies lack direction in reporting on some important issues of the country and society; exploiting information on social networks lacks verification; the fight against erroneous viewpoints is sometimes passive and lacks sharpness.

Along with that, a small number of journalists take advantage of the name of journalism for personal gain, violate the law, violate professional ethics, some journalists participate in social networks without standards and lack responsibility; some representative offices and resident reporters do not operate according to their functions and duties; violations of intellectual property and copyright laws; the situation of "newspaperization of magazines and electronic information sites" is slow to be overcome...

Orientations for the coming time, the Political Report clearly stated: Focus on building a strong and comprehensive association, continue to innovate and enhance the role and prestige of the Vietnam Journalists Association in press activities and social life, contributing to building a revolutionary Vietnamese press rich in combativeness, humanity, professionalism, modernity, for the benefit of the country and the people. Associations at all levels innovate the content and methods of operation to gather, unite, and motivate all members and journalists, effectively implement and propagate the Resolution of the 13th National Party Congress and the Resolution of the 11th National Congress of the Vietnam Journalists Association. Implementing Directive 43 of the Central Secretariat on strengthening the Party's leadership over the activities of the Vietnam Journalists Association, the Plan for development and management of the national press until 2025, associations at all levels continue to review and perfect the organization system of the association in the direction of streamlining the number of focal points directly under the Central Association.

At the same time, build a team of journalists with strong political will, meeting professional qualifications, exemplary professional ethics, fulfilling social responsibilities and civic duties, meeting the requirements of tasks in the new situation. Promote foreign affairs activities, enhance the prestige of the Vietnam Journalists Association in the international arena, especially in the ASEAN community.

The Political Report also outlined nine key tasks to be implemented from now until 2025.

Next, the Congress listened to the Review Report of the 10th Executive Committee, term 2015-2020.

The Congress also heard presentations from delegates representing the Journalists' Associations and Journalists' Associations of several localities...

Next, the Congress announced the list of comrades elected to the Executive Committee, Standing Committee, Inspection Committee and the positions of President and Vice President of the Vietnam Journalists Association, term XI, 2020-2025.

The Executive Committee of the Vietnam Journalists Association, term XI, 2020-2025, was introduced to the Congress. Photo: Dao Tuan

Previously, in the working session on December 30, the Congress conducted personnel work, electing 52/62 comrades to the Executive Committee of the Vietnam Journalists Association, term XI, 2020-2025.

At the first conference, the new Executive Committee elected 12 comrades to join the Standing Committee of the Vietnam Journalists Association, term XI, 2020-2025; elected 15 comrades to the Inspection Committee of the Vietnam Journalists Association, term XI, 2020-2025.

The new Executive Committee also elected the positions of Chairman and Vice Chairman. As a result, with 100% of the votes, comrade Le Quoc Minh - Member of the Party Central Committee, Editor-in-Chief of Nhan Dan Newspaper, Deputy Head of the Central Propaganda Department was elected to hold the position of Chairman of the Vietnam Journalists Association, term XI, 2020-2025.

Comrades Tran Trong Dung and Nguyen Duc Loi were elected to hold the position of Vice Presidents of the Vietnam Journalists Association, term XI, 2020-2025.

The Congress congratulated the Executive Committee of the Vietnam Journalists Association, term X, 2015-2020, on completing its mission. Photo: Dao Tuan

After the new Executive Committee was introduced, the delegates voted to pass the Congress Resolution. The Congress called on all levels of the association and the team of journalists nationwide to promote the glorious tradition of the Vietnamese revolutionary press, strengthen solidarity, promote strengths, overcome shortcomings, constantly train political mettle, improve professional qualifications, uphold professional ethics, be proactive, dynamic and creative, seize opportunities, overcome challenges and difficulties, successfully carry out the tasks and goals set by the 11th Congress, contribute to the successful implementation of the Resolution of the 13th Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam, excellently complete the tasks of soldiers on the ideological and cultural front, worthy of the trust of the Party, the State and the love of the people.

Next, comrade Le Quoc Minh - President of the Vietnam Journalists Association for the 2020-2025 term read the closing speech of the Congress.