Improving the effectiveness of journalistic work in the new situation.

(Baonghean) - After 10 years of implementing Resolution No. 13-NQ/TU of the Provincial Party Committee on the Action Program to implement the Resolution of the 5th Conference of the Central Party Committee (10th term) on "Ideological, theoretical and journalistic work in the face of new requirements," the journalistic work of Nghe An province has achieved many remarkable results. However, the information explosion is posing many opportunities and challenges for the province's press.

Nghe An is one of the major media centers in the country, with 7 provincial media agencies. The province has 41 licensed central and local media agencies with representative offices and permanent bureaus, and more than 10 media agencies with reporters and collaborators working regularly but not yet registered in Nghe An.

Comrade Ho Phuc Hop - Member of the Standing Committee of the Provincial Party Committee, Head of the Provincial Propaganda Department, held a discussion with the people of Dien Quang commune (Dien Chau district).

To ensure that journalistic activities in the province become increasingly organized in accordance with the Party's guidelines and the State's management, the Provincial Party Standing Committee regularly pays attention to leading and directing journalistic work in the province, creating the best conditions in terms of facilities, equipment, mechanisms, and policies for media agencies to operate effectively and efficiently.

The Provincial Party Committee's Propaganda Department, in coordination with the Department of Information and Communications and the Journalists' Association, has continuously innovated and improved the quality and effectiveness of journalistic work. This is achieved through directing, monitoring, and urging the handling of issues raised by the press, organizing monthly press briefings, and holding quarterly and annual press conferences to promptly provide information on the economic, social, national defense, security, and Party building situation in the province. They also promptly address issues of public and media concern, rectify shortcomings in journalistic work, and guide the dissemination of key topics, thereby promoting the critical role of the press in social management.

Reporters from Nghe An Newspaper working on a project at the Ban Ve Hydropower Reservoir. (Photo: Archival image)

Over the past 10 years since the implementation of Resolution No. 13-NQ/TU of the Provincial Party Committee on the Action Program for implementing the Resolution of the 5th Plenum of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam (10th term) on "Ideological, theoretical and journalistic work in the face of new requirements," the provision, publication, and handling of journalistic information in the province have been carried out effectively. Simultaneously, the handling of reported information has received attention and guidance from Party committees and authorities at all levels. Specifically, the Provincial Party Committee's Propaganda Department and the Department of Information and Communications regularly compile issues reflected in the press and report them to the Standing Committee of the Provincial Party Committee and the Provincial People's Committee for direction and handling. To date, most of the issues directed by the Standing Committee of the Provincial Party Committee have been addressed by relevant units and localities.

Notably, over the past 10 years, journalism has developed significantly in both quantity and quality. The number of journalists, reporters, contributors, and technicians has grown considerably, reaching approximately 700 people working in the field. Along with improving professional skills, training and development of staff, enhancing journalistic ethics, and improving journalistic expertise have always been prioritized by media organizations. As a result, the leadership, editorial boards, editors, reporters, and technicians of media organizations in the province have become increasingly mature, meeting the demands of the political tasks set forth.

Reporters from Nghe An newspaper and officials from the Propaganda Department of Quy Hop district investigate the New Rural Development movement in Chau Cuong commune (Quy Hop). Photo: Thanh Le

The provincial press agencies have effectively fulfilled their function as both the mouthpiece of the Provincial Party Committee, the government, and socio-political organizations, and as a forum for the people. This has contributed to consolidating and strengthening consensus among cadres, Party members, and the people, enhancing the leadership capacity and fighting strength of the Party, and meeting the political requirements and tasks of the new revolutionary period. A prime example is Nghe An Newspaper, which has continuously innovated its operational methods; focused on training human resources; and assessed the capabilities of each position to organize and arrange the publication of its publications appropriately. Currently, Nghe An Newspaper is considered one of the leading newspapers in the national system of local Party newspapers. In 2015, Nghe An Newspaper was honored by the Party and State with the title of Hero of Labor in the Renovation Period.

Nghe An Radio and Television Station has continuously invested in building modern facilities and technology, improving content quality; launching several new programs to meet the viewing needs of people both domestically and internationally; maintaining the broadcast time of national television and radio, and striving to become a radio and television center for the North Central provinces. Other press agencies in the province are also affirming their prestige with readers inside and outside the province, with many journalistic works contributing to promoting the image of Nghe An province to domestic and international readers...

Reporters Dao Tuan and Thuc Anh interviewed the Chairman of Bac Ly commune (Ky Son district).

Simultaneously, the distribution and use of Party newspapers and magazines have gradually become more organized and have had a positive impact on social life. The circulation of Party publications has remained relatively stable, with Nghe An Newspaper circulating nearly 16,300 copies per issue. Party newspapers and magazines have reached a large number of readers, including cadres, Party members, people, and soldiers, especially in remote areas, border regions, and islands, meeting their information needs, raising their political and cultural awareness, and contributing to the dissemination of the Party's guidelines and policies, as well as the State's laws and regulations.

Every year, the Provincial Journalists Association, in coordination with relevant units and localities, organizes the Spring Press Festival to display and introduce over 1,000 publications of various types to readers, attracting 50-53 local press agencies with participating publications. In addition, over the past 10 years, Nghe An's press agencies have consistently had quality publications participating in the National Spring Press Festival and the annual National Press Festival; actively participating in the annual national journalism awards, including 4 A prizes, 3 B prizes, and many other awards; and winning 6 journalism awards for articles on the theme of studying and following Ho Chi Minh's ideology and ethics. In 2017, Nghe An Newspaper won the B prize in the "Golden Hammer and Sickle" journalism award...

To recognize, honor, and commend journalistic works, the province organizes many journalism competitions annually, such as: the Nghe An Journalism Award; the journalism award on traffic safety; the journalism award on new rural development and poverty reduction... These journalism competitions in the province attract a large number of journalists who actively participate and produce many high-quality works. Alongside the achievements, it must be frankly acknowledged that journalistic work still has many limitations, especially the lax management and political and ideological education of staff, reporters, and editors by the leadership of some media agencies. This includes some central newspapers that have not been strict enough with their resident reporters, leading to some journalists and collaborators causing harassment to local agencies and units, violating journalistic ethics, and even breaking the law in some cases...

To further enhance the effectiveness of journalistic work in the new situation, the tasks for the coming period are to build upon the achievements and continue to innovate in the direction and management of the press, especially in carrying out the Nghe An press planning according to the National Press Development and Management Plan until 2025 and the provisions of the 2016 Press Law. Strengthen leadership and management of the press, specifically by improving the quality of monthly press briefings. Strictly handle cases of violations of the press law and deviations from the Party's leadership in press work. Strengthen coordination, inspection, and strict handling of violations reported by the press. Closely coordinate with press management agencies to strengthen leadership and direction of press agencies, representative offices, and resident offices in the area. At the same time, the press should be guided to actively promote the Party's guidelines and policies, the State's laws, and the province's mechanisms to create unity in thought and consensus among the people, and to achieve the province's common goals.

Press agencies need to quickly overcome limitations and shortcomings, and promote effective information and propaganda activities to encourage the entire political system and the people to implement the resolutions of the Party Congress at all levels. Emphasis should be placed on identifying, encouraging, and motivating advanced models and promoting the role of the press in combating negativity, manifestations of ideological, moral, and lifestyle degradation; and fighting against corruption, waste, and vested interests.

The press actively and effectively participates in combating and refuting the false views and distorted arguments of hostile forces, reactionary organizations, opportunistic elements, and politically disgruntled individuals who oppose the Party, the government, and the national unity. At the same time, it creates a forum for all segments of the population to offer suggestions and contribute solutions to promote socio-economic development and ensure national defense and security. Furthermore, continued attention should be paid to training, fostering, and improving the professional qualities and skills of journalists. The regulations on professional ethics for journalists should be strictly implemented.

Ho Phuc Hop

(Member of the Standing Committee, Head of the Provincial Party Committee's Propaganda Department)