The profession chooses people to carry out the mission of dedication.

Facing danger

Nowadays, every citizen can open their smartphone and easily update many news and vivid images on various types of newspapers. It can be a few news lines or photos capturing life moments or images that only last a few dozen seconds… At first glance, people think that information and images are “simple things” that press agencies bring to readers. However, it is a serious and tiring labor process, even facing many dangers, requiring the dedication of those in the journalism chain.

Reporters of Nghe An Newspaper and Nghe An Radio and Television Station work in the fight against Covid-19. Photo: Thanh Cuong - Contributor

During the recent period of social isolation to prevent the Covid-19 epidemic, most people limited their travel or were allowed to rest at home. On the contrary, many reporters and journalists had to increase their activities to update the public with news. Reporter Thanh Cuong of Nghe An Newspaper was one of those who worked at full capacity during the past epidemic season. He and his team of reporters were present in many locations, coming into contact with many people at risk of infection. Even though the agency was equipped with protective gear to prevent the epidemic and did a good job of disinfecting after each work session, he himself was very worried at that time. In the beginning, he isolated himself from his wife and children for many days so that he and his colleagues could regularly produce news reports.

Reporter Nguyen Toan, Nghe An Radio and Television Station, is also a person who regularly reports on Covid-19 prevention and control. He and his colleagues are present in many areas from the plains to the mountains to record and report on the epidemic prevention work. He himself had a "close call" when he went to Que Phong to work. When he arrived at Thong Thu Border Guard Station to measure his body temperature, the alarm continued to go off and a quarantine plan was considered. After the station officers calmly monitored and measured his temperature again, his temperature had dropped to a stable level. The reason was analyzed that he drove himself from Vinh City to the station (about 280 km), so his body temperature was higher than normal...

That dedication is just one example of the hard work of reporters and journalists.

The dedication of those "anti-epidemic reporters" is just one example showing the hard work of reporters and journalists. More dangerously, there are reporters and journalists who have been threatened with death, even assaulted when reporting on thorny issues in life. That was the case of reporter Hoang Dinh Chieu, Vietnam Television, resident in Kon Tum province, who was beaten when reporting on the illegal land exploitation situation in Ngo May ward, Kon Tum city (Kon Tum province) in January 2019. Or before that, journalist Lien Lien, Vietnam Television; journalist Thu Trang, Ho Chi Minh City Women's Newspaper and a number of other reporters and journalists received life-threatening messages when reporting on negative social issues...

Reporter of Nghe An Newspaper working in Western Nghe An.

Many people believe that journalism is ranked in the Top 10 most dangerous professions. In reality, reporters and journalists encounter many difficult situations that threaten their lives. It can be working in flood areas, preventing natural disasters or working with the people and all levels of the industry to prevent corruption and eliminate negativity in society... To have accurate information, especially in preventing negativity, reporters and journalists must thoroughly investigate "every hair and strand", even disguise themselves to find complete evidence, creating information power, supported by justice and the people.

Journalism

From a social perspective, journalism is a special profession, where the truth is always the top priority. That requires journalists, including: Reporters, editors, editorial secretaries, technicians, Editors-in-Chief, Deputy Editors-in-Chief... to always be passionate, honest, dynamic, able to work independently and coordinate well in groups, withstand pressure and have steadfast, transparent political qualities, and an objective view...

Therefore, journalism is honored by society for its "tireless steps" on the journey to fulfill its functions and tasks. Recently, on June 13, the Central Propaganda Department chaired and coordinated with ministries and branches to organize the Conference "Meeting and honoring exemplary journalists" to celebrate the 95th anniversary of Vietnam Revolutionary Press Day. 187 journalists and reporters from press agencies across the country were honored, including journalist Nhat Lan (Nghe An Newspaper) and journalist Khanh Ly (Nghe An Radio and Television Station) from Nghe An province.

Outstanding journalists honored as "Outstanding Journalists" nationwide. Photo: VNA

"That honor, to me, is a favor, a grace from the collective…".

Journalist Nhat Lan - Nghe An Newspaper

When talking about this honor, journalist Nhat Lan (One of the proactive reporters, who wrote many high-quality articles and special topics recognized by readers and all levels and sectors. He won many Central and Nghe An provincial press awards; was honored by the Party Committee of Nghe An provincial agencies as an excellent party member in studying and following Ho Chi Minh's ideology, morality and style), said: "Although I myself have made efforts to overcome many hardships of journalism, that honor is a favor from the Nghe An Newspaper collective. Because journalism, to have products reach readers, is a cycle with many efforts of many people. From the readers who are meticulous, technical... to the leaders - the brains - who operate all activities. Therefore, that honor, to me, is a favor, a favor from the collective...".

Throughout history, generations of Vietnamese journalists have constantly strived to follow the teachings of President Ho Chi Minh: “Journalists are also revolutionary soldiers…”, pioneering on the ideological and cultural front. In the new period, the press has developed with many advantages when applying information technology in its activities. Accordingly, information is faster, more accurate, more multi-dimensional, meeting the public’s information needs.

In that flow, there are also reporters and journalists who show poor professionalism and ethics, and cannot stand firm in the face of material temptations. These are the “bad apples” who will certainly be condemned and punished, because journalism, in addition to operating according to its principles, purposes and legal framework, is also subject to great “censorship” by the people.

Working at the Youth Football Tournament - Nghe An Newspaper Cup. Photo: Ho Phuong