Nghe An completes press planning work.

Prior to deploymentPress planningAccording to Decision No. 362/QD-TTg dated April 3, 2019, of the Prime Minister (hereinafter referred to as Decision 362), Nghe An province has 7 press agencies licensed by the Ministry of Information and Communications, including Nghe An Radio and Television Station, Nghe An Newspaper, Nghe An Labor Newspaper, Nghe An Public Security Newspaper, Nghe An Culture Magazine, Song Lam Magazine, and Science and Technology Magazine. With over 200 journalists, reporters, and editors, Nghe An's press agencies have adhered to their principles and objectives, providing diverse, rich, continuously updated, and timely information, reflecting the vibrant life of the province, effectively meeting the information needs of readers, and making a positive contribution to the economic and social development of the province.

Regarding the organization and restructuring of press agencies in the province, as stipulated in Decision No. 362/QD-TTg, the aim is to reorganize the press system in conjunction with reforming organizational models and improving the effectiveness of leadership and management of the press. This includes establishing a number of key press agencies to serve as the core in providing information and playing a crucial role.shaping public opinionand ensure the fulfillment of external information tasks. Organize press agencies in conjunction with clearly defining the leadership and management responsibilities of Party committees, government agencies, and state management agencies in charge of the press, especially the heads of the managing agencies and press agencies. Overcome shortcomings and limitations in press activities, especially overlapping activities and deviations from the principles and objectives of press agencies; improve the quality of information, better fulfill the task of political propaganda, and better meet the information needs of the people.

The Standing Committee of the Provincial Party Committee approved the plan for restructuring Nghe An's press agencies by 2025. Photo: Archival material.

Based on the regulations in Decision No. 362/QD-TTg, after the restructuring, Nghe An province will have three remaining media outlets: Nghe An Newspaper (under the Provincial Party Committee); Nghe An Radio and Television Station (under the Provincial People's Committee); and Song Lam Magazine (under the Provincial Union of Literature and Arts Associations). To effectively implement the restructuring, the Department of Information and Communications has advised the Provincial People's Committee to establish a Steering Committee and a working group to carry out the task.

During the planning and restructuring process, the Steering Committee held numerous meetings and discussions to listen to the concerns and aspirations of the managing agencies, press agencies, journalists, reporters, and staff of press agencies; and reported to the Standing Committee and the Provincial Party Committee for guidance. With the spirit of strictly adhering to the Government's regulations on planning, while also creating the best possible conditions for press agencies, staff, and reporters after the restructuring, ensuring they can continue working according to their individual wishes, especially continuing the propaganda tasks of the press agencies after the restructuring and merger, the planning aims to develop and better fulfill the tasks of the press agencies after the restructuring.

Following the opinion of the Provincial Party Standing Committee, the Provincial People's Committee issued Decision No. 3270/QD.UBND dated September 25, 2020, approving the "Plan for the restructuring of press agencies in Nghe An province until 2025". Accordingly: Nghe An Labor Newspaper will be dissolved, some reporters and editors who wish to work at Nghe An Newspaper will be transferred, and others will be transferred to the Provincial Labor Federation to be assigned to work according to their expertise. Nghe An Culture Magazine will be dissolved and merged intact into Song Lam Magazine to continue operating; Song Lam Magazine and the Provincial Union of Literature and Arts Associations are responsible for developing a plan to improve the quality and publication of Song Lam Magazine in accordance with the conditions after the merger. Regarding the Science and Technology Magazine, it will be dissolved and transformed into a Special Publication under the Department of Science and Technology.

Mr. Nguyen Ba Hao, Deputy Director of the Department of Information and Communications, reports on the Project for restructuring press agencies in Nghe An province by 2025. Photo: Archival material.

To date, the restructuring of press agencies under the responsibility of the Provincial People's Committee has been basically completed (except for the Nghe An Police Newspaper, which is awaiting implementation by the Ministry of Public Security). The Ministry of Information and Communications has issued decisions revoking the licenses of the three press agencies subject to restructuring. The Provincial People's Committee has issued decisions to dissolve the press agencies within its authority. Reporters, editors, and employees have been assigned to new agencies that match their expertise, qualifications, and individual needs.

Although there are still many difficulties and challenges in the process.mergerHowever, with a proactive approach and a commitment to preventing job losses, the advisory body for the "Plan for Reorganizing Press Agencies in Nghe An Province by 2025" focused intensely on applying relevant documents and policies during implementation. Throughout the process, the Steering Committee and the working group worked meticulously, holding meetings, dialogues, listening, sharing, and collaboratively finding the best solutions to protect the rights of reporters and employees of the press agencies subject to restructuring.

Comrade Pham Thi Hong Toan presents the decision to recruit reporters and staff from Nghe An Labor Newspaper to Nghe An Newspaper. Photo: Archival material.

To complete the "Project for the Reorganization of Press Agencies in Nghe An Province by 2025," the dissolution of press agencies included in the planning has faced numerous difficulties and obstacles. First and foremost, there has been considerable public debate and conflicting opinions regarding the implementation of the plan. In reality, the reorganization of Nghe An's press agencies must adhere strictly to the requirements and policies outlined in Government Decision 362, and there is absolutely no subjective or imposed opinion from the Steering Committee and its supporting team. The Steering Committee has listened to public opinion, refuted inaccurate information, and simultaneously accepted and acknowledged heartfelt and responsible suggestions.

Furthermore, the Steering Committee encouraged and motivated reporters, editors, and employees to feel secure and confident in the implementation of the plan. They addressed obstacles related to personnel allocation and organizational stability, ensuring employees could continue contributing and fulfilling their individual roles. The implementation of the plan and restructuring of media agencies strengthens these agencies, enabling them to play a leading role in journalistic activities, while also providing opportunities for reporters and employees to demonstrate their capabilities and responsibilities in their journalistic works. Therefore, the planning and restructuring of media agencies also opens up opportunities for each media agency and reporter in a new working environment.

Provincial leaders present flowers to representatives of media agencies included in the planning scheme. Photo: Archival material.

In the coming period, after the restructuring, the remaining three press agencies of the province need to innovate their operations more effectively, adhering to the principles and objectives of each agency, and continue to thoroughly understand the Party and State's policies and laws in journalistic activities. They should promote and encourage patriotic emulation movements, actively highlight good examples and good deeds, effectively act as a bridge between the Party, government, and people, creating unity in thought and action within the political system and society, fostering solidarity and consensus among the people, and enhancing the promotion of Nghe An's image to domestic and international friends.

At the same time, in the spirit of building a high sense of responsibility, journalists, reporters, and those working in propaganda need to continue to effectively fight against bureaucracy, corruption, waste, and negative phenomena; prevent the decline in ideology, politics, morality, and lifestyle; combat the peaceful evolution schemes of hostile forces, while enhancing political responsibility to the Party, the State, and the people; constantly innovate, improve professionalism and modernity, increase attractiveness and persuasiveness, and meet the increasingly high demands of journalistic activities in the context of the renewal of the homeland and the country.

Nguyen Ba Hao