Editor-in-Chief of Nhan Dan Newspaper: 'The press must undergo digital transformation if it doesn't want to fall behind'

Overview of the launch ceremony for the new interface of Nghe An online newspaper. Photo: Duc Anh

Speaking at the launch ceremony of the new interface.Nghe An online newspaperComrade Le Quoc Minh - Member of the Central Committee of the Party, Editor-in-Chief of Nhan Dan Newspaper, Deputy Head of the Central Propaganda Department, and President of the Vietnam Journalists Association - congratulated Nghe An Newspaper on its extremely important progress.

Having followed Nghe An Newspaper for a long time, I've noticed that it's very quick to adopt modern technologies in its journalistic production process. The journalists in President Ho Chi Minh's hometown are always striving to innovate. The leaders of the Vietnam Journalists Association are very pleased with these changes.

According to Le Quoc Minh, Editor-in-Chief of Nhan Dan Newspaper, the Covid-19 pandemic occurred intensely and had a severe impact worldwide, especially from July 2021. The pandemic caused many challenges and changes for the press worldwide and in Vietnam.

Comrade Le Quoc Minh - Member of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam, Editor-in-Chief of Nhan Dan Newspaper, Deputy Head of the Central Propaganda Department, and President of the Vietnam Journalists Association - delivered a speech at the ceremony. Photo: Duc Anh

The changes include job cuts and scaled-back expansion plans. The challenge is that newspapers are facing increasing pressure from platforms, with many news organizations severely impacted by declining advertising revenue, while technology platforms are rapidly increasing their profits.

In this context, media organizations are trying to reduce their reliance on advertising by striving to increase the number of paying subscribers, focusing on organizing online events, and expanding e-commerce activities. Revenue from users is increasingly becoming a priority for media organizations, with a range of strategies to unlock its potential.

In addition, newspapers must offer cheaper advertising products, combining advertising diversification with the rapid deployment of traditional advertising. On the other hand, media organizations also cooperate and collaborate with each other, combining various content and changing content to attract users.

According to Le Quoc Minh, Editor-in-Chief of Nhan Dan Newspaper, in order to retain the public, newsrooms must also innovate, be creative, and experiment; creative thinking is necessary to save journalism. Photo: Duc Anh

According to Comrade Le Quoc Minh, Editor-in-Chief of Nhan Dan Newspaper, to achieve a long-term development plan, the newspaper must be like a marathon runner. It must inspire the public in a post-pandemic future with engaging content.

To retain the audience, content must be created that aligns with post-Covid-19 lifestyles and meets the ever-changing demands of media. Newsrooms must also innovate, be creative, experiment, and think creatively to save journalism.

Le Quoc Minh - Editor-in-Chief of Nhan Dan Newspaper, Deputy Head of the Central Propaganda Department, President of the Vietnam Journalists Association.

In light of these challenges, Comrade Le Quoc Minh stated that the press must undergo digital transformation, and that this transformation must come first, with benefits following suit.

"This is a necessary path, one that must be taken quickly and decisively, if we don't want to fall behind. Digital transformation is needed across all media – print, television, and online – and beyond. Digital transformation is not just about technology; it's about mindset, from production processes and management procedures to even the culture within the newsroom. In other words, digital transformation is essential in the content, commercial, and technology departments," Comrade Le Quoc Minh emphasized.

Leaders of central and local press agencies attended the ceremony. Photo: Pham Bang

In particular, Comrade Le Quoc Minh emphasized that newspapers must undergo a strong digital transformation starting from the highest level, encouraging new ideas, innovation, and creating conditions for everyone to have new ideas, while remaining steadfast when facing challenges. In addition, they must invest in human resources and promote their unique values. The unique values ​​of a media organization must be central to any digital transformation effort, and these values ​​must be clearly demonstrated to readers.

Furthermore, newspapers must invest in suitable digital personnel, placing readers at the center of content production, utilizing technology, and disseminating information appropriately. On the other hand, they must foster creativity through high-quality experiments, not be afraid of mistakes, and dare to take risks to achieve results; if it doesn't work, they should stop and try something new.