Press information is different in that it is professional and multidimensional.
The press is like a lighthouse – an affirmation of that position associated with the mission of serving the press that we have been carrying out for hundreds of years. But each time is different, the movements of the times always remind journalists to urgently make appropriate changes to improve themselves, to develop more sustainably.
That is also the reason why the Editor-in-Chief Forum on the topic “Solution journalism - a direction for traditional journalism?” was assigned by the Vietnam Journalists Association to the Journalists & Public Opinion Newspaper, creating a sign for this innovation story. Of course, in practice, any work of journalism, whether direct or indirect, straightforward or far-fetched, always carries within it a solution or a trend for a certain solution… That is not to be discussed because the nature of orienting public opinion is one of the “unchangeable” attributes of journalism, and good orientation is due to having effective solutions.
The 2024 Editor-in-Chief Forum with the theme "Solution journalism - the direction of traditional journalism?" attracted more than 100 delegates who are leaders of press management agencies, press agencies, Department of Information & Communications, local Journalists Associations at all levels... Photo: Quang Hung
The lively discussions at the Editor-in-Chief Forum have somewhat clearly defined solution journalism in a systematic and strategic manner, not just in the story of a journalistic work. With the quality direction of 5 chairpersons representing the Central Propaganda Department, the Ministry of Information and Communications, the Vietnam Journalists Association, Binh Thuan province, along with the frank opinions from delegates who are leaders of press management agencies, press agencies, Departments of Information and Communications, local Journalists Associations at all levels..., it has helped us have a more comprehensive view of solution journalism, thereby having appropriate approaches in actual press activities, contributing to promoting the development of Vietnam's Revolutionary Press in the digital age.
The delegates all agreed that, now that information is so overwhelming, “a lot” is no longer the advantage of the press. Users only need a smartphone with an Internet connection to provide all kinds of information, instantly and from anywhere. But the difference in press information is that it is professional and multi-dimensional, especially in the current period when the press is following the trend of not only reflecting but also providing explanations and solutions - things that most ordinary users do not have the ability to access information and sources to create. The world press is now also following the trend of constructive journalism, solution journalism, not following the slogan “where there is blood, there is news” to produce sensational information like before. While competing with social networks for speed, we should not be too slow because we cannot let the situation of “fake news travel halfway around the world before real news comes out”, but “now is also the time to calm down, even stop for a moment to build truly in-depth content, build a loyal user base…” – Journalist Le Quoc Minh commented.
Journalist Le Quoc Minh emphasized: “The more important thing when following this path is not the number of visitors, but the fact that it will help our society become better, people think more positively, love life more and want to contribute more to that life.” Photo: Son Hai
Sharing the same view, from the perspective of local leadership, Mr. Nguyen Hoai Anh - Alternate member of the Party Central Committee, Secretary of Binh Thuan Provincial Party Committee also said that the press building a solution press can help the mainstream press affirm its position in the face of strong competition for information from social networks, demonstrating its role in serving the Party, State and People.
“With that meaning, Binh Thuan province is very excited and highly agrees with the Vietnam Journalists Association choosing the theme of the 2024 Editor-in-Chief Forum as “Solution journalism: A direction for traditional journalism”. This is also the issue we are very interested in when Binh Thuan is entering a new development journey with new goals” – Mr. Hoai Anh emphasized.
It can be said that the "lighthouse" is the mission of journalism, but to keep that lighthouse always bright, not dimmed by weather, time, or space, it is necessary to have common perspectives, looking in the same direction from press agencies and journalists.
“And the more important thing when following this path is not about winning or losing in terms of traffic, but that it will help our society become better, people think more positively, love life more and want to contribute more to that life” – journalist Le Quoc Minh emphasized.
The 2024 Editor-in-Chief Forum stated that press agencies must overcome many obstacles in the present and future to maintain their position as a guiding lighthouse…Photo: Son Hai
Boldly follow the way of journalism serving society
How to deploy effective press solutions that are suitable for the human and material conditions of each newsroom is an issue that many press agencies are interested in, and the Editor-in-Chief Forum is therefore very "hot" in finding solutions. Of course, as affirmed by journalist Le Quoc Minh, there is no common solution for all press agencies. There will be central press agencies with their own strengths, there will be local press agencies that are small but have important niche markets that large press agencies can hardly compete with, and there are even industry-specific publications that have their own advantages.
In fact, the Vietnam Journalists Association has encouraged press agencies to follow the trend of solution journalism and constructive journalism for many years and has also made important changes. Professional capacity, resource investment, policy mechanisms... All of these issues need to be raised but we still have to "cut our coat according to our cloth" and not follow the trend.
Delegates debated and discussed, frankly asking many questions to the hosts to find solutions to the problem: How to deploy press solutions effectively, suitable for the human and material resources of each newsroom? Photo: Quang Hung
Therefore, the story "The press needs to find solutions for itself before finding solutions for others" that Mr. Nguyen Thanh Lam - Deputy Minister of Information and Communications raised at the Forum received great consensus from the delegates attending. According to Mr. Nguyen Thanh Lam, the press needs to completely change its approach to turn challenges and difficulties into opportunities.
To develop journalism, especially solution journalism, Mr. Nguyen Thanh Lam believes that the most important thing to pay attention to is the issue of human resource training. He also emphasized that the vision of press agencies is also very important, many press issues need to be moderated, not reported excessively because sometimes the results are opposite to the original purpose, counterproductive... This story means that the press must clearly demonstrate the advantage of "official information agency", providing readers with content with information content that brings knowledge and understanding to readers, is fair, multi-source, authentic...
Delegates at the Forum. Photo: Son Hai
In particular, the Vietnamese press is a revolutionary press and if there is an issue that needs to be called upon, oriented to society, needs to gather forces to do great things, good things for the country, then the government system and the people always seek out the press and find themselves in the press... That is also the great goal that the press has, is and must continue to pursue and strive for.
But moving towards that goal is not an easy journey, because according to Tien Phong Newspaper Editor-in-Chief Phung Cong Suong: “To implement solution journalism, editorial offices and reporters will have to spend more effort, both in terms of time and money, to create attractiveness, liveliness, and attract readers. Solution journalism requires reporters and journalists to be conscientious, objective, and honest; to have a spirit of companionship for development, for the benefit of society. Along with that, solution journalism also requires journalists to have knowledge, the ability to analyze and evaluate issues…”.
Speaking frankly at the Forum, Ms. Nguyen Thi Hong Nga - Editor-in-Chief of Giao thong newspaper raised the question of what resources to use to implement solution journalism? Is it necessary to wait until "economic conditions are available" to do it? She said that for a long time, editorial offices could not publish any article without a solution, but to produce an article with a solution or a high-quality journalistic work, a lot of resources are needed. And the issue of funding to carry out such works is a very important factor.
It can be said that the goal and direction of solution journalism is also the solution for the effort to regain the core values of journalism and for the mission of serving readers, as Chairman of the Vietnam Journalists Association Le Quoc Minh emphasized: “The message that we want to send to press agencies as well as journalists after this Forum is that we should dare to boldly follow a new way of journalism - a way of journalism that serves society! Let's report the right news, report a lot of news, report deeply and for society, for the public, for the sustainable development of Vietnamese revolutionary journalism, towards a better society, not just for the benefit of the newspaper, economic benefits, personal fame... I believe that with the milestone of 100 years of Vietnamese Revolutionary Journalism in 2025, it is also the time when our Vietnamese press agencies will all transform to become more modern and humane...”.
Ha Van
Source: https://www.congluan.vn/bao-chi-giai-phap--ngon-hai-dang-dan-loi-post313972.html
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