The press followed the leader's words...

On the diplomatic front, President Ho Chi Minh stated, "Strength is the gong, and diplomacy is the sound. The louder the gong, the louder the sound." Revolutionary journalism makes that "gong sound" loud, clear, and far-reaching.

President Ho Chi Minh with journalists at the 3rd Congress of the Vietnam Journalists Association , 1962. (Source: Vietnam Press Museum)

President Ho Chi Minh was the first Vietnamese person to use journalism as a sharp and powerful weapon in the struggle for national liberation and nation-building. He founded revolutionary journalism in Vietnam and was a pioneering fighter on this front, raising the banner of journalism throughout the revolutionary journey towards the liberation of the nation, society, and humanity.

Following in his revolutionary footsteps, the diplomatic sector has made a significant contribution to the struggle for independence, national unity, safeguarding national sovereignty, territorial integrity, and peace and prosperity for the country.

After nearly 40 years of reform under the leadership of the Communist Party of Vietnam, thanks to the tireless efforts of the entire Party and people, "Our country has never had the potential, position, and international prestige it has today." Diplomacy has built bridges, broken down isolation, and actively and comprehensively integrated into the international community; affirming that "Vietnam is a friend, a reliable partner, and an active and responsible member of the international community."

In this process, external information work, in which revolutionary journalism plays a crucial role, has been actively carried out, disseminating information about the Party and State's guidelines and policies, along with the image of Vietnam's land, people, and culture – peaceful, friendly, and rich in identity – to the world.

Vietnam is currently facing, and will continue to face, global challenges: strategic competition among major powers, conflicts leading to global economic downturns, climate change and environmental pollution, disease and poverty, and non-traditional security issues. This context places new demands on foreign affairs. Foreign information dissemination through the press needs to be further strengthened and innovated with new measures, methods, and means to enhance its effectiveness in serving foreign affairs.

During his lifetime, President Ho Chi Minh affirmed: "Journalists are also revolutionary soldiers. The pen and paper are their sharp weapons." Journalistic information must attract public attention, generate public opinion supporting good things and opposing bad things. Journalists must be close to the masses, learn from the people to progress, and truthfully reflect social reality as the top criteria in professional ethics. Journalism actively contributes to promoting social development and participates in the process of formulating and perfecting policies.

In modern society, the need to convey information through various forms of journalism is increasingly large and diverse – both in genre and medium. Journalists in the field of foreign affairs are also following this trend and need to further cultivate their professional skills, developing both virtue and talent following the example of the great journalist Ho Chi Minh, and always being "passionately devoted to the Fatherland. Whatever benefits the country must be done with all one's might. Whatever harms the country must be avoided with all one's might."

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/bao-chi-theo-loi-nguoi-275778.html