That is the affirmation of journalist Pham Van Bau - Chairman of Thanh Hoa Journalists Association, Director of Thanh Hoa Radio and Television Station in a conversation with us about the digital transformation at the Station. With more than 20 years of working, journalist Pham Van Bau has taken on many roles from reporter to manager and the thing that the young leader is most concerned about today is how to effectively keep up with the digital transformation of journalism.
+ Digital transformation can be said to be the keyword at the top of the list of strategies of press agencies today. In your opinion, what factors contribute to the success of digital transformation at press agencies?
- Digital transformation in the field of journalism and media is a combination of many factors, but in my opinion, the human factor is still the most important because digital transformation in the field of journalism and media is a combination of both content and technology, both of which are closely related to people. Press agencies need to clearly identify that changing the mindset in digital transformation is not only in the leader, in the content or technical department, but everyone must participate. Because digital transformation is not simply digitizing content to a digital platform, but must create a new production process, new information products, and even create a culture in the newsroom to suit the digital transformation environment. And to do that, the participation of all departments in a press agency is needed.
Journalist Pham Van Bau - Chairman of Thanh Hoa Journalists Association, Director of Thanh Hoa Radio and Television Station.
For today's press agencies, to successfully transform digitally, it is necessary to have a team of human resources capable of proficiently using digital tools as well as creating an environment for journalists and reporters to develop creativity and properly implement the development direction that the agency desires.
+ How has Thanh Hoa Radio and Television Station (TTV) realized the digital transformation story, sir?
- As the main press agency of the province, over the years, Thanh Hoa Radio and Television Station has been gradually building the image of a dynamic TTV, integrating with the press and media in the region and the whole country. Thanh Hoa Radio and Television Station is the only local station in the country with 4 types of media, including: radio, television, electronic information, propaganda, visual agitation, exhibition and event organization. Over the years, Thanh Hoa Radio and Television Station has always strived to innovate, increasingly better meeting the information and entertainment needs of listeners and listeners.
We are gradually adapting to the digital transformation trend by investing in modern technical infrastructure, applying new technology, gradually perfecting the TTV ecosystem with 92.3 MHz FM radio waves and TTV TV channel as the center, along with Thanh Hoa Television Application, Electronic Information Page, new transmission infrastructures and social networks with the criteria: Official - Quick to make the TTV brand increasingly loved and chosen by the public with the motto "Where there is an audience, there is TTV" .
To realize that goal, in 2022, we have cooperated with Internet companies to develop digital content to upgrade the website https://truyenhinhthanhhoa.vn with a modern, user-friendly interface, optimized publishing process, large capacity, helping audiences watch TV, listen to radio and read news on many devices.
The station's website republishes radio and television works in multimedia format. In particular, there are Infographics, E-Magazine, Longform, and Podcast formats that bring new and exciting experiences to TTV readers.
Along with that, we have also developed the “Thanh Hoa Television” application compatible with all types of smartphones, tablets and smart TVs with diverse content, updated every day. Audiences can watch TV, listen to live radio and replay, listen to their favorite programs right on their phones, and receive notifications when there is new news. In addition, we also invest in and develop social networking platforms such as Facebook, Zalo, Youtuber, TikTok… in line with current trends.
Currently, Thanh Hoa Radio and Television Station basically has a complete media ecosystem, suitable for the development trend of modern journalism and media, creating a foundation for the Station's digital transformation process in the coming time.
+ Sir, on the journey of digital transformation, surely a local press agency like Thanh Hoa Radio and Television Station must have encountered many difficulties?
- The trend of digital transformation is posing significant challenges for press agencies, especially for local press agencies such as Thanh Hoa Radio and Television. When implementing the model and method of operation transformation after implementing the National Press Development and Management Plan to 2025, press agencies face many difficulties, especially the issue of organizing the press apparatus and economy, having to be financially autonomous in the context of increasingly high competition for information among media types.
Nowadays, more and more individuals and businesses produce their own radio and television programs and provide them to internet transmission infrastructures through websites, applications, and social networks, resulting in a sharp decrease in advertising revenue due to economic difficulties and a strong shift to new media platforms.
The shift in the way readers, listeners, and viewers access information from passive to active and technology-driven and user-driven is happening rapidly and is the mainstream trend, requiring press agencies to have good strategies, operate and manage activities according to new models (multi-platform, increased interactivity...) to be able to meet the needs of the audience.
In particular, financial conditions, quality of human resources, and technological equipment are still limited. In this context, leaders of local press agencies must have specific strategies and proactively implement measures to change perceptions, approaches, and working processes, paying special attention to training on digital transformation of journalism.
In the process of digital transformation, the main difficulties of Thanh Hoa Radio and Television Station are funding, human resources and equipment. Currently, Thanh Hoa Station has to be self-sufficient in regular expenses while advertising revenue has seriously decreased, leading to no funding to invest in modern, synchronous equipment and technology.
Although the human resources are large in quantity, their quality is still limited, lacking high-quality human resources positions, especially a team of reporters with skills to create digital products. Therefore, it takes time to train, foster and improve the quality of human resources.
+ Nowadays, many journalists use social networks to promote their articles, to express their role and opinions in society. However, there are many journalists who do not understand the role of social networks. What is your opinion on this situation?
- Along with the development of digital transformation, social networks are considered to be the most influential information channels when they have the ability to spread information as far, wide and fast as possible. As an open information site, besides the undeniable advantages and advantages, social networks also have many dangerous downsides. That is fabricated information, completely unverified, which is easily posted on social networking sites.
Journalists with their specific jobs are also considered to have a wide influence on society. Currently, most modern journalists use social networks. In addition to personal entertainment purposes, most journalists consider this as a channel to receive information, even a source of abundant and rich information, with many aspects of social life. Even comments from social network users can become useful suggestions for a more multi-dimensional perspective.
In addition, social networks also help information and press works to be widely spread and promoted thanks to the posting, sharing and interaction features. However, the reality is that recently, there have been some journalists who have expressed negative personal opinions and unqualified statements on social networks, causing public confusion. In particular, there is information that directs public opinion in a negative direction, viewing social life as full of injustice, thereby causing a lack of faith in life. There are journalists whose cards have been revoked by the Ministry of Information and Communications because of the statements they posted and shared on Facebook. That is truly regrettable.
We must recognize that journalism is also cultural work, so it requires high standards of exemplary behavior, voluntary, self-awareness, and compliance with cultural and ethical standards of those working in the profession. From preserving the purity of the Vietnamese language, not using slang, offensive, and vulgar language on the Internet; to being conscious when posting information on personal pages; avoiding the spread of inaccurate, unverified information.
With issues of public concern, journalists are more careful when speaking on social networks to avoid offensive behavior when there are debates due to conflicting opinions; do not use social networks to call for public opinion to attack individuals or groups to resolve personal conflicts. In addition, it is also necessary to be aware of spreading good messages and good stories that still happen in daily life, thereby spreading meaningful actions to society.
Vietnamese journalists are living and working in a world of multidimensional, borderless and limitless information. In that world, social networks are increasingly spreading and asserting their “power”. Therefore, journalists need to cultivate ethics and courage, constantly supplement and improve their knowledge and behavioral culture when using social networks.
On December 16, 2016, the Vietnam Journalists Association issued 10 regulations on professional ethics for Vietnamese journalists. They clearly state what should and should not be done. Regulations on journalistic ethics are a concentrated expression of cultural behavior in press agencies, thereby guiding the practice of journalistic culture. Each press agency needs to build a cultural environment in the workplace. This contributes to multiplying good values, strengthening the resistance of each journalist against negative aspects in society.
Obviously, journalists, in addition to complying with the Press Law, are also citizens and must comply with legal regulations, especially regulations related to the use of social networks. If ordinary people use social networks to post false news, the consequences may be very small, but if journalists post false news, the consequences can be very big. Therefore, every journalist needs to constantly improve their sense of responsibility to society, maintain professional ethics, fight against people with wrongdoings, and properly demonstrate their role and responsibility on social networks.
+ Thank you very much! I wish TTV continued success in the digital transformation process.
Ha Anh (Implementation)
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