(CLO) The topic of the environment is always a hot issue that people and public opinion are interested in, and this is also a topic that many journalists and reporters exploit. However, the environment also has many potential risks, when reporters not only face the danger of pollution but also a series of problems arising around it.
Environmental reporters are always considered to be hard-working, with people running out and us running in. Moreover, reporters often have to be present directly at environmental “hot spots” to provide new, timely, and accurate information to the public.
For every reporter, when entering a major event, especially an environmental incident, staying calm, covering the scene, and grasping the situation are very important factors. At the end of August 2019, receiving instructions from the agency's editorial board on working at the Rang Dong light bulb factory fire, journalist Pham Ngoc Thanh - VnExpress e-newspaper immediately set out and arrived early.
Journalist Pham Ngoc Thanh was present at many environmental pollution hotspots. Photo: NVCC
With experience in doing many news stories, including many explosions, when arriving at the scene, he observed the entire scene, weather, direction, and judged the locations he could reach. He found the highest place he could observe, ensuring that when working, he would not affect the authorities and ensure safety, and would not be affected by chemicals released during explosions.
Unfortunately, the next morning he showed signs of poor health, with a dry cough, vomiting, and feeling uncomfortable and nauseous. In the following days, upon hearing that the rescue team and people around the fire were being tested for mercury poisoning, he also asked the agency to test him himself to assess his health.
Journalist Pham Ngoc Thanh shared: “We knew that the area would be dangerous, the chemical army had to intervene, but we understood that it would be very difficult to get inside, the fire was still ongoing so we were still caught up in the event and paid little attention to the environmental pollution emitted from the fire and explosion area. For me, each photo product I create is not simply standing outside taking a few photos for reporting purposes, but must be committed to bringing readers the stories inside, at those times only recklessness, quickness to seize opportunities and experience can motivate me to do it. A photo series when published must show experience, difference, appeal, passion for the profession and sometimes recklessness”.
Participation in environmental protection propaganda work is not only in many major press agencies, but also in some magazines specializing in the environmental field, actively participating in reporting and writing in-depth articles on environmental protection. At the Environmental Economics Magazine, for many years now, the magazine's reporters have not been afraid of difficulties and hardships in writing about environmental topics, reflecting the aspirations of the people. Many of these works have subsequently won high awards at journalism awards organized by the Vietnam Journalists Association and ministries.
Journalist Doan Kien, in recent years, has not hesitated to venture into environmental hotspots. Once, he infiltrated a pig farm in Chuong My district, Hanoi. Along the road to the concentrated livestock area are a series of pig farms (more than 20 farms). Untreated wastewater from the livestock area is discharged directly into the environment, even wearing two masks is still unbearable, the environment is seriously polluted, directly affecting the residential area where people live.
There were times when he pursued topics about illegal dumping of waste, the violators often chose late at night, in remote areas with few people passing by. He had to monitor the emission source, following the vehicle for dozens of kilometers, if he was careless enough to let the subject discover, he would lose track or could be threatened by the aggressive subjects who were ready to use violence.
Reporters are ready to go on a mission to cover environmental protection. Photo: NVCC
Or in 2022, the Magazine's editorial office received information from people in a small hamlet in Cao Duong commune, Luong Son district, Hoa Binh province about environmental pollution from quarries exploiting stone for construction materials.
He and his colleagues went to meet the people. On the road to Om Ngai hamlet (Cao Duong commune), there were bumpy potholes and patches of dust covering the small hamlet. In each house, from tables and chairs, clothes to objects, no matter how well they were covered, they could not avoid dust even though the doors were always tightly closed.
After the article was published, the People's Committee of Hoa Binh province directed departments and branches to coordinate with the Magazine to clarify the contents reported by the press. Some quarries have been fined hundreds of millions of VND by the competent authorities of Hoa Binh province for violating environmental laws.
Journalist Doan Kien shared: When writing about environmental topics, reporters need to equip themselves with and cultivate scientific and legal knowledge because even if they detect violations of the law, if they cannot distinguish between hazardous waste, household waste or discharge standards, it will be very difficult to work with authorities and local governments.
“Although writing about the environment is a difficult topic, if we are truly passionate and not afraid of difficulties and hardships, we will definitely contribute our small part to protecting the living environment not only for today, tomorrow and the future. After the series of articles, we received thank-you letters from people sent to the editorial office and the group of reporters who carried out the topic. As those who directly participated in the series of articles, I feel very happy and proud to have contributed my small part to protecting the living environment and protecting the legitimate rights of the people,” journalist Doan Kien confided.
It can be said that the development of legal policies on environmental protection has always been of interest to the Party and the State, and the regulations on sanctions for handling environmental pollution are increasingly improved. However, in the process of implementation and application in practice, there are still many shortcomings, which greatly require the participation of journalists. Although they know that reporting and writing about the environment is full of unpredictable difficulties and dangers, they still try to work hard every day, every hour, ready to face the challenges ahead.
Source: https://www.congluan.vn/phong-vien-theo-doi-moi-truong-dan-than-de-mang-den-nhung-cau-chuyen-chan-thuc-nhat-post337803.html
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