Assessing the maturity level of digital transformation of newspapers in 2024

According to the Press Department, the set of indicators to assess and measure the maturity level of digital transformation of the press is used to monitor and evaluate the annual status of digital transformation of press agencies; compare and rank the level of digital transformation of press agencies; and compare between years.

Through evaluation and measurement using this set of indicators, it is possible to see the strengths that need to be promoted, the weaknesses that need to be overcome, providing information to support press agencies and related agencies in implementing appropriate digital transformation solutions, in order to complete the goals set in the "Press Digital Transformation Strategy to 2025, with a vision to 2030".

Head of the Central Propaganda Department Nguyen Trong Nghia, Deputy Head of the Central Propaganda Department, Minister of Information and Communications Nguyen Manh Hung, Editor-in-Chief of Nhan Dan Newspaper, Chairman of the Vietnam Journalists Association Le Quoc Minh and Deputy Minister of Information and Communications Bui Hoang Phuong at the Ceremony to announce the results of digital transformation of newspapers in 2024. Photo: TT

The Index consists of 5 pillars, 10 component indicators and 43 criteria. The total maximum score is 100. The maximum scores for the pillars are: Strategy 18 points; Digital infrastructure, digital platform and information security 24 points; Organizational and professional uniformity 20 points; Readers, audiences, listeners 23 points; Level of digital technology application 15 points.

According to the Press Department, the assessment and measurement of the digital transformation maturity of press agencies is first carried out according to each criterion, then calculated according to each component index/pillar. Each pillar/component index will have corresponding criteria and maximum points.

The evaluation and ranking results are the basis for press agencies to monitor the annual digital transformation roadmap. Photo: TT

To ensure a comprehensive and objective assessment, the Ministry of Information and Communications has established an Appraisal Council. This Council reviews, compares, and checks data provided by press agencies for assessment and ranking. Based on the assessment results, the assessment score for each criterion of the press agency can be adjusted.

For criteria for which the press agency provides data, if the unit cannot provide information or reporting data for any criterion, the corresponding score value may be 0.

The evaluation and ranking results are the basis for press agencies to monitor the annual digital transformation roadmap, reflecting a clearer picture of the unit's information technology application and development situation.

According to the Press Department, in 2024, 351 press agencies completed the training program; 282 units conducted assessment and measurement.

Specifically, the central newspaper block has 40 units; the local newspaper block has 62 units; the central and local magazine block has 48 units; the scientific magazine block has 67 units; and the radio and television station block has 65 units.

As a result, 28 press agencies achieved an excellent level of digital transformation maturity (an increase of 6.27% compared to 2023), 65 units achieved a good level, 55 units achieved a fair level, 25 units achieved an average level, and 109 units achieved a weak level.

For the second consecutive year, VietNamNet Newspaper is an excellent digital transformation agency.

With 28 press agencies achieving excellent level, the central press sector has 10 units, the local press sector has 8 units, the radio and television sector has 10 units. The two central and local magazine sectors, and the scientific magazine sector have no units achieving excellent level.

Digital transformation of newspapers in 2024 exceeds set targets

The Press Department assessed that although only 32.30% of press agencies participated in the survey, there were many large newspapers and radio stations - accounting for more than 90% of the market share of readers, viewers, listeners and 90% of the advertising market share on newspapers and radio stations nationwide.

The remaining 38.65% of press agencies assessed their digital transformation maturity at a weak level, mainly concentrated in the scientific journal sector (47.71%), and the central and local journal sector (22.02%). Compared to 2023, the country's weak level this year decreased by 24.35%.

According to the assessment of the Press Department, the awareness of the importance of digital transformation of press agencies by leaders has been raised compared to 2023. In addition to developing strategies/plans/overall programs/phases, nearly half of the press agencies have developed annual action plans/programs on digital transformation of their units (49.65%).

Compared to 2023, this year the number of press agencies starting to collect fees increased by 10.92%; the rate of press agencies with increased revenue compared to the previous year accounted for 36.17% (press agencies with fees in 2024 was 13.48%; in 2023 was 2.56%).

40.78% of press agencies are interested in improving the experience for readers, viewers, and listeners - an increase of 24.66% compared to 2023.

Also through the survey data, it can be seen that this year, the number of loyal and new readers, viewers, listeners has increased. Many units have paid due attention to ensuring information security and protecting copyright of press works in cyberspace.

The Press Department assessed that compared to the set target, the digital transformation of newspapers in 2024 exceeded the target. The target for 2025 is that the rate of units converting to digital newspapers at a weak or average level will decrease to 40%, the fair - good level will increase to 50% and the excellent level will be 10%./.

Source: https://mic.gov.vn/cong-bo-ket-qua-danh-gia-muc-do-truong-thanh-chuyen-doi-so-bao-chi-nam-2024-197241217075030944.htm