Sources are valuable assets for journalists, therefore, implementing a culture of behavior in contacting sources, interviewing characters and exchanging and placing articles with collaborators is extremely important to her. It is necessary to build and aim for a team of reliable and quality collaborators... contributing to enriching and enlivening the newspaper pages.
Three monitors, three connections…
Journalist Thu Ha said that the People's Army Newspaper mainly carries out political and defense tasks, it is not a newspaper specializing in literature and arts, but the cultural field is always of interest to the newspaper and promoted. Meanwhile, this is a very broad field, covering both inside and outside the army, so reporters can only basically respond to news and reflect issues, while specialized issues are not generalized, comprehensive and in-depth enough. Therefore, the force of collaborators, especially experts, scientists, artists... is extremely necessary to deepen and diversify the perspective, tone, and persuasiveness of information; at the same time, increase the prestige of the column, as well as contribute to enhancing the position and brand of the newspaper...
Journalist Thu Ha shared: “ With the specific content that the Culture - Sports Editorial Department is in charge of: Culture, literature, art, education, tourism, sports, our department has a working motto, demonstrating the behavioral culture of "Three close adherence, Three connections".
“Three close” include: Closely following the assigned field of responsibility; closely following current events, issues, and public opinion; closely following real life and grassroots practices to have specific and vivid information.
“Three connections” include: Connecting with state management agencies in the field of propaganda; connecting with managers, experts, and scientists to have official, in-depth, and reliable sources of information; connecting with a team of informants and collaborators to contribute to enriching the content of information and topics on the newspaper page.”
Journalist Thu Ha chats with the character
With that motto, the attachment and connection with the source of information according to journalist Thu Ha is the core, the key to success, if the source of information is good, the reporter's article will be good. " In addition, with the People's Army Newspaper, the first criterion is to provide readers with accurate information, then it will be good. Therefore, the source of information must be correct, in the right direction, and with the right propaganda goal. That source of information is associated with the event, the providing unit, the providing individual.
For characters, especially experts, scientists, educators, prestigious artists... those who are knowledgeable in their fields, providing sources of information that demonstrate objectivity and have opinions contribute to helping reporters have a multi-dimensional, more comprehensive view of the issue to provide and propagate to readers information that is oriented, spreading correct and humane arguments, guiding society towards positive values; at the same time, refuting wrongdoings, negative behaviors, causing political and social instability.
In particular, the issues published by the People's Army Newspaper are not only for propaganda purposes, but also have the task of storing information and documents. Therefore, sources of information from experts, scientists... are extremely necessary and very practical in the work of storing information" - Lieutenant Colonel Dang Thu Ha emphasized.
Respect for collaborators
Creating, handling and maintaining sources of information and relationships are always a concern for writers. The Culture and Sports Editorial Department must have very specific strategies for each year and each period. Journalist Thu Ha shared that, to carry out this task, with the attention and direction of the Editorial Board, the head of the department and reporters had to plan early and foresee important events that would take place during the year.
For example, at the end of 2022, it was necessary to determine that in 2023 there would be two major events of the country related to the cultural field: the 80th anniversary of the birth of the Vietnamese Culture Outline, the summary of 15 years of implementing Resolution 23-NQ/TW on the development of literature and art in the new period... to plan to place articles, interview experts to clarify and promote these two events. Or there are sudden events and fields such as contributing a voice to criticize the education sector for making History an elective subject...
Without a team of close, trustworthy experts, it would be difficult to respond quickly to current issues that breathe life and receive much attention from public opinion.
“ In addition, our Culture - Sports Editorial Department also takes charge of a special page such as the weekly Friday Literature and Arts with in-depth analytical content. The team of collaborators plays a vital role in the column,” said journalist Thu Ha.
Journalist Thu Ha works at the Army Games event.
Of course, it cannot be denied that working at a prestigious newspaper with a tradition of more than 70 years of the People's Army Newspaper is also an advantage in exploiting sources of information and building trust and relationships with collaborators. However, these are also always challenges that require soldier journalists to always behave in a cultural manner, showing that they are knowledgeable, sincere, responsible, and skillful, creating sympathy and trust for interviewees and collaborators so that they cooperate to provide the best information for them.
Journalist Thu Ha said: “ Reporters of the Culture - Sports Editorial Department are often assigned to participate in writing important articles and series, so being able to approach experts, scientists or receive articles from expert collaborators makes us feel that this is both an honor and an opportunity to learn and improve our knowledge in each field.
I have heard many of my colleagues say that in order to have a conversation with experts on a certain issue, you have to read books about the issue for a month. Journalists also get to go directly to many places, approach the characters, and “see” the issues firsthand. These are also great opportunities to strengthen relationships with collaborators and build many new collaborators.
Journalist Thu Ha also shared some experiences, ways to connect, and maintain relationships with collaborators and experts who are sophisticated and interesting. She said: Each person will have their own approach and set up a suitable system of collaborators. According to the experience shared by reporters in the room, you must know how to detect experts in events such as conferences and seminars. If any speaker speaks well, you must find a way to approach and ask for an interview to get to know them. Initially, it is an expert opinion interview, gradually when the relationship becomes closer, you can ask for their articles.
Many experts and scientists are only familiar with writing papers and in-depth research articles but have never written for a newspaper, which will be very difficult. Reporters should initially send sample articles and outlines so that they understand how to write in their newspapers. Cultural behavior with sources and this team of collaborators is also shown in knowing how to "please" and ask permission to re-edit the articles submitted by collaborators in journalistic style, along with specific explanations of article standards with regulations on word count, content, and time of publication. At the same time, clearly announce the royalty rate to avoid future disagreements. If there are no conditions for direct contact, reporters can look for experts by watching TV or newspapers. Anyone who talks about issues they are interested in can find a way to contact...
To retain and maintain relationships with collaborators, after editing an article, reporters must send it back to them for review before posting, showing respect to the author. When posting, send a PDF and link and full royalties to them. Maintaining prestige, showing civilized behavior with sources, and the team of collaborators also includes arriving on time. Before meeting experts and scientists, reporters must read and learn about their background and career to understand them; learn about their research works, books or participation in activities related to their field of work.
With the experience of reporters, in scientific conferences and major events with the participation of experts, after they speak, you can approach them to show interest and appreciation for the issue they just spoke about to build sympathy and respect for the collaborator...
Ha Van (Written)
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