The television report “Oasis of Peace” - which Nguyen Quang Khanh and his colleagues at the Military Radio and Television Center Association produced during their days in South Sudan - is one such work. The report was awarded the B prize of the 2022 National Press Award, showing viewers that positivity, kindness and goodness have great power.
Working in harsh environments
To produce this work, he and his crew went on a reporting trip to Bentiu - one of the major bases of the United Nations Peacekeeping Mission in South Sudan. This was also his first overseas reporting trip, so preparations were made quite carefully. Recording equipment, audio recording devices and laptops were used to ensure that he could perform two tasks well: reporting news and making long-form works during this work trip.
South Sudan is a region of conflict and instability. Even before the team set off, there was a violent incident in the civilian support area (POC) near the location of Vietnam's Level 2 Field Hospital No. 3. However, the spirit of the soldier who went to carry out the mission entrusted by the agency made him feel quite comfortable.
Journalist Nguyen Quang Khanh talks with local security forces.
In fact, the topic of the Green Berets is not new, so he and his colleagues are eager to create journalistic works with their own mark. He spent time watching many works by seniors on this topic and told himself to actively observe, look for details, and actively talk... when coming to this area.
That is the preparation, however, not all preparations are effective. Journalist Nguyen Quang Khanh shared: South Sudan is always plagued by malaria, the malaria virus lasts for a long time and causes serious harm to the body. We did not have information about this risk even though the Ministry of Defense had previously organized yellow fever vaccinations (also a common disease in South Sudan), so we did not prepare long-sleeved clothes, malaria medicine and mosquito spray.
“When we first arrived here, the image of doctors wearing socks, long-sleeved uniforms, and even coats while sleeping under mosquito nets made us remember forever. In the early days, when it was dark, I had to prepare news articles under mosquito nets. The crew members had to remind each other to take anti-malaria pills every day. Luckily, we were working in the Vietnam Level 2 Field Hospital, so this risk was quickly resolved,” Nguyen Quang Khanh recalled.
The weather in South Sudan can be hotter than 40 degrees during the day, but at night the temperature drops very low, the large temperature range makes anyone's health relatively affected. Security issues in the base are quite good, however, when going outside the base and contacting the local authorities and people, each soldier must strictly follow the coordination and instructions of the Vietnam Field Hospital to minimize possible risks.
Spreading the kindness of Vietnamese blue beret soldiers
Although the report “Oasis of Peace” is only over 20 minutes long, life at the Vietnam Level 2 Field Hospital in South Sudan is like a colorful picture. Every detail that the crew put into the product is an emotional and impressive detail. That is the image of the air ambulance force (AMET). They are the ones who will provide first aid and transport seriously ill patients by helicopter to higher-level hospitals. The UNISFA mission’s helicopters are old and are used frequently, and the South Sudan area is in conflict, so the air ambulance mission is quite dangerous. However, they have completed this mission very well.
Journalist Nguyen Quang Khanh interviews Vietnamese Blue Beret doctors.
Mr. Quang Khanh said: They once shared that when they took the patient to the plane, even though they faced danger, they were still “not afraid of death” . Comparing the results of their mission as well as their daily lives, I realized that “not afraid of death” here is not a careless or arrogant attitude, but a statement made from hearts that love life immensely. Because they love life and are given the mission of healing and saving people by life, they perform their mission with such a positive and courageous attitude. That is also the inspiration for me to make my product “Oasis of Peace” .
Not a thorny investigative report, “Oasis of Peace” talks about positivity, kindness and kindness have great power. Kindness can change not only the health condition but also the attitude of the young man Toungod Bayak from South Sudan. It can help precious lives to be born in dangerous situations; and help the Level 2 Field Hospital No. 3 of Vietnam to be steadfast in overcoming difficulties and completing its mission well, despite many challenges. Although kindness and positivity have such great power, they are transmitted and felt very easily, from seemingly the smallest actions.
Journalist Nguyen Quang Khanh visits a support area for residents in Bentiu, South Sudan.
Sharing his experience in the profession, journalist Quang Khanh said: As a young reporter and still having a lot to learn about the television industry, I think that to have a good television work is a combination of many factors. First of all, impressive images and music, editing that suits the audience's taste, good stories, rich in details... If any of these factors are not guaranteed, the television work will not be attractive.
“However, to have a product that meets all of those factors, a TV reporter must of course have good professional expertise, good aesthetics, be sensitive to life, make efforts in journalism and a very important factor is luck” - reporter Quang Khanh shared more.
Le Tam
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