(NB&CL) The development of social media and technology has changed the way the public consumes news. To survive, newspapers are no longer just a place to simply report news, but must equip themselves with new values, even restructure and restructure. Pursuing a "multi-service" model may be a suggestion for many press offices in Vietnam...
It's time to move beyond reporting
Global journalism is witnessing a real revolution, not just a small transformation but a comprehensive “restructuring”. Newspapers are no longer simply reporting, propagating or reflecting events. Instead, they are becoming “multi-functional service industries”, operating in the fields of media and technology. Many press organizations, including those in Vietnam, have been following this direction. They not only provide journalism - media - technology services, but also expand into areas such as consulting, event organization (for example: sports activities, economic forums, investment cooperation programs...), exploiting their strengths to the fullest.
According to media expert Le Quoc Vinh - Chairman of Le Bros Company, one of the opportunities of "multi-service" is the ability to diversify revenue sources, reduce dependence on traditional advertising revenue which is increasingly declining, and create stable revenue from new services. Press organizations can also make the most of their strengths, exploit their brands, reputation, relationships and experience in the media field to provide services that meet the increasing needs of readers and customers, while increasing interaction, creating closer connection channels with the community.
“The services provided by the press must be more diverse. The press can participate in communication activities for organizations, businesses, and support public communication campaigns. Organizing events is also essential. The press should not work for businesses, but should create events, create information, and provide solutions to economic, social, cultural, and sports issues... These are the products of the press, bringing together stakeholders to create useful content to serve society,” said Mr. Vinh.
Mr. Le Quoc Vinh.
In Vietnam, there are some typical examples: VnExpress is not only a leading online newspaper but also a professional event organizer. Over the years, this newspaper has organized many major events, attracting the attention of the public. A typical example is VnExpress Marathon - one of the largest running races in Vietnam, held annually in many provinces and cities across the country.
In particular, in recent years, Nhan Dan Newspaper - one of the most prestigious Party newspapers in Vietnam has produced many music programs with the participation of international stars; organized the Human Awards to honor individuals and organizations that have made positive contributions to society through credible community initiatives and projects. These events not only affirm the newspaper's reputation but also help Nhan Dan Newspaper become closer and more connected to the public.
Or with Dau Tu Newspaper, which made a pioneering mark when initiating the Vietnam M&A Forum - a prestigious annual event under the auspices of the Ministry of Planning and Investment. This forum has become an important platform for investors, experts and businesses to discuss key issues related to M&A activities in Vietnam. "These activities, beyond traditional news reporting", according to Mr. Vinh, "not only generate revenue but also serve the broader mission of the newspaper, contributing to the overall value of the publication" .
In addition, Mr. Le Quoc Vinh mentioned that charging for content is an important part of diversifying journalism services and is identified as an inevitable trend. “To successfully implement the paid journalism model, a comprehensive strategy across the industry is essential. The feasibility of paid content depends on a clear roadmap and requires a common decision from the entire industry for this model to operate effectively,” Mr. Le Quoc Vinh emphasized.
“Multi-service” to protect journalistic integrity
“Multi-service” brings great development opportunities for the press, but at the same time comes with many challenges. That is fierce competition with rivals in new fields such as technology, consulting, event organization, requiring press organizations to invest heavily in technology, human resources and finance to develop new services.
Professional management capacity is also an important factor in running a multi-functional, multi-disciplinary organization and the risks that may be encountered in the process of investing and developing new services cannot be ignored. Some consequences that may occur if there is no careful preparation include losing focus on the core mission of producing high-quality news, conflicts of interest between the journalistic role and the business role, or a decrease in the reputation of the press organization if not managed well.
When news is no longer considered a strength, journalism needs to change comprehensively if it wants to develop.
In this regard, Mr. Le Quoc Vinh emphasized that projects and events in cooperation with businesses or social organizations are becoming increasingly popular in the context of modern journalism. However, this comes with significant challenges to the integrity of journalism. The boundary between cooperation and “handshake” with businesses needs to be clearly defined to avoid conflicts of interest. “For example, cooperation in media projects about products and services can turn the press into an advertising tool for businesses, instead of reflecting objective and honest information to the public,” Mr. Vinh raised the issue.
He further analyzed: “Similarly, participating in organizing events sponsored by businesses can affect the independence of the press in reporting and evaluating that event. Therefore, establishing codes of conduct and strict control procedures is extremely necessary to protect the integrity of the press.”
Phan Anh
Source: https://www.congluan.vn/mo-hinh-da-dich-vu-huong-di-moi-cua-bao-chi-viet-nam-post334297.html
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