Journalist Ho Tri and the story of dedicated and safe investigative journalism

Just counting the past 10 years, journalist Ho Tri's list of achievements is impressive: A Prize at the National Press Awards; Golden Kite Award and gold and silver medals at the National Television Festival... A series of impressive reports and documentaries were continuously released to conquer the most demanding viewers, such as: "The Forest Calls for Help", "How Can Sick Cows "Cross the Fence" to Get Support from Local People", "Zero-Dong Tour", "The War Between Domestic and Foreign Bees in Ha Giang Has Yet to End", "Is There a Village Chief Embezzling Flood Relief Funds in Quang Binh"...

To launch reports lasting just over ten minutes, Ho Tri and his colleagues spent months. First of all, they had to find the topic, which could be a reflection of the people or a chance discovery by Ho Tri. From small clues, Ho Tri and his colleagues gradually found the "pieces" to connect into a story to tell the public, finding the truth of the matter.

The reporter and the story of the investigative reporter, safety photo 1 — Journalist Ho Tri received the A prize of the 2022 National Press Award. Photo: NVCC

For investigative reporters, especially those in the television industry, there is no other way than for Ho Tri to incarnate himself and infiltrate the story to expose the scams of zero-dollar tours, the destruction of the Central Highlands forests, and the abuse of young girls. In particular, in the work “Trap”, he himself, without fear of danger to his life, infiltrated the den of human traffickers, learned the rules of guarding and protecting, and drew up an escape plan.
The film has vivid, detailed images of victims working online scams, being held in solitary confinement, because journalist Ho Tri himself played the role of a victim of trafficking. Some scenes show victims weaving ropes from blanket covers to escape, which are footage of victims filmed with mobile phones under the remote guidance of journalist Ho Tri. In particular, the film has a scene in the dark with dialogue from journalist Ho Tri himself leading some victims to successfully escape.

What journalist Ho Tri and his colleagues always keep in mind is to maintain journalistic ethics. Journalists penetrate the story but do not influence it to distort the truth. Journalists are simply “secretaries” who record the story truthfully and present it in an impressive and attractive way to the public. Many colleagues share that it seems that Ho Tri was born to be an investigative reporter. He is not only brave and dedicated, but also clever and meticulous in planning to uncover the story while still protecting himself and his subjects.

Journalist Ho Tri confided: His success in his career is thanks to the support of leaders at all levels of Vietnam Television; the solidarity of his colleagues, especially his wife - investigative journalist Vu Hong Anh; and the help of people who put their full trust in the VTV brand.

The reporter and the story of the investigative reporter, safety photo 2 — Journalist Ho Tri actively participates in teaching, training, and speaking about journalism and media. Photo: NVCC

In addition to journalism, journalist Ho Tri also actively participates in teaching and training investigative journalism at the College of Television, Hanoi University of Culture, Military University of Culture and Arts, Academy of Journalism and Communication, University of Education (Da Nang University) ... with the desire to inspire young journalists to commit. He also actively provides media advice to domestic and foreign organizations on labor issues, anti-child abuse ...

We believe that with his youth and passion for journalism, many quality investigative journalism works with great influence by journalist Ho Tri will continue to be published with the sole purpose of aiming at humane things, using beauty to eliminate ugliness.

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