Journalists must constantly innovate to avoid falling behind and being eliminated.

Dr. Pham Chien Thang, Head of the Faculty of Journalism and Communication, University of Science - Thai Nguyen University, expressed his opinion that in order to avoid being eliminated, journalists need to continuously learn, update new knowledge and skills and not be afraid of change.

Dr. Pham Chien Thang believes that journalists need to continuously learn, update new knowledge and skills and not be afraid of change. (Photo: NVCC)

Where the customers are, the press will reach them

Digital transformation is aimed at customers - readers. Wherever customers are, newspapers must find a way to reach them. From your perspective, what is the current reality of digital transformation of newspapers in our country?

Digital transformation is not only a global trend but also a mandatory requirement to survive and develop in an increasingly digital world. Vietnam is no exception to this rule.

In the context of digital technology and the Internet becoming an indispensable part of daily life, traditional press in Vietnam has had to adapt to this reality.

Specifically, newspapers, TV channels, radio stations, etc. have all built websites, mobile applications and other digital media channels to expand their readership and meet the increasingly diverse and complex information needs of consumers.

Digital transformation in Vietnamese journalism does not stop at "reporting news" but also in "producing news". New content production methods, such as through big data analysis and artificial intelligence (AI), have helped newspapers create high-quality, more engaging content that suits readers' tastes.

However, digital transformation also poses many challenges. Newspapers need to face increasing competitive pressure from new digital media platforms such as Facebook, YouTube, TikTok...

Furthermore, the growing popularity of online advertising has reduced income from traditional advertising, causing financial difficulties for newspapers.

In my view, the digital transformation of journalism in Vietnam is currently taking place with many positive steps but there are still many challenges to overcome. To successfully transform digitally, journalism needs to seize the opportunities from digital technology, while finding ways to solve the difficulties and barriers that this process brings.

In the context of strong digital transformation, what skills do journalists need to be equipped with? How must they "transform" to avoid being out of sync and eliminated?

Digital transformation is bringing many opportunities but at the same time posing new requirements for journalists. To adapt to this trend, in my opinion, journalists need to equip themselves with some skills.

First, journalists need to know how to use new digital tools such as social platforms, mobile apps, data analytics tools and AI technology.

Second , writing for digital platforms requires a different language. Articles need to be short, concise, and engaging to capture the reader’s attention.

Third, in the digital world, content includes not only text, but also images, videos, and sometimes interactive elements. Journalists need to be skilled at creating multimedia content to attract and retain readers.

Fourth , today, data plays a vital role in understanding audience preferences and creating relevant content. Journalists need to know how to analyze data to make content decisions.

Fifth , with the development of digital technology, protecting the information and privacy of viewers and listeners is increasingly important. Journalists need to have a clear understanding of the principles and regulations related to privacy and cybersecurity.

Thus, in order to avoid being eliminated, journalists need to continuously learn, update their knowledge and skills, and not be afraid of change. They also need to be open to technology and use it as a tool to improve the quality of their work. This "transformation" process not only requires the efforts of each journalist but also requires support from press agencies, through training and skill development programs.

Change in thinking and people

To transform digitally, we must first change to digital thinking and start with people. So in what direction should journalists change, according to you?

Yes, digital transformation requires not only the application of technology but also changes in thinking and people. Below are some directions in which journalists need to change.

First, journalists need to embrace a digital mindset, which includes understanding and embracing the changes that digital technology brings and how it is transforming journalism. This could include learning about how consumers consume digital content, how to use data to better understand users, and how to adopt and apply new technology in their work.

Journalists need to upgrade their technology skills to adapt to the digital transformation. This can include learning how to use new digital tools, from social platforms to data analytics tools, and understanding how technology can be used to create and distribute content.

Journalists need to be willing to change and learn. The rapid changes in the digital world require flexibility and willingness to change. Journalists need to be open to change and constantly learn, update their knowledge and skills to avoid being left behind.

When interacting with digital platforms, journalists must also be aware of user privacy and comply with data protection regulations.

User-centric thinking. In the digital world, user experience is of utmost importance. Journalists need to focus on creating content and services that deliver value to users, based on an understanding of their needs and desires.

These changes are a long process, requiring perseverance and the participation of the entire press agency.

The digital age brings many opportunities as well as challenges for journalists. (Illustration: Internet)

Do you think that journalists in the information age will have more "space" to "act" but also face more challenges?

I agree with this statement. The information age brings many new opportunities but also creates many challenges for journalists.

In terms of opportunities, digital technology has expanded the “playground” for journalists. No longer limited to writing articles on paper, journalists can now create content in many different forms such as videos, podcasts, infographics, and even interactive content.

They can also use technology to deliver their content to a large audience around the world through the vast Internet. In addition, technology also helps journalists capture readers' opinions and thoughts through data analysis tools, helping them create more relevant and interesting content.

However, the information age also creates many challenges. One of the biggest challenges is competition from many different sources of information.

Consumers today have so many options for consuming information that journalists have to work harder to capture their attention. Moreover, creating quality content in an information overloaded environment is also a challenge.

Another challenge is ensuring accuracy and fairness in journalism. In the information age, misinformation and fake news can spread quickly, with serious consequences. Therefore, journalists must make fact-checking and ensuring accuracy a top priority.

Finally, protecting user data and privacy is also a challenge. Journalists need to understand data protection regulations and comply with them.

In general, journalists of the information age need to adapt and develop new skills to cope with both the opportunities and challenges that the new era brings.

Journalists must adapt and develop new strategies.

How has the development of technology and the Internet created a different generation of journalists?

The development of technology and the Internet has not only changed the way we receive information but has also created a whole new generation of journalists. In my opinion, technology has influenced this generation.

Multimedia Journalist: In the past, journalists specialized in a specific type of media, writing for a newspaper, working in a studio, or producing video. Today, thanks to technology, journalists can work across a variety of media. They can write articles, create videos, produce podcasts, and use social media to distribute content.

Data Analyst Journalist: Technology has created a huge amount of data, and journalists now need to know how to use this data to do their jobs. They use data to analyze trends, understand audiences, and create research-based content.

The “customer service” journalist: The Internet has allowed journalists to interact directly with their readers. Therefore, they must focus on creating content that is relevant to the needs and desires of users and must be willing to receive feedback from the community.

Tech Journalists: Modern journalists use a variety of technology tools to enhance their work, from data analytics tools to apps that help them organize their work and communicate with colleagues.

Online Journalists: Instead of working for traditional newspapers or radio or television stations, many journalists now work for news websites, blogs or social media platforms.

In short, the new generation of journalists must not only adapt but also know how to use technology to improve their work and better serve their "customers".

How will genuine journalists compete with “social media journalists” and “citizen journalists”?

In today's digital world, professional journalists are competing with a wide range of information sources, including "social media journalists" and "citizen journalists." This requires them to adapt and develop new strategies.

One thing that professional journalists can master is the quality and reliability of the content they produce. They are trained in journalistic principles such as accuracy, fairness, and impartiality, and have the skills to check facts and keep information from being misrepresented.

As I said, journalists can leverage technology and data to improve their content. This can help them reach a larger audience and create content that is more relevant to their “customers.”

On social media, readers are not only consumers of content but can also interact directly. Journalists can take advantage of this by building relationships with readers, receiving feedback from them, and even creating content with them.

Finally, journalists need to constantly learn and innovate so as not to fall behind new trends.

Rather, professional journalists should leverage technology, build relationships with audiences, and continually learn and innovate. This way, they can compete fairly with “social media journalists” and “citizen journalists” by affirming the quality of their work, their personal reputation, and their professionalism.

Thank you!

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