1. The end of the year and the beginning of Tet. The common mentality of everyone, no matter what, whether they have just won the lottery, whether they are unemployed and have no money to buy Tet, but then everyone breathes a sigh of relief: " Tet is here". Tet, from ancient times until now, no matter what economic and social form humanity has gone through, people's mood is always the same, still the joy, the aspiration: "On the afternoon of the thirtieth, the debt is endless, kicking the poor man out the door / On the morning of the first, drunk, raising hands to carry the lucky god into the house".
Only then can people “chill” most enthusiastically, and the equivalent word among young people today is “unleash” – which can be roughly understood as relaxing, enjoying all the joys of life; if they want to do that, then they will not be under any pressure. Because if during the time of enjoying spring and Tet, there is still something in the heart, how can it be called “chill”?
VNA reporters working during Tet. Photo: VNA
2. There is a question like this: "Tet chill in the eyes of journalists", in other words, how will journalists "chill"? A very interesting and attractive question for readers. To answer this question, first of all, it is necessary to see that, unlike all common professions in society, journalists are people who pursue a profession that is "unique", of course this is a self-deprecating and humorous way of speaking.
For example, even though it is also Tet, also present at the amusement park, Tet market or Spring flower festival... while everyone goes there to receive, visit the beauty, shop according to their needs... what about journalists? Of course, journalists are the same, but the things/events there are received from many different angles, not just looking, dropping by wherever they like, but it is a purposeful observation.
From there, they must research thoroughly, only then can they provide accurate and complete information to readers; or encountering a current event/thing is also an excuse for journalists to present their views and opinions to contribute to building a better society. Obviously, when celebrating spring, journalists are like everyone else, but their mindset is different. Is this what readers request? No, because as journalists, they themselves realize that they have to be responsible for a certain issue. So, that request comes from the awareness of the journalism profession that forces them to do so.
When writing these lines, I suddenly remembered the culturalist and journalist Phan Khoi when he came from Quang Nam to work as a journalist in Saigon. On the afternoon of the 30th day of the Lunar New Year, Ky Ty (1929), he went to the Tet market like everyone else, but because he was a journalist, he also had to “work”. Journalists today, in the 21st century, if they truly love their job, are the same. Here, I quote the article he wrote that year not only because it is relevant but also because it shows that journalists, on any day of the year, including Tet, do not allow themselves to… relax.
VNA reporters working during Tet. Photo: VNA
Mr. Phan Khoi wrote: “On the thirtieth, I went to the Tet market and saw a row of men selling the same statues. Each one depicted a “red-faced chili-eating man”, on the other side was a young and handsome man, and on the other side was a man like Cha Va holding “a very large pancake knife”. This was the same as everyone else’s comment, but as a journalist, he did not stop at just reflecting, Mr. Phan Khoi continued writing:
“They said it was a statue of Quan Cong, or of Duc Quan Thanh. People bought it like clapping their hands, and in a moment it was all gone. Only then did we realize that our Southern people worship Quan Thanh very much. Thinking about it, I feel sorry for Mr. Tran Hung Dao. Mr. Tran Hung Dao was an Annamese, who had the merit of defeating the enemy for our country, and he also spoke of loyalty and talent, no less than Mr. Quan Vo; Mr. Hung Dao also became a saint in Kiep Bac, no different from that red-faced man who became a saint in Ngoc Tuyen mountain. Yet our Annamese people only worship him in a few areas in Bac Ky, and nowhere else worships him. Returning to worshiping the Saint Quan is like a foreigner to our Annamese” (Than Chung Newspaper, Tet Ky Ty Issue - February 7, 1929).
So, when going to the Tet market in that state of mind, can journalists "chill"? I think not. Because as we know, the nature of journalism is like that, in a life full of information, even information that happens quickly, can they be indifferent, "cover their ears and close their eyes" to enjoy the relaxation of "letting loose"?
Cannot.
3. That said, journalists are always busy with work, even on Tet holidays? How to affirm that depends on one's mindset and professional behavior. However, one thing is certain, in order to be able to "chill" on Tet, I think that any journalist would want a Tet holiday to take place peacefully, safely, meaning that in society there are no "incidents" that journalists have to immediately work on whether they want to or not. I know there are colleagues who face situations that surprise their family and friends. That, as soon as they return home for Tet, they can relax with their family, but then my friend hurriedly... leaves home.
Why?
Simply because at that moment, he was informed that something serious had just happened. That is, in a certain neighborhood, there had just been a series of deafening fireworks, despite the ban on fireworks issued by the Government. For normal people, they could just listen to it, make a few comments, and then continue to "chill" without anyone complaining. Journalists cannot. The newsroom may not know what had just happened, and may not have assigned them to "work" and promptly report it to the newspaper, but with the responsibility of a journalist, how can they stand indifferently and stand outside?
So, during Tet, can journalists “let loose”, relax and enjoy all the pleasures like everyone else? I think it is very difficult. Although no one forbids them from having the right to “let loose and go home early in the morning”, turn off their phones, have fun as they please, get drunk in the morning and drunk in the afternoon… but they must also be aware of their duties. Therefore, when speaking, every journalist wishes for a peaceful and safe Tet, meaning that there are no “incidents” in society - that is, only then can they have peace of mind and enjoy themselves like everyone else.
Do you agree?
4. The way of doing journalism today is different from the past. Information technology has supported journalists with more advantages in their profession. Therefore, in order for journalists to be able to "chill" as they wish, what do they wish for in this day and age? I think they always want "uninterrupted transmission", good communication so that they can handle all news articles during the relaxing days of Tet.
What do journalists think about everyone's "chill" Tet? It seems that it is also a dream in the general mindset of society, still thinking about a prosperous, peaceful life, with a stable income to join in the joy of the whole country celebrating Spring.
Le Minh Quoc
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