Editor-in-Chief Nguyen Van Minh: Matches and Fire in the Hands of Journalism Students

Matchstick Theory
The meeting was attended by leaders of several specialized departments and a group of interns at the agency, to review the results of the student group after a period of internship at the Industry and Trade Newspaper, thereby suggesting development directions for journalism.

Overview of the meeting. Photo: Quoc Viet

In an open atmosphere, the trainee reporters shared their feelings about their internship experience at a professional press agency, and expressed their respect and gratitude for the dedicated guidance of veteran reporters at Cong Thuong Newspaper. The students also expressed their desire to continue their career in journalism and their desire to learn and develop in a professional and creative environment.

On the 10th floor of the Cong Thuong Newspaper headquarters, the chatter of more than a dozen interns suddenly stopped when Editor-in-Chief Nguyen Van Minh walked in. Without a microphone or a chair, he opened the meeting in a unique way: “Each of you is a match. The question is: who will light it? And light it for what?”

The matchstick – a simple but haunting image – is also the theoretical model he often uses to open up dialogue with young people. He does not “lecture”. He does not explain. He gives each student exactly 60 seconds to talk about themselves, their dreams and concerns about writing. No one is judged. But each one clearly feels: journalism is not just about words – it is about courage.

Interns attentively listen to Editor-in-Chief Nguyen Van Minh's sharing about journalism. Photo: Quoc Viet

Tell the seedling about the storm
After the sharing, he sat quietly listening to two department-level officers – who directly guided the students – speak honestly and thoroughly about the potential, personality and prospects of each student. The atmosphere at that time was like a “career consultation”, where each seedling was examined through the lens of expertise and journalistic love.

Then he began to share. His voice was low, his eyes heavy with thought. “The journalism profession is in the midst of unprecedented squeezes in modern history.”

He mentioned the revolution of streamlining the apparatus, where a series of newsrooms were merged and dissolved, where tens of thousands of journalists quietly left the profession. A generation of journalists has passed away. And if there is no innovation, no transformation - many more will be left behind.

But then he looked straight at the students, his eyes shining with confidence:

“With the Industry and Trade Newspaper, we do not choose to shrink. We streamline the apparatus – but must add youthful vitality. We accompany the call of General Secretary To Lam on ‘Digital Education for the People’, on the strong application of artificial intelligence – but with direction and courage.”

He does not hide his hope that today’s generation of students will be the pioneers in digital transformation, the creators of new, more creative, more approachable, and more intelligent journalism models. But to do so, one cannot enter journalism with a “playing around” mentality.

“Journalism is a creative day – but also a tiring one,” he advised.

“Reporters cannot do journalism by habit. Every article is a commitment to truth and conscience. There must be no superficiality. There must be no sloppiness.”

Editor-in-Chief Nguyen Van Minh emphasized that for young reporters who are passionate and determined to pursue journalism, it is important to set clear and specific goals: Not just stopping at completing daily tasks, but always aiming to become a famous journalist. He encouraged young reporters to set big ambitions, constantly improve their professional qualifications and train themselves to make their own mark in the journalism industry.

The Editor-in-Chief of the Industry and Trade Newspaper commented: “Journalism is one of the professions that requires the highest level of creativity, self-study and self-improvement.” Therefore, he hopes that the young generation of reporters must always strive to learn and innovate, not letting themselves fall behind in the digital age.

Editor-in-Chief Nguyen Van Minh himself constantly learns and improves his profession, innovates and creates with the goal of developing Cong Thuong Newspaper.

Editor-in-Chief Nguyen Van Minh points out the challenges of journalism that the young generation of reporters must face. Photo: Quoc Viet

In addition, he commented: In order for reporters and journalists today to work effectively, they must be familiar with and proficient in using AI and digital tools in the digital transformation era. AI is currently the important and decisive key to helping the press continue to develop amidst numerous difficulties.

He believes that the young generation of reporters must be multi-talented, learning and working continuously. Editor-in-Chief Nguyen Van Minh hopes that young reporters will be the factor creating a breakthrough for the innovation and development of the Industry and Trade Newspaper.

The Editor-in-Chief directs and leads departments to continue to help, guide and create conditions for the student interns to produce quality journalism products to serve readers.

Technology cannot replace the heart

In the context of the general difficulties of the national press, recruiting new human resources is currently a difficult problem for leaders. However, to continue to develop Cong Thuong Newspaper further, Editor-in-Chief Nguyen Van Minh believes that Cong Thuong Newspaper still needs to supplement and train new human resources.

Then he paused, his eyes sweeping the room, as if to etch each word into the young people's memories:

“Artificial intelligence can write for you. But courage, conscience and responsibility – no technology can replace them.

If you want to become a real journalist, you must write with all your heart, mind, pen and soul.

As a famous person said: 'Hit your heart – that is where the genius lies!'”

No one applauded. But some eyes were filled with tears. Some matches began to light.

At the end of the discussion, Editor-in-Chief Nguyen Van Minh gave directions for the next period for the group of interns. He expressed his encouragement and sent a message that "the doors of Cong Thuong Newspaper are always open to welcome young, enthusiastic and passionate people who love journalism".

Tran Quynh

Source: https://congthuong.vn/tong-bien-tap-nguyen-van-minh-que-diem-va-ngon-lua-tren-tay-sinh-vien-bao-chi-380497.html