Bac Kan Newspaper on the journey of 100 years of Revolutionary Journalism

BBK - On June 21, 1925, in Guangzhou (China), the patriotic young man Nguyen Ai Quoc founded Thanh Nien, the first newspaper of the Vietnamese proletariat. This event opened the revolutionary press, contributing to the dissemination of Marxism-Leninism, encouraging the entire people to rise up to fight for national independence, build and defend the Fatherland.

Comrades: Le Quoc Minh, member of the Party Central Committee, Editor-in-Chief of Nhan Dan Newspaper, Deputy Head of the Central Propaganda Department, Chairman of the Vietnam Journalists Association ; Hoang Duy Chinh, member of the Party Central Committee, Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, Head of the Provincial National Assembly Delegation; Phuong Thi Thanh, Standing Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, Chairman of the Provincial People's Council took souvenir photos with leaders and officials of Bac Kan Newspaper.

Proud of tradition

Over the years, the Vietnamese revolutionary press has constantly innovated, fulfilling its role as a sharp ideological weapon, a forum for the people, a tool to propagate the Party's guidelines and policies, vividly reflecting social life, discovering and spreading advanced models, fighting against negativity, monitoring society... The press has always accompanied the country's innovation and national development.

In that flow, Bac Kan Newspaper, the mouthpiece of the Provincial Party Committee, had its predecessor as propaganda newspapers published by Bac Kan Provincial Party Committee during the anti-American resistance war, serving revolutionary propaganda, encouraging resistance, and reflecting the lives of the people in the Viet Bac war zone.

In 1965, when Bac Thai province was established, Bac Kan Newspaper merged with Thai Nguyen Newspaper to form Bac Thai Newspaper. In January 1997, along with the re-establishment of the province, Bac Kan Newspaper was re-established, inheriting the local press tradition since 1963.

After 28 years of re-establishment, Bac Kan Newspaper has continuously developed, affirming its role as the mouthpiece of the Party Committee, government and people of all ethnic groups in the province. Currently, the Newspaper has nearly 30 staff, reporters and editors, 100% of whom have university degrees or higher, with 82.1% having intermediate or higher political theory qualifications.

With the role of an “information bridge” between the Party, the government and the people, the Newspaper focuses on propagating the Party’s Resolutions, economic and social development programs, ensuring national defense and security, building the political system, and promoting the image of Bac Kan outside the province. From 1997 to present, the Newspaper has published about 6,200 printed issues (an average of 220 issues/

years). The e-newspaper has developed in a modern direction, currently maintaining about 600 news and articles/month, of which nearly 20% are multimedia products. By June 2025, the e-newspaper will reach an average of 23,000 visits/day, with more than 26,000 followers on digital platforms (Facebook, Zalo). From 2023, the newspaper will promote the production of video reports, open the "Perspective from the grassroots" column, livestream major political and cultural events, contributing to improving the ability to reach readers.

Challenges are the test of courage. The pressure of digital transformation, fierce competition…, are forging a generation of committed and innovative Bac Kan journalists.

Not only doing a good job of propaganda, Bac Kan Newspaper also plays an active role in social criticism, promptly reflecting shortcomings in practice, contributing to helping Party committees and authorities operate more effectively. Over the past 5 years, the Newspaper has won more than 40 press awards at all levels. Typically, during the propaganda campaign for Bac Kan Culture - Tourism Week 2025, the Newspaper published nearly 300 news, articles, videos, and livestreams in 20 days, attracting more than 100,000 views. In particular, during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Newspaper promoted its role as an official information channel, guiding public opinion, spreading the spirit of solidarity and confidence in overcoming the pandemic. More than 1,000 press works were published during the peak period of epidemic prevention and control.

Charity and humanitarian images of Bac Kan Newspaper.

In addition to its political mission, Bac Kan Newspaper also actively participates in social and charitable activities: Supporting the Gratitude Fund, the Fund for the Poor, the Covid-19 Prevention Fund... with a total amount of nearly 100 million VND. The Newspaper also mobilized to donate money and gifts to people affected by natural disasters and serious illnesses worth more than 60 million VND, donated 200 life jackets, connected with Dong Nai Newspaper to award scholarships worth more than 100 million VND, sponsored the construction of a kindergarten in Vu Muon commune worth about 300 million VND. Connected to build 5 Great Solidarity houses, built a school in Bang Phuc commune with a total cost of more than 600 million VND, mobilized and connected with sponsors to support more than 200 million VND to eliminate 03 temporary houses.

Staying Strong in the Digital Age

In addition to the achievements, Bac Kan Newspaper is also facing many challenges. Human resources are limited, technical equipment is outdated, while traditional press is facing fierce competition from social networks and new media platforms.

The implementation of the policy of merging press agencies according to Resolution 18-NQ/TW, including Newspapers, Radio and Television Stations, and Literature and Arts Magazines of the two provinces of Bac Kan and Thai Nguyen, is both an important opportunity to form a modern media complex and a great challenge in terms of organization and operation, requiring unity, smooth coordination, innovation and professionalism.

In the era of multi-dimensional information, Bac Kan Newspaper maintains its role as an official voice, spreading information and positive spirit.

The pressure of digital transformation also places high demands on reporters and editors, requiring the ability to work on multiple platforms and produce multimedia content. Meanwhile, many people are still limited in digital skills, foreign languages, and international understanding, important factors in the modern journalism environment.

In the context of complex and multi-dimensional information, the emergence of fake news and toxic news on cyberspace requires journalists to maintain their courage, professional ethics and a firm political stance. As Mr. Bui Van Khiem, Head of the Editorial Secretary Office shared: “Doing local journalism is both close to the people and difficult to maintain the passion for the profession. But the more difficult it is, the more creative and dedicated we must be to deserve the trust of our readers.”

The 100th anniversary of Thanh Nien Newspaper is a proud milestone of Vietnam's revolutionary press. Bac Kan Newspaper, with its admirable tradition, innovative spirit and dedication, will continue to be the trusted voice of the Party Committee, government and people of all ethnic groups in the province. Although there are many challenges ahead, Bac Kan journalists, with confidence in their path, vow to maintain the flame of passion for the profession, stick with reality, and constantly innovate to contribute to building a professional, humane, modern press that serves the Fatherland and the People./.

Heather

Source: https://baobackan.vn/bao-bac-kan-tren-hanh-trinh-100-nam-bao-chi-cach-mang-post71531.html