The press is a primary and crucial source of information on the information front.

Delegates attending the closing ceremony.

On the morning of March 17th, the 2024 National Press Conference, jointly organized by the Vietnam Journalists Association ; the Central Propaganda Department; the Ministry of Information and Communications; the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism; and the People's Committee of Ho Chi Minh City, concluded its program and officially closed.

Attending the closing ceremony were: Nguyen Trong Nghia, Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam and Head of the Central Propaganda Department; Tran Luu Quang, Member of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam and Deputy Prime Minister; Le Quoc Minh, Editor-in-Chief of Nhan Dan Newspaper, Deputy Head of the Central Propaganda Department, and President of the Vietnam Journalists Association; along with representatives from the leadership of ministries, departments, localities, and the Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee…

Speaking at the closing ceremony, Head of the Central Propaganda Department Nguyen Trong Nghia congratulated and commended the successes of the 2024 National Press Conference. He emphasized that the conference had spread the spirit and strength of journalistic innovation to all regions, from border areas to islands, from cities to rural areas, in line with the theme "Vietnamese Journalism - Pioneering and Innovating for the Revolutionary Cause of the Party and the People"; creating new creative impetus for journalists nationwide.

The Secretary of the Central Committee of the Party and Head of the Central Propaganda Department delivered a speech at the closing ceremony.

Reaffirming the theme of the 2024 National Press Conference as "Vietnamese Journalism - Pioneering and Innovating for the Revolutionary Cause of the Party and the People," the Head of the Central Propaganda Department, Nguyen Trong Nghia, analyzed: Pioneering in information, propaganda, and guiding public opinion on important political , economic, social, defense, security, and foreign affairs tasks of the country. Innovating in leadership and management methods, in information content, in production and publishing processes, in business production, and diversifying revenue sources so that journalism can maintain its position and control, becoming the main and important source of information on the information and communication front, especially in cyberspace. All these tasks are directed towards the noble goal of "For the revolutionary cause of the Party and the People."

“The message of the Press Festival was clearly expressed through practical and engaging events, exhibitions, and professional forums, contributing to the opening of new knowledge; strengthening the spirit of solidarity among press agencies and local journalists' associations; and enhancing the close relationship between the press and the public. The display and introduction of OCOP products from various localities at this year's Press Festival helped businesses enhance their brands and widely promote their products; giving the public in Ho Chi Minh City and the whole country the opportunity to experience and use characteristic products from many regions across the country – this also reflects the spirit of the press accompanying businesses in economic and social development. Along with that were special cultural and artistic programs, awarding Spring press prizes, and meaningful sports and arts competitions for journalists,” Comrade Nguyen Trong Nghia stated.

The leaders presented awards to media agencies in the Outstanding Exhibition Booth category at the Press Festival.

According to Nguyen Trong Nghia, Head of the Central Propaganda Department, the Vietnam Journalists Association's first-ever nationwide press forum on media and journalism topics is very vibrant and practical for journalists across the country. The suggestions and proposals at the forum serve as an important basis for leadership, management, and association bodies to research, absorb, and supplement, and then submit to competent authorities for improvement of mechanisms and policies for the press; they also provide valuable experience for media organizations to learn from, find solutions, and determine directions for their own media outlets.

2024 is a very important year in implementing the Resolution of the 13th National Congress of the Party and looking forward to the 14th National Congress of the Party, a year commemorating many important events of the country; along with that is the completion of amendments and additions to the Press Law and the preliminary review of the 5-year implementation of the Government's National Plan for the Development and Management of the Press. Comrade Nguyen Trong Nghia hoped that press agencies would focus on effectively disseminating information about the implementation of socio-economic development tasks in 2024; closely follow the pulse of life to reflect, contribute, create, and spread good and humane values in society; and bring policies, laws, and regulations into life, meeting the aspirations of all citizens.

Awards for the most impressive Tet (Lunar New Year) radio broadcasts were presented at the Press Conference.

Press agencies need to continue promoting digital transformation, applying modern technology, investing in and upgrading equipment and facilities, and constantly innovating in the production and broadcasting of programs, news, and articles; strengthening the building of a clean and strong Party; continuously cultivating and enhancing the political acumen, revolutionary ethics, and professional skills of journalists; and being more determined to build each press agency into a model cultural institution. Heads of press agencies and magazines need to enhance their roles and responsibilities within their duties and powers, especially in implementing legal regulations on the press, particularly in adhering to their principles and objectives; and implement solutions to manage and create favorable conditions for reporters and editors to work in accordance with regulations. Scientifically and strictly control the activities of representative offices, resident reporters, and collaborators, ensuring that their operations comply with the Press Law and related legal documents.

Presenting the awards for the most impressive Lunar New Year television programs.

On behalf of the Vietnam Journalists Association, Comrade Nguyen Trong Nghia suggested promoting the emulation movement to build culturally sound media organizations and journalistic culture; organizing the activities of the Council for Handling Violations of the Code of Professional Ethics for Vietnamese Journalists; strengthening monitoring, supervision, inspection, conclusions, and handling of violations of professional ethics and the Code of Conduct for Social Media Use by Vietnamese journalists. Associations at all levels, from the central to local levels, should continue to innovate in political and ideological education. It is necessary to strengthen the organization of seminars, training courses, and workshops to develop modern journalistic skills and methods of journalistic work in the digital environment; and to promote, disseminate, and educate members and journalists nationwide on improving professional ethics and appropriate behavior on social media.

For each journalist, the Head of the Central Propaganda Department suggested that they need to have a deeper understanding of their role, position, function, and responsibilities in the Vietnamese Revolutionary Press; constantly cultivate and enhance their political acumen, professional ethics, expertise, and technological skills; and develop both talent and virtue to be "Bright Eyes, Pure Heart, Sharp Pen" - worthy of being a pioneering soldier on the ideological and cultural front of the Party, State, and People.

The online newspaper of the Communist Party of Vietnam received the Third Prize for the most impressive Tet (Lunar New Year) electronic interface category at the Press Conference.

The 2024 National Press Conference attracted 112 exhibition booths showcasing Spring newspaper publications and other outstanding press publications from 2023 and the first quarter of 2024. It brought together over 600 central and local press agencies, Vietnam Journalists Association branches in 63 provinces and cities nationwide, and included participation from journalism training and development units, as well as exhibition areas for providers of modern press and media equipment.

The 2024 National Press Conference will for the first time organize a National Press Forum with the participation of over 60 speakers, including experienced journalists, leaders of leading Vietnamese media organizations, and reputable international media experts. The National Press Forum is a high-quality professional forum with 10 discussion sessions on hot topics of interest to the press, such as: Enhancing Party principles and guidance in journalistic activities; Building a journalistic culture; Data journalism and superior content strategies...

Cultural program at the closing ceremony of the 2024 National Press Conference.

In addition, the 2024 Press Festival also offers the public unique cultural and artistic programs, awards ceremonies for Spring journalism, and the Journalists & Public Opinion Cup football tournament. Notably, this year's Press Festival features 64 booths showcasing OCOP products from 50 provinces and centrally-governed cities, demonstrating the appeal and role of media and journalism in promoting the economy.

Within the framework of this year's National Press Conference, the Organizing Committee and the Awards Council decided to award 11 A prizes, 29 B prizes, 53 C prizes, and 88 Consolation prizes to press agencies in 4 categories: Outstanding Exhibition Booth; Impressive Tet Radio Program; Impressive Tet Television Program; Impressive Tet Electronic Interface; and Impressive Tet Newspaper Cover.

At the 2024 National Press Conference, the Vietnam Communist Party's online newspaper was honored to receive the Third Prize for the most impressive Tet (Lunar New Year) electronic interface and the Encouragement Prize for the outstanding exhibition booth.

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