The press must help good things flourish.

Every journalist, in the course of their profession, always prioritizes conscience and responsibility. An article can improve a situation, but if it's not truthful, it can worsen it. A journalist's tool is the pen. The pen draws society's attention, allowing good to flourish and evil to diminish...

Reporter Ngoc Lan working in the Phan Thiet mangrove forest.

Journalism is a modern form of mass media that plays a crucial role in social life. Journalistic information influences the thoughts and feelings of the public, thereby changing their perceptions, attitudes, and behaviors. Through journalistic works, readers see the struggles of journalists in difficult situations, reporting on and presenting images of impoverished families, disabled people, orphans, and areas affected by natural disasters. This often garners significant support, both spiritual and material, for each of these cases. No one assigns them this responsibility, but journalists cultivate their moral character, rejecting all schemes and temptations, striving for a pure heart and deserving the trust of the Party and the people.

Reporters from Binh Thuan Newspaper are at work (photo by Ngoc Lan)

However, within the journalistic community, there are still instances of "a rotten apple spoiling the barrel," diminishing the credibility of journalism in society and damaging the honor of genuine journalists. Therefore, exactly one year ago, on the occasion of Vietnam Revolutionary Press Day, the Central Propaganda Department, the Ministry of Information and Communications, the Vietnam Journalists Association , and the Nhan Dan Newspaper launched a campaign to build a cultural environment within media organizations, announcing criteria for building culturally sound media organizations and culturally sound journalists, with 6 points for media organizations and 6 points for journalists.

The phrase "culture in journalism" sounds broad and abstract, but in essence, to become a cultural journalist, one must possess three essential elements: impeccable professional ethics, respect for the law, and talent. As Associate Professor Dr. Do Thi Thu Hang, Head of the Professional Affairs Committee of the Vietnam Journalists Association, put it: "Humanistic journalism is journalism that fulfills its responsibilities, principles, and objectives, operates in accordance with the law, and considers the impact of information on readers and on the subjects themselves."

My teacher – journalist Nguyen The Thinh, former head of the Thanh Nien newspaper's Central Vietnam office – has always reminded us of the "Law of Attraction" in his lectures over 10 years ago and even now. "The way a person thinks determines how the cosmic energy attracts them. Therefore, you must always think positively to have positive energy. And every issue should have a 'positive response,' meaning you must find the positive, the good in that negative situation."

In the past, before the internet and social media developed, people primarily accessed information through three channels: television, radio, and print newspapers. Therefore, it's understandable that people would quote "That's what the radio said," "That's what the newspaper wrote," and then act accordingly. The public also acted as "eyes and ears," conveying both good and bad news to the media. This demonstrates the trust readers placed in journalists. However, the development of the technological revolution, allowing everyone to disseminate information, forces the press and journalists today to change, strive, and remain highly determined in all circumstances. But no matter what, the press must continue its social mission, always keeping pace with life, fulfilling its role of social oversight and criticism, and fighting against wrongdoing and evil. It must avoid the mindset that success in the profession depends on sensationalism, high views, and attention to popular tastes. They often disregard the themes of good people, good deeds, and exemplary individuals, believing that these themes are incapable of attracting readers…

Every event, every character, every story can be a subject or theme to convey many valuable pieces of information, reflecting the "breath" of life. Therefore, throughout my career, I have always believed that "Promoting beauty and eliminating ugliness," and "Using positivity to push back negativity" are the responsibilities of writers, and also the shortest path to the hearts of readers, creating consensus, promoting social development, and making society better.

Source: https://baobinhthuan.com.vn/bao-chi-phai-giup-cai-tot-nay-no-109853.html