On the occasion of the 99th anniversary of Vietnam Revolutionary Press Day (June 21, 1925 - June 21, 2024), reporters of the Journalists and Public Opinion Newspaper had an interview with Mr. Do Nhu Lam - Director of the Department of Information and Communications of Thai Binh Province on the issue.
Comrade Do Nhu Lam, Department of Information and Communications spoke at the conference.
+ Can you inform us about some outstanding results in digital transformation of Thai Binh press in recent times?
- Thai Binh has 3 provincial press agencies: Thai Binh Newspaper, Thai Binh Radio and Television Station, Thai Binh Literature and Arts Magazine. In addition, there is 1 Thai Binh Medical and Pharmaceutical Science Magazine under Thai Binh University of Medicine and Pharmacy. The provincial press agencies basically strictly implement the provisions of the law on the press, actively contributing to the work of information, propaganda, promotion of the image, potential and position of Thai Binh province.
In Thai Binh province, the digital transformation of newspapers was approved by the Provincial People's Committee in Plan No. 150/KH-UBND dated November 24, 2023 to implement the Digital Transformation and Press Development Strategy to 2025, with a vision to 2030 in Thai Binh province. This is the basis for provincial press agencies to research, focus resources, and gradually implement digital transformation of newspapers.
The provincial press agencies have synchronously deployed tasks and solutions to implement digital transformation, in which digital transformation is determined not only to invest in technology, software, equipment but also to change the mindset of leaders, reporters, editors, change operating processes, working methods, production processes, content publishing, data management. From there, gradually build and form a converged, multimedia newsroom. Especially the application of technology in the content production and distribution process; effectively implement press business models to diversify revenue sources, not to depend on advertising revenue, and at the same time to develop a data journalism, with quality, ensuring the original value of revolutionary journalism...
Thai Binh Newspaper has many changes in content, form of expression, technical infrastructure, means of operation, and at the same time promotes the application of science and technology in all activities, creating a premise to keep up with the digital transformation. Currently, the Newspaper has a daily printed newspaper publication, an electronic newspaper with diverse forms of expression such as radio, television, infographic, e-magazine, longform..., meeting the requirements of building Thai Binh Newspaper into a multimedia media agency.
Thai Binh Newspaper promotes digital transformation throughout the agency through the development of a software system for managing the quality of news, articles, and photos to receive news, articles, and photos from reporters and forward them to editorial levels, helping the Editorial Board manage the quality of news, articles, photos, and the time to complete assigned tasks, thereby being proactive in leadership and direction.
A Newspaper talk show using a new technology platform, focusing on readers.
With the advantage of an electronic newspaper, Thai Binh Electronic Newspaper has expanded its coverage domestically and internationally, reaching Vietnamese people and Thai Binh compatriots abroad. Thai Binh Newspaper has built Thai Binh Newspaper App on iOS and Android platforms, which is an important information channel to help readers access information through smart devices, and enjoy multimedia products through the App on a digital platform.
Thai Binh Electronic Newspaper has CMS content management software, which helps to process “one-touch” operations, circulating right in the same CMS system; build a server system to store and transmit data; at the same time, set up accounts to send and receive data for reporters and collaborators to send to the editorial office in the fastest way, send and receive large files. From there, it helps to exploit data to create works conveniently and effectively.
In particular, the Department of Information and Communications has coordinated with Thai Binh Newspaper to apply AI artificial intelligence technology using virtual MCs, artificial intelligence voices (Voice AI) to replace real MCs and announcers in the production of video programs and radio programs, helping to save time, costs, and human resources, while demonstrating a modern journalism style - multimedia, multi-platform. For printed newspapers that have transformed towards data journalism, an online printed newspaper reading system has been built, opening up access to in-depth press data from traditional paper newspapers on computers and mobile devices with internet connection.
For Thai Binh Radio and Television Station, the unit has gradually invested in a production and broadcasting transmission system that meets standards and is digitized from input to broadcasting. The Station's programs are broadcast on infrastructures such as Thai Binh Cable Television, Vietnam Cable Television, MyTV Television, FPT Television, NextTV Television, MobiTV Television... Online television on the internet; television on social networks; broadcasting Thai Binh Television channel on the national digital television platform VTVGo...
Thai Binh Radio and Television Station has effectively exploited and used archived documents to serve the task of propaganda, exploiting advertising revenue from activities on the infrastructure being implemented. Ensuring information security for the system, creating conditions for listeners to access information as quickly as possible... In addition to the television segment, the Station produces the 1H radio program with Thai Binh Radio every day, broadcasting live on the radio from 8 - 9am, and is also posted directly on the Station's Facebook page so that the audience can interact directly, send comments or ask questions to the program.
Live radio program production room of Thai Binh Radio and Television Station
Not only promoting efficiency on traditional infrastructure, Thai Binh Newspaper, Thai Binh Radio and Television Station also posted a lot of rich content on social networking platforms Facebook, Youtube, Zalo... attracting many users to interact on social networking platforms.
Thai Binh Literature and Arts Magazine has made efforts to innovate and apply digital transformation in accordance with conditions and capabilities, creating valuable and high-level works of art. Most of the artists of Thai Binh Literature and Arts Association see that technology is now an effective support tool and bridge for work and promoting literary and artistic works to the global public. Thai Binh Literature and Arts Magazine has digitized publications and works of authors to store in the author library, the library of works on the Association's website and applied digital transformation to the Magazine's activities.
+ According to you, what problems does Thai Binh press have to face in the digital transformation process?
- It is impossible to stay out of the game, the digital transformation of press agencies is an inevitable process for survival and development. However, the above results show that in reality, press agencies of Thai Binh province have been and are implementing digital transformation of press in a strong and substantial way.
However, digital transformation is new, and digital transformation of the press is in its initial stages for most press agencies, especially local press agencies, so knowledge and experience are still limited, and sometimes, confusion is inevitable (currently, nationwide, there is no digital transformation model of any press agency that has been successfully evaluated by specific measurement results, nor is there a standard model for digital transformation of the press).
On the digital transformation roadmap, the challenge for press agencies in general and Thai Binh press in particular is the fierce competition of new media, especially social networks. The reason is that social networking sites today always meet the quick needs for information and tastes of many readers; bringing efficiency to the advertising strategies of corporations and businesses, leading to a decrease in advertising revenue of press agencies.
Along with that, competition is not only about providing pure information, but it is also related to the reputation and trust of readers for each type of press... Human resources for digital transformation is also a big challenge not only for the press but also for the whole society. The application of technology requires press managers to have a certain level of science and technology, skills, and techniques in operation... Meanwhile, the use of digital skills by reporters, editors, and collaborators has not kept up with the development speed of digital information.
In addition to the human resource factor, one of the barriers for Thai Binh press agencies in the digital transformation process is that the facilities and technical infrastructure do not meet the requirements of digital transformation of the press. Although the technical infrastructure of Thai Binh province press agencies has been invested, it is not synchronous and commensurate with the increasing tasks and requirements while operating costs are limited, human resources are reduced, and advertising revenue is difficult.
Digital-based radio program of Thai Binh Radio and Television Station
+ Faced with the challenges, what should Thai Binh press do to keep up with digital transformation in the current period?
- Currently, digital transformation of the press is an inevitable trend, stemming from the need to strengthen the leading and information-orienting role of press agencies, meet the implementation of the political tasks of the press, perform well the task of protecting the Party's ideological foundation, and fight against erroneous and hostile viewpoints.
To promote the digital transformation of local press in the coming time, the Department of Information and Communications will coordinate with provincial press agencies and relevant agencies to advise the Provincial People's Committee to support the development of technical infrastructure, ensure network security; build a shared digital platform for the press; promote the digital transformation process, as well as transform the converged newsroom journalism model, business model, and content distribution in cyberspace. At the same time, it is recommended that the Ministry of Information and Communications strengthen training and coaching for press agencies on content, roadmap for digital transformation of press and invest in human resources for digital content.
The press management agency and press agencies of the province continue to effectively implement Resolution No. 02-NQ/TU, dated November 19, 2021 of the Provincial Party Committee on digital transformation of Thai Binh province to 2025, with a vision to 2030; Plan No. 120/KH-UBND, dated November 25, 2019 of the Provincial People's Committee on implementing Decision No. 362/QD-TTg, dated April 3, 2019 of the Prime Minister approving the National Press Development and Management Plan to 2025 in Thai Binh province, ensuring the arrangement of a streamlined and modern press system, promoting the effectiveness of the province's press agencies.
Raise awareness among information and communication management staff; leaders, reporters, and editors of press agencies about the important role and urgency of promoting digital transformation of the press in sync with the province's digital transformation program. Strengthen propaganda, commendation, and honor of organizations and individuals with achievements and initiatives in the process of digital transformation of the press to share experiences, spread, and replicate.
Along with that, for each press agency of the province, especially for the heads of press agencies, it is necessary to clearly recognize the importance of digital transformation in the current period; thoroughly grasp, fully and seriously organize the implementation of the guiding documents of the Central Government, ministries, branches and the province on digital transformation in general, and press digital transformation in particular.
Press agencies need to develop high-quality digital press products, effectively innovate the reader experience; build product and service packages suitable for each reader group. Design and create new information product models on different platforms to increase interaction with readers, distribute information content faster, wider and accurately according to readers' needs. Apply scientific and technological achievements in automation to promote the content production process.
Applying digital platforms for provincial press agencies. Applying tools for collecting, processing data, evaluating, forecasting, monitoring, and supervising press quality; indicators for assessing the maturity level of digital transformation of press; digital radio platform (online) and digital television platform (online); electronic press platform. Applying digital platforms for press agencies to distribute press content and share press data; encouraging press agencies with sufficient technological and financial resources to build their own platforms to meet digital transformation requirements. Promoting the application of information technology in management and operation through the application of electronic editorial management platforms.
Press agencies develop on-site human resource training plans to train quality digital human resources to participate in the digital transformation of journalism. Staff, reporters, cameramen, editors, and technicians must clearly identify digital transformation as an inevitable trend and a matter of survival for press agencies, thereby uniting and unifying in implementation and organization. Strengthen cooperation and learn from the experiences of localities with strong digital journalism development. Allocate funding and create conditions for local press agencies to implement digital transformation.
Mr. Tung
Source: https://www.congluan.vn/bao-chi-thai-binh-khong-ngung-doi-moi-bat-nhip-chuyen-doi-so-post300014.html
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