Change from "nothing"
The Tuyen Quang Newspaper editorial office previously published a print newspaper for a long time. Therefore, the mindset and awareness of digital transformation among some staff, reporters, and technicians were not strong enough; there was a reluctance to change and significant inertia. In 2007, the online information portal was launched, marking the first turning point as the newspaper integrated into the online space, sharing information with the world . Although it was licensed to operate as an online newspaper at the end of 2018, the web infrastructure and the application of new technologies in journalism remained limited.
Faced with this situation, in 2020 the Editorial Board of Tuyen Quang Newspaper set a goal to resolutely implement digital transformation. Accordingly, the first step was to transform the mindset and awareness of staff, reporters, and technicians. Comrade Mai Duc Thong, Member of the Provincial Party Committee, Editor-in-Chief of the Provincial Newspaper and Radio and Television Station, recalled that in the early days, the newspaper faced many difficulties. How to innovate the print newspaper was a pressing issue, starting with restructuring the pages and sections, the way each work and each page of the newspaper was presented, and how to connect with the online newspaper.
A training course on building radio news bulletins for Tuyen Quang Newspaper in 2021.
The innovation of online journalism began from scratch, without any investment in technical equipment. The Editorial Board played the role of a source of inspiration, igniting creativity among editors, reporters, and technicians; inviting experienced experts from journalism schools and major media organizations such as VTV, VOV, VietnamPlus, and VNA… to train them on how to create multimedia journalistic products, maximize the use of available equipment to create multimedia works, publish across multiple platforms, optimize SEO for online newspapers, and especially apply technology and artificial intelligence (AI) to create journalistic works.
With the motto "don't wait for investment, adjust as you go," even in difficult times, the newspaper has produced multimedia products such as radio broadcasts, reports, features, panel discussions, e-magazines, etc., using old cameras, microphones, and even mobile phones.
One of the newspaper's outstanding products is its live television broadcasts. With equipment worth approximately 500 million VND, the newspaper has produced live television programs ranging from simple to complex. Building on this success, the newspaper was entrusted by the Vietnam Journalists Association with the task of live-streaming the International Press Conference held in Hanoi – the first time a local Party newspaper had undertaken an event of international significance. Since 2020, the newspaper has conducted over 250 live broadcasts. These programs, streamed on the newspaper's website and social media platforms, have attracted millions of viewers.
The Tuyen Quang Newspaper team is providing live coverage of the International Press Conference - ASEAN in Hanoi.
Currently, the editorial office has applied AI to image processing in print newspapers, graphic design, podcast reading, creating video MCs for news and online news, assisting in topic research, script development for panel discussions, and other editorial tasks. The application of AI has shortened the production time for multimedia products, provided numerous suggestions, and enabled the discovery of diverse topics. The online newspaper has utilized tools for data collection and processing, evaluation, forecasting, monitoring, and quality control of journalism, as well as user data analysis (Similarweb, Google Analytics). This allows for comparison with other newspapers in the region to adjust content and develop the online newspaper according to user information needs and preferences.
Over the two years (2023, 2024), the Ministry of Information and Communications conducted surveys, measurements, and assessments of the maturity level of digital transformation in journalism, and all newspapers were assessed and confirmed to have achieved a "Good" rating.
Transition from analog to digital
Starting in 1997, Tuyen Quang Radio and Television Station applied non-linear technology to the production of radio programs (using computers and software to produce and store cassette tapes). For television, before around 2005, they had to use huge video tape archives for recording and editing. Each time data was transferred for editing, the tape had to be "captured" in real time, saved digitally, and transferred to a computer using software for editing, which was very time-consuming.
Later, with technological advancements, the station used cameras that recorded onto memory cards in various video formats, thereby improving data import/export and production times. Currently, the station has digitized 100% of its program production process and is one of the top units nationwide implementing digitalization according to the roadmap.
Staff from the Online News Department of Tuyen Quang Newspaper producing a program at the studio in 2023.
Previously, the station used analog broadcasting technology, whose quality depended heavily on spatial conditions, terrain, and weather. In 2012, this technology was replaced by satellite broadcasting, marking a significant development in the application of transmission methods to expand coverage. In 2021, with VTV's infrastructure, VTC began broadcasting digital terrestrial television in the province, along with providing signals to platforms such as MyTV, FPT, TV360, AVG, VTVgo, NextTv, and the station's own website and app, TTVon… To meet the needs of a large audience, the station has distributed its radio and television products on social media platforms such as Facebook and YouTube…
Comrade Nguyen Ngoc Toan, Deputy Editor-in-Chief of Tuyen Quang Newspaper and Radio-Television Station (formerly Director of Tuyen Quang Radio-Television Station), stated that with the modern equipment provided, the human resources needed to operate it are a top priority. Despite the limited staffing allocated by the province, attracting high-quality personnel in the field of information technology to the agency is very difficult due to inadequate incentive policies.
General Control Room of Tuyen Quang Radio and Television Station.
However, for the IT staff already recruited, the station regularly collaborates in organizing training courses, refresher courses, and study tours to large, modern stations nationwide to improve their skills and ensure they can fully utilize the capabilities of the technical equipment.
Double the power
The policy of merging agencies within the province, including the merger of Tuyen Quang Newspaper with the Provincial Radio and Television Station, will open up great opportunities for development. With all resources concentrated in one place, especially a shared data source, the Provincial Newspaper and Radio and Television Station now have a full range of journalistic products with a professional and modern approach, making production and distribution of journalistic products more convenient.
Journalist Nguyen Hoang Nhat, Deputy Head of the People's Newspaper's online section, who previously assisted in technology training for the Tuyen Quang Newspaper, commented: "Currently, the hybrid trend is dominating major newsrooms worldwide, where a single media organization can produce all types of content. In other words, all boundaries are being blurred, as noted by the International Media Association (INMA)."
A live television broadcast by Tuyen Quang Newspaper in Na Hang district.
Therefore, the trend of consolidating media outlets in localities across Vietnam does not deviate from the development trajectory of media organizations worldwide. Journalists will witness the collapse of many traditional forms of media, such as traditional television (broadcast via analog waves and cable), traditional radio (AM and FM waves), while the legacies of print newspapers and magazines must find a way to survive on digital platforms. All forms of journalism will converge on digital.
With the motto "wherever the audience and readers are, the press is there," in addition to traditional newspaper distribution, the Provincial Newspaper and Radio-Television Station are continuing to implement the roadmap for transitioning radio broadcasting to digital format; and promoting distribution on social platforms such as Facebook, TikTok, YouTube, and Zalo to create a stronger reach. After the merger, the Provincial Newspaper and Radio-Television Station maintain 6 Facebook accounts (2 main fanpages, 3 satellite fanpages, 1 English fanpage, 2 YouTube channels, 1 TikTok channel, 1 Zalo channel, and 1 Instagram account), of which 2 main fanpages have received blue verification badges, TikTok has received a silver button, and 1 YouTube channel has received a gray button…
The digital transformation of newspapers and radio and television stations is not just about technology, but also a continuing revolution in thinking and awareness. Proactively seizing opportunities, overcoming challenges, and effectively applying technology to content production is the inevitable path for newspapers and radio and television stations in Tuyen Quang to continue affirming their role as a leading force on the information and propaganda front.
Source: https://baotuyenquang.com.vn/bao-chi-tien-phong-chuyen-doi-so-213690.html
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