Hai Duong Newspaper is constantly changing to keep pace with the trends of modern journalism.

Changes in the way things work, from reporters to the editorial board.

More than 10 years ago, Hai Duong Newspaper still maintained the practice of reporters submitting articles in paper form. Editing was done directly on the reporters' drafts, so for articles requiring significant revisions, computer technicians had to strain their eyes typing them out during typesetting. Sometimes, sections that were "impossible to translate" required repeated questioning. Page layout for each printed issue was also done manually on A3 paper. Each year, the cost of printing drafts and creating layouts accounted for a considerable portion of the budget.

To overcome this limitation, Hai Duong Newspaper has implemented an electronic newsroom in its publishing process. Subsequently, it used Google Drive's Document application for pagination and layout design for print issues. This application of information technology has reduced printing paper costs by 70% compared to before; and reduced proofreading staff by 50%. The editing and layout process is also much more convenient than before. In addition to editing and publishing, Hai Duong Newspaper has also proactively used the iOffice electronic office software for managing and transmitting documents and participating in the national document exchange system.

The Hai Duong newspaper is constantly changing to keep pace with the trends of modern journalism (Figure 1). — Reporters at Hai Duong Newspaper always stay close to reality, promptly reflecting current events and issues.

The way news is done and journalistic practices are also changing towards multimedia. The COVID-19 outbreak in Hai Duong in early 2021 and its complex developments in 2022 forced newsrooms to change their working methods to adapt to the pandemic, maximizing online work. Before the pandemic, online work was mainly applied to online newspapers, but during the COVID-19 pandemic, this was applied to print newspapers as well. Along with the online newsroom, through Zalo groups, the typesetting department could work from home, eliminating the need for centralized work as before.

Currently, newspapers establish groups on Messenger and Zalo based on the size of the agency, department, or specialized team to exchange work-related information. Reporters and editors can work from anywhere with an internet connection without necessarily having to go to the newsroom.

Along with applying information technology in managing and operating the editorial office, Hai Duong Newspaper is promoting the development of its online newspaper in a multimedia direction. While previously, information on the online newspaper was mainly presented in text, images, and videos , now there are many new forms such as audio, graphics, and multimedia journalistic works (emagazines).

In particular, the introduction of digital audio files (Podcasts) to the online newspaper, with sections such as News, Current Affairs, Lifestyle - Entertainment, Arts and Culture, and Check-in in Hai Duong, has given Hai Duong Newspaper a new target audience: listeners. They can easily listen to and enjoy Hai Duong Newspaper's journalistic products, or listen while doing other work. Currently, Hai Duong Newspaper is also applying artificial intelligence to convert text into audio files, allowing readers to listen to news instead of reading the newspaper. Multimedia works (emagazines) are also organized into categories, making it convenient for readers.

The newspaper has collaborated with the Vietnam News Agency to upload PDF versions of the printed version of the newspaper to the online platform, serving the needs of readers of the Hai Duong newspaper (print version) on the online platform; sending PDFs of printed issues to contributors whose articles have been published; and storing printed issues as PDF files to serve as a digital database of published print publications.

Multi-platform development

Over the past 10 years, with the strong development of social media, the emergence of "citizen journalists," and the need to compete for information with central and local newspapers, Hai Duong Newspaper has continuously adapted to keep pace with the trends of modern journalism. In addition to its print publications, Hai Duong Newspaper has developed an online version in both Vietnamese and English. Following the motto "wherever the readers are, the newspaper is there," Hai Duong Newspaper has built a Facebook fan page (currently verified with a blue checkmark, reaching over 100,000 likes and over 137,000 followers), established a Zalo page (verified with a gold checkmark), and created YouTube and TikTok channels.

The Hai Duong newspaper is constantly changing to keep pace with the trends of modern journalism (Figure 2). — Hai Duong Newspaper has built a Facebook fanpage that has reached over 100,000 likes and more than 137,000 followers.

Social media channels have contributed to delivering newspaper information to readers more quickly, especially through fan pages. Many readers provide additional information to the editorial office, respond to inaccurate information, and reflect on many current events and hot issues in localities. This is a useful information channel for the newspaper, and timely interactions between the editorial office and readers also contribute to the improvement of Hai Duong Newspaper. Currently, the number of readers of Hai Duong online newspaper from social media accounts for more than 30% of the total number of newspaper visits.

Hai Duong Newspaper also proactively creates its own content on the Facebook social media platform, such as livestreaming cultural, sports, and economic events of public interest to readers; organizing photo series; and providing advance information on security and order incidents and accidents. Through suggestions on the fanpage, readers can provide information to the newspaper…

With the Zalo application, readers interested in Hai Duong Newspaper will receive daily broadcast news. This is selected information, focusing on current events and recent occurrences in the province that attract readers' attention. From the Zalo page, readers can also quickly access the Hai Duong online newspaper.

Continuously improving the quality of each journalistic work.

It can be said that for many years, the spirit of innovation has been implemented by the staff and reporters of Hai Duong Newspaper. The application of new technologies and the implementation of the digital transformation policy are no longer just theory but have deeply permeated their awareness and actions. Each person, in their assigned tasks, is united, supports each other, constantly learns, and adapts their journalistic mindset to strive for the common goal of improving the quality of each piece of work and competing for information with the increasingly developing social media platforms.

The Hai Duong newspaper is constantly changing to keep pace with the trends of modern journalism (Figure 3). — Reporters from Hai Duong Newspaper are live streaming from the pedestrian street and Bach Dang night market (Hai Duong City).

Thanks to the editorial board's sound policies and the unity of each reporter and editor, the quality of journalistic works has been improved, effectively fulfilling the task of disseminating information to the Provincial Party Committee and the Provincial People's Committee, while also providing the public with timely and accurate information across various platforms and media formats.

Although some initial results have been achieved in implementing digital transformation in journalism, Hai Duong Newspaper recognizes that there is still much work to be done. Currently, Hai Duong Newspaper is simultaneously operating several separate software programs to serve its work. Some software programs are incomplete, leading to some tasks still being performed manually, such as compiling online publication fees and uploading articles from the print newspaper to the online newspaper.

Comrade Nguyen Quy Trong, Editor-in-Chief of Hai Duong Newspaper and Chairman of the Hai Duong Provincial Journalists Association, said that to build upon the achievements already made, Hai Duong Newspaper is developing a project to build a shared software system, a converged newsroom, develop multimedia journalism, digitize Hai Duong Newspaper data, and purchase information technology equipment. The project has been approved for investment.

Hai Duong Newspaper will develop a shared software system, a converged newsroom, integrating the features of its individual software programs. This will be a converged electronic newsroom encompassing both print and online newspapers, with modules designed for managing author fees, integrating the online newspaper with several social media platforms, and other publishing management features. Alongside this, software will be developed for managing documents, personnel, and advertising; and the Hai Duong Newspaper's data will be digitized…

Continue developing the Hai Duong online newspaper in a multimedia direction, integrating with new platforms such as Spotify, improving the quality of YouTube and TikTok channels… Upgrade the features of the online newspaper such as sending news updates to readers, personalizing user experience…

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