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| Issue 66 of Thanh Nien newspaper, published in October 1926. Photo: Document |
The first spark of revolutionary journalism
After many years in France and the Soviet Union, at the end of 1924, leader Nguyen Ai Quoc secretly went to Guangzhou (China) to carry out revolutionary activities. Here, he organized the publication of Thanh Nien Newspaper, both directing and directly writing many articles for the newspaper. Most of his articles were unsigned or pen-named. The birth of the newspaper was the result of a careful preparation process in terms of ideology, organization and revolutionary guidelines. With Thanh Nien, for the first time in the history of the nation, the Vietnamese people had a newspaper that was completely revolutionary in nature, produced by Vietnamese people, serving the cause of national liberation on the foundation of Marxism-Leninism.
Thanh Nien is the mouthpiece of the Vietnam Revolutionary Youth Association - the most important predecessor organization of the Communist Party of Vietnam . In the beginning, the newspaper was published once a week. Later, due to many difficulties in printing conditions, the next issue was sometimes 3-5 weeks apart from the previous one. The layout and printing were done entirely by hand with a small number of copies. The secret transportation of the newspaper back to the country and delivery to the party cells also encountered countless difficulties and dangers. The pages of the newspaper were small but contained great content: revolutionary theory, international situation, colonial national issues, domestic struggles, heroic examples, and especially the scientific path to national salvation based on Marxism-Leninism.
The newspaper's target audience is the youth - a force that is energetic, receptive to new things and always eager to act. Therefore, Thanh Nien uses simple, coherent language, combining theory with practice, specific data and comparison to explain issues to help readers understand, remember and act easily. Not only a propaganda tool, Thanh Nien is also a training document for cadre training classes directly taught by Nguyen Ai Quoc. Many students later became key leaders of the Party and the revolution such as: Tran Phu, Ha Huy Tap, Ho Tung Mau...
Sharp propaganda weapon
The reason why Thanh Nien is called a “sharp propaganda weapon” lies in the ideological value that the newspaper conveys. In the context of the patriotic movement in Vietnam in the early 20th century still scattered, with many unclear trends, the newspaper clarified the obsolescence of the reformist path, asking for foreign aid, while at the same time firmly advocating for the proletarian revolution - the only correct path to regain independence and freedom for the nation.
Leader Nguyen Ai Quoc was not only the founder but also the “soul” of the newspaper. He undertook most of the work from writing, editing, proofreading, organizing printing and distribution. In each article, he conveyed a deep patriotism, revolutionary dialectical thinking and strong belief in the masses. Outstanding articles in Thanh Nien Newspaper not only convinced with arguments but also moved with emotions and simplicity in expression.
The newspaper also vividly reflected the situation of the struggle in the world and in the country, helping readers understand the nature of colonialism and imperialism, while at the same time arousing the spirit of international solidarity and resistance. With about 88 issues published within three years (1925-1927), Thanh Nien became the "first political school" for thousands of patriotic Vietnamese youth, from urban to rural areas, from workers to intellectuals.
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| The house on Van Minh Street in Guangzhou (China) - where Thanh Nien newspaper was born. Photo: Document |
The greatest value of Thanh Nien was its contribution to creating the ideological and theoretical foundation for the establishment of the Communist Party of Vietnam in early 1930. It was the cadres who were shaped by the theories in the newspaper and trained through training courses that became the core nucleus of the Party organization at the beginning. From a modest newspaper, Thanh Nien became a "lighting torch", leading the Vietnamese revolution into a new period - a period of organized struggle with the right revolutionary line.
Lessons for today's journalists
Exactly 100 years after the birth of Thanh Nien newspaper, the history of Vietnamese revolutionary journalism has gone through a long journey. The core values that leader Nguyen Ai Quoc set for journalism still hold true: journalism is to serve the revolution, to serve the people; journalists are soldiers on the ideological and cultural front; newspapers must speak the voice of truth, of reason, of the aspiration for independence, freedom, and happiness.
Learning the journalistic spirit of President Ho Chi Minh through Thanh Nien newspaper is learning the pioneering spirit, dedication, not afraid of hardship; learning how to write close to the people, accurately reflect reality and guide revolutionary actions. That is a vivid lesson for every journalist today in the context of rapid media development, but the ideological front is always an important spearhead in the cause of building and defending the Fatherland.
During the historical period of 1925-1930, Thanh Nien Newspaper successfully completed its mission as a revolutionary newspaper to propagate, mobilize the collective, and encourage the patriotism and heroic spirit of the Vietnamese people. The legacy of Thanh Nien Newspaper will forever leave the pride and responsibility of today's press generation, in the journey to continue the revolutionary light to serve the Party, the Fatherland and the people.
Source: https://baothainguyen.vn/xa-hoi/202506/bao-thanh-nien-ngon-duoc-khai-sang-con-duong-cach-mang-viet-nam-fc91223/
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