There needs to be a strategy to change journalism thinking to adapt to digital technology trends.

A close collaboration between journalists, technologists, and advertisers.

Sharing insights on the transition from traditional newsroom models to convergent and digital newsroom models, journalist Wu Rui Ming of Shin Min Daily News, a member of the Creative Media and Publishing Association of Singapore, had a very frank discussion about the challenges and opportunities facing this renowned Singaporean newspaper in the era of digital transformation.

We need a strategy to change the mindset of journalists to adapt to digital technology trends (Figure 1). — Delegates attended Session 1 with the theme "General theory of digital newsroom management".

Specifically, according to journalist Wu Rui Ming, digital journalism has completely changed the way print journalism is done. He gave an example: "Previously, when news broke late at night, it was very difficult for print newspapers to update the information or sensationalize the event immediately, but in the digital age, it is entirely possible, and even done well."

He emphasized that this is a key factor in digital journalism and publishing. Newspapers around the world are very interested in these timely events, which print newspapers previously could not capitalize on. In other words, if newspapers can take advantage of breaking news and report it promptly, they will gain significant reader attention, thereby increasing traffic and ultimately revenue.

We need a strategy to change the mindset of journalists to adapt to the trends of digital technology (Figure 2). — Journalist Wu Rui Ming, Shin Min Daily News, Creative Media and Publishing Association of Singapore.

Another point raised by journalist Wu Rui Ming at the seminar was that reporters, editors, and others in the digital age must constantly upgrade themselves, not only by honing their writing skills but also by learning new technologies to meet the demands of the digital transformation of journalism.

"We are always being asked to improve ourselves… Reporters who write and cover news now also have to make appropriate videos , and sometimes, in certain cases, it can attract readers better through direct reporting via sharing platforms like TikTok, YouTube, or Facebook…" - journalist Wu Rui Ming emphasized.

Sharing her views on digital transformation at media agencies in Vietnam, Ms. Dang Thi Phuong Thao, Deputy Director of the Press Department, Ministry of Information and Communications, stated that several media agencies have already implemented digital transformation, becoming multimedia news organizations such as the Vietnam News Agency, VOV, VTV, VietnamPlus online newspaper, VnExpress online newspaper, and Tuoi Tre newspaper…

Ms. Dang Thi Phuong Thao cited examples: in 2021, the VietnamPlus online newspaper's YouTube channel achieved the Silver Button – reaching 100,000 subscribers, and its TikTok channel reached 700,000 followers within just one year. On May 24, 2022, Vietnam Television (VTV) launched the VTVMoney economic information ecosystem, comprising 7 programs broadcast online across 6 platforms (1 online newspaper, 4 Fanpages, and 1 YouTube channel) and an online information website. The online newspaper, television channel, and social media pages of Thanh Nien Newspaper have experienced remarkable growth over the past two years through digital transformation. Notably, the Thanh Nien Newspaper's YouTube channel reached 5 million subscribers. Since 2021, podcasts have also seen a significant rise in popularity.

In late 2021, Nhan Dan Newspaper began providing daily news updates on its Podcast platform with the goal of bringing official information from the Party and State to listeners both domestically and internationally, adding another channel for the public to access the country's largest Party newspaper. In mid-2022, Tuoi Tre Newspaper, Nguoi Lao Dong Newspaper, and others also launched trial Podcasts. To date, five media outlets have implemented a content subscription model (VietnamPlus online newspaper, Ngay Nay Magazine, Vietnamnet online newspaper, Tuoi Tre Newspaper, and Nguoi Lao Dong Newspaper).

We need a strategy to change the mindset of journalists to adapt to the trends of digital technology (Figure 3). — Ms. Dang Thi Phuong Thao - Deputy Director of the Press Department, Ministry of Information and Communications.

The Ministry of Information and Communications has actively implemented several directional solutions to promote the digital transformation of journalism. These include organizing training conferences to raise awareness and update skills for leaders, journalists, reporters, and editors on topics related to digital transformation in general and the digital transformation of journalism in particular.

The Ministry has developed and published a Technology Map for the journalism sector, which serves as an important basis for media organizations to develop investment plans for technology development to support digital transformation through three key issues: major trends affecting current digital technology applications; which digital technologies have the potential to balance value and risk; and which emerging digital technologies should be implemented with caution.

On June 2nd, 2023, the Ministry of Information and Communications issued Decision No. 951/QD-BTTTT promulgating the set of indicators for evaluating and measuring the maturity of digital transformation in journalism. This tool helps media organizations determine their current stage in the digital transformation process, thereby enabling them to develop appropriate roadmaps, plans, and solutions for effective digital transformation.

We need a strategy to change the mindset of journalists to adapt to the digital technology trends (Figure 4). — The delegates chaired session number 1 with the theme "General theory on digital newsroom management".

Ms. Phuong Thao also emphasized that for the digital transformation of journalism to succeed, the awareness of newspapers needs to truly change so that they invest more in this endeavor, and at the same time, there needs to be close cooperation between the three parties: journalists, technologists, and advertisers to implement effective digital transformation in terms of both content and journalism economics.

Building a flexible, technology-based ecosystem.

Speaking about the successful experience at his unit, journalist Dong Manh Hung, Head of the Editorial Secretariat and Permanent Vice President of the VOV Journalists' Association - Voice of Vietnam Radio, said: The Voice of Vietnam Radio is a leading multi-media communication agency directly under the Vietnamese Government. Established on September 7, 1945, VOV is currently the only Vietnamese press agency with all four types of media, the most ethnic minority languages (13 languages), and the most foreign languages (13 languages).

We need a strategy to change the mindset of journalists to adapt to the trends of digital technology. — Journalist Dong Manh Hung, Head of the Editorial Secretariat, and Permanent Vice President of the VOV Journalists' Association.

In the context of declining traditional radio and television viewership, and with the public actively seeking out the content they want to access, content distribution on digital platforms is playing an increasingly important role. Vietnam National Radio is focusing on building digital content distribution platforms and strengthening communication in the digital environment.

Each form of media tends to develop in a direction that emphasizes the specialization and professionalism of its respective journalistic style. Television focuses on images and video, radio primarily on audio, and online journalism integrates multimedia.

The Voice of Vietnam has been building a flexible, technology-based ecosystem where content units can effectively share resources. This includes developing mechanisms and protocols to facilitate the sharing of information, content, and skills among reporters and editors.

"The Voice of Vietnam defines its vision within the digital journalism ecosystem as building a diverse and rich content environment, providing information from many different angles and topics, aiming for modernity and creativity in its approach to content and communication to ensure it attracts readers of all ages and interests," journalist Dong Manh Hung emphasized.

Speaking on the topic of "Transformation towards multimedia, multi-platform and in-depth journalism," journalist Ngo Viet Anh, Deputy Head of the People's Newspaper Online Department (People's Newspaper), said that since 2021, the People's Newspaper has developed a digital transformation strategy to become a leading multimedia news agency with clear directions and implementation roadmap, including promoting investment in technology, developing multimedia, multi-platform journalism and in-depth journalistic products combined with technology.

Nhan Dan Newspaper applies technology and uses free tools such as Flourish and Infogram in the production process of visual and data-driven products. In particular, Nhan Dan Newspaper has collaborated with international partners to introduce Shorthand into the production of e-magazines and longform articles. This tool has many outstanding features that allow for the impressive presentation of interactive graphics, photos, and videos, serving journalistic content. Nhan Dan Newspaper also actively develops its Nhan Dan Newspaper fanpage on social media platforms like Facebook and TikTok, following the social-first trend.

We need a strategy to change the mindset of journalists to adapt to the digital technology trends. — Journalist Ngo Viet Anh, Deputy Head of the People's Electronic Newspaper (People's Newspaper).

Information is prioritized for online publication, appearing wherever readers are present, and proactively delivering news to readers instead of the traditional approach where readers seek out information. Furthermore, the newspaper collaborates with international partners, Chartbeat, to develop tools for measuring and analyzing reader behavior and needs. This helps the editorial team provide information that meets readers' needs, optimizing reader time (time on site) and pageviews.

Simultaneously, we are applying technology and using free tools such as Flourish and Infogram in the production process of visual and data-driven products; promoting the development of the Nhan Dan Newspaper Fanpage on social media platforms like Facebook and TikTok; and launching many special information pages to further realize our multi-platform, multi-media development strategy.

In particular, a highlight of the digital transformation of Nhan Dan Newspaper, as mentioned by Mr. Ngo Viet Anh, is the development of in-depth knowledge products. With the slogan "Every question has an answer," this special section aims to anticipate the trend of in-depth journalism and data journalism, providing comprehensive and in-depth knowledge with elaborate, multimedia, and engaging presentations.

The Nhan Dan newspaper has developed over 60 in-depth knowledge content articles categorized into five groups: events, issues, people, places, and organizations. Regarding the implementation of the digital newsroom model, Mr. Ngo Viet Anh stated that in June 2023, the Nhan Dan online newsroom was inaugurated in an area of over 400 square meters. This modern newsroom will maximize resources, produce information using an integrated approach, and present it flexibly and appropriately to each platform and target reader group.

Nhan Dan Newspaper has diversified its revenue streams by producing high-quality content to generate additional funds for reinvestment in digital transformation.

Cooperation between countries to solve common problems

In a presentation titled "Transforming Mutual Values Between Publishers and Digital Platform Companies in the Era of Artificial Intelligence in Journalism," Mr. Agus Sudibyo, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of the Public Broadcasting Authority TVRI, Indonesian Journalists Association, highlighted a worrying situation in Indonesia.

Specifically, according to Mr. Agus, in Indonesia today, 80% of news is controlled by Google and Facebook. These platforms also account for up to 70% of advertising revenue; and they collect user data, selling this data to advertisers.

“Two years ago, the Indonesian Journalists Association and the government attempted to develop new laws on publishing rights on digital platforms to support healthy journalism. Here, we emphasize the harmony between publishers and digital platforms. We propose that digital platforms negotiate to clarify responsibilities and share transparent plans between the parties. The law also stipulates that the distribution and commercialization of content that does not conform to the criteria of healthy journalism should be avoided,” emphasized Agus Sudibyo.

Faced with this challenge, the representative from Indonesia proposed the establishment of an ASEAN media network to promote sustainable communication, emphasizing cooperation among countries to address common issues.

Also addressing the issue of media cooperation, Mr. Pham Anh Chien, Deputy Director of the Center for Digital Content Production and Development (VTV Digital), Vietnam Television, and Vice President of the Vietnam Internet Association, stated that VTVgo is built on a new strategy that puts viewers and readers at the center; wherever viewers are, wherever the audience is, VTVGo is there. Viewers can watch anytime, anywhere. The VTVgo product can be used on smartphones and other platforms... VTVgo is a central platform for delivering content on the internet.

We need a strategy to change the mindset of journalists to adapt to the digital technology trend. — Dr. Pham Anh Chien, Deputy Director of the Center for Digital Content Production and Development (VTV Digital), Vietnam Television, and Vice President of the Vietnam Internet Association.

Mr. Chien also added that recently, the Prime Minister approved the addition of 6 essential national television channels and local television channels to this platform. The inclusion of these essential national television channels on the VTVgo digital television platform is part of the Action Plan to promote the development of the national digital television platform, which has been approved by the Ministry of Information and Communications. In the future, VTVgo will be installed on all televisions sold in the Vietnamese market; television manufacturers have committed to installing this application on televisions sold...

Agreeing with the above viewpoint, Ms. Pham Thi Thanh - Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Information, Science and Political Theory - stated that in digital transformation, several technologies play a pivotal role, such as: artificial intelligence, cloud computing, big data, data analytics technology, blockchain technology, and the Internet of Things technology...

Digital transformation in journalism has been confirmed as an inevitable trend. It is a comprehensive and holistic change in the publishing process, operating models, and production methods of media organizations and journalists.

From the perspective of a local press agency, journalist Truong Van Chuyen, Standing Committee Member, Chairman of the Can Tho Journalists Association, and Editor-in-Chief of Can Tho Newspaper, also shared his experiences on digital transformation. His opinions focused on three key solutions: firstly, improving the quality of human resources; secondly, streamlining the organizational, management, operational, and administrative apparatus; and thirdly, building a digital platform and a modern governance system.

Acknowledging and appreciating the opinions expressed by delegates at the first session, journalist Nguyen Duc Loi, Permanent Vice President of the Vietnam Journalists Association, stated that many delegates had discussed an important and indispensable issue in digital newsroom management: the application of technology.

Many delegates also emphasized the transition from the traditional newsroom model to a more modern one. This transition requires strategies that change journalistic mindsets to adapt. Delegates also proposed solutions for media organizations to collaborate and support each other in order to successfully implement the digital transformation strategy…

Journalist Nguyen Duc Loi assessed that the first session concluded successfully, achieving its objectives. The organizing committee hopes that at the second session, taking place on the afternoon of December 7th, delegates will engage in further discussions and propose even more useful and engaging solutions.

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