Bridge the press to the grassroots

Strengthen the provision of accurate, timely and objective information

It can be said that the information and communication sector plays an important role in providing accurate and timely information from local authorities to press agencies. Through official information channels, the Departments of Information and Communication help the press have reliable sources of information, connecting local departments, branches and sectors with reporters to accurately reflect the actual situation in the area and management field. This is especially important in the current context, when fake and inaccurate information easily spreads on social networks, the press must "race" for information. Therefore, local authorities must also have "hot" information to provide to reporters.

Hai Duong Provincial Farmers' Association held a press conference to promote the 10th Provincial Farmers' Association Congress, term 2023 - 2028. Illustrative photo

A typical example from practice of the connection between local authorities and press agencies, with the Department of Information and Communications as the “bridge”, can be told in the story “Covid-19 in Vinh Phuc”. During the Covid-19 outbreak in Son Loi commune, Binh Xuyen district, Vinh Phuc province - the first epidemic center in Vietnam, the coordination of information between Vinh Phuc provincial authorities and local reporters was very timely and accurate.

The Department of Information and Communications was then assigned to be the focal point for providing information to reporters. From the number of people infected with Covid-19, the work of zoning and suppressing the epidemic, to the work of ensuring the lives of people in isolated areas... were all provided regularly and publicly in many forms, from organizing press conferences, quick meetings, through documents or through "4.0 channels" such as Zalo, the social network of the Department of Information and Communications. It was from the above information, plus the "rolling around" of reporters in propaganda work, promptly orienting public opinion, that contributed to the success of Vinh Phuc on the "front" against Covid-19 at that time.

Another example is the Department of Information and Communications of Quang Ninh province, which regularly publishes socio-economic news, helping the press have an overview and accurate view of the local situation. In addition, many Departments of Information and Communications also issue periodic reports on local programs, plans, development projects, etc. These documents not only provide useful information for the press but also help guide public opinion, ensuring that information is conveyed objectively and honestly.

Accuracy is a must when reporting information. The authorities provide reporters with issues that need to be publicized, which must be authentic and consistent. From there, reporters use it to spread to their readers. In other words, the quality of reporters' news articles is "closely related" to the information provided by local government agencies. In many provinces and cities, the Department of Information and Communications has done a good job of this "connecting" role, helping to increase the level of reliability and authenticity of press products.

In addition, objectivity is an issue that many reporters are concerned about when receiving information from local government agencies. The press in general and the central press in particular, when writing articles, always aim to be in line with the Party's policies and guidelines, the State's laws, in line with the people's aspirations, and to be accepted by readers...

To do so, there must be objectivity and honesty. Local agencies providing information to reporters, in addition to ensuring their political duties, also need to be objective, not only talking about their own good points but also daring to face their shortcomings and limitations, in order to make changes and improve.

From this perspective, to create conditions for the press to perform its tasks and collect information in an objective and transparent manner, the Departments of Information and Communications have proactively and actively advised and coordinated with local departments and branches to provide official, objective and authentic information, so that the press can provide criticism and suggestions to help local agencies and units operate more effectively, bring life to life, and meet tasks in the new situation.

Overcoming the lack of initiative and professionalism in providing information to the press

Discussing the role of the information and communication sector as a “bridge” in localities, National Assembly Delegate Nguyen Thi Suu (Thua Thien Hue delegation) said: “The Department of Information and Communication of provinces and cities plays a very important role in connecting departments, sectors, and localities with press agencies, contributing to improving the effectiveness of information and propaganda, meeting the needs of the people and serving the socio-economic development of the locality. By organizing regular press conferences, providing press cards and supporting administrative procedures, organizing training courses, etc. in recent times, the information and communication sector of localities has supported reporters of press agencies to have easier access to official news sources.

In particular, at the quarterly press conference, local departments, agencies and press agencies can exchange information and opinions on providing information to the press and on press activities in the province. This not only helps ensure the safety of reporters but also helps reporters better understand local regulations and policies, thereby performing their tasks more effectively and professionally, improving the quality of articles and reports.

A group of reporters from the Journalist & Public Opinion Newspaper, during a working trip in Lang Son, received active cooperation from the government as well as the information and communication sector of the province.

In fact, in recent times, many provincial and municipal Departments of Information and Communications have implemented measures to overcome the lack of planning, lack of initiative, and lack of professionalism in providing information to the press in Departments, branches, sectors, and localities through coordinating the organization of press conferences; seminars; meetings, awarding press awards; training on speaking skills, providing information to the press and handling media crises; publicly posting the list of spokespeople and providing information to the press on the provincial electronic information portal; establishing a Press Hotline; maintaining a national press bulletin writing about their locality every day to send to provincial leaders; promoting the application of information technology, digital technology, establishing zalo groups, quick and effective communication channels between the Department of Information and Communications with Departments, branches, sectors, localities and press agencies, ensuring the provision of official information to press agencies quickly, fully, promptly and effectively.

At the same time, the information and communication sector has proactively and actively advised the People's Committees of provinces and cities to promulgate and organize the implementation of legal documents, directives, management documents, creating a legal corridor and favorable conditions for press agencies to operate, such as: Regulations on speaking and providing information to the press; Regulations on managing the activities of Representative Offices and Resident Reporters; Plan to implement the Press Development and Management Plan; Plan for digital transformation of the press... In particular, when determining that there is a complicated case, it is necessary to proactively provide information to the press to guide public opinion.

Expressing his views on strengthening the role of “bridging the press with the grassroots”, National Assembly Delegate Hoang Van Cuong (Hanoi delegation) emphasized: “It is necessary to regularly evaluate the effectiveness of coordination in propaganda work on local activities and policies. This evaluation will help draw experiences, thereby improving the quality of propaganda in the coming time”.

Nguyen Huong

Source: https://www.congluan.vn/cau-noi-bao-chi-voi-co-so-post299729.html