Digital transformation of press and media in Vietnam today

Digital transformation of journalism in Vietnam aims to build press agencies in a professional, humane, and modern direction; to fulfill the mission of information and propaganda to serve the revolutionary cause of the Party and the innovation cause of the country.

According to the assessment of the Ministry of Information and Communications , our country's press has been gradually developing to adapt to the trends of technology, information and communication, while closely combining many types, means and increasing coverage both domestically and internationally, gradually meeting the requirements and tasks of information and communication in the new situation. Vietnamese revolutionary press is facing new difficulties and challenges, including both positive and volatile influences from the impact of the fourth industrial revolution and the challenges and opportunities of the digital transformation process in the world and the national digital transformation process. Anticipating such impacts, the Government issued Decision No. 348/QD-TTg dated May 6, 2023 of the Prime Minister approving the Strategy "Digital transformation of journalism to 2025, with a vision to 2030", according to which the goal of the strategy is: "Digital transformation of journalism aims to build press agencies in a professional, humane, and modern direction; fulfill the mission of information and propaganda to serve the revolutionary cause of the Party and the cause of national innovation; ensure the role of leading and orienting public opinion, maintaining information sovereignty in cyberspace; effectively innovate readers' experiences; create new sources of revenue; promote the development of the digital content industry". Digital transformation of press and media agencies is a change in the whole and comprehensive way, including working methods, organizational models, and creative activities of press works, and an important change in the awareness and attitude of leaders, reporters, and editors of press agencies. At the same time, it is an activity to develop journalism based on a convergence model, multi-platform, multi-service, multi-media and carry out political tasks such as information orientation and public opinion orientation in the new context of the Vietnamese revolution.

On that basis, the digital transformation of press and media needs to focus on closely following the 2019 press planning and Decision 348/QD-TTg dated May 6, 2023 of the Prime Minister approving the Strategy "Digital transformation of press to 2025, orientation to 2030". Accordingly, press agencies operate according to the converged newsroom model, in line with the development of advanced science and technology in the world, producing content according to digital press trends, press agencies put content on digital platforms and apply centralized data analysis and processing platforms, apply artificial intelligence to optimize operations and ensure information safety and security. On that basis, it is necessary to pay attention to implementing the following contents.

Firstly, perfecting the institutions and legal corridors on digital transformation for press agencies and state management agencies such as the Central Propaganda Department, the Ministry of Information and Communications and relevant agencies in a modern, synchronous, effective and efficient manner. Reviewing, developing and proposing amendments and supplements to legal documents on press and media and related documents to promote and support the digital transformation process of press agencies in a comprehensive and detailed manner to create a foundation and a clear legal corridor for the development of press agencies.

Second, build a convergence model at Vietnamese press and media agencies, especially key press agencies such as Nhan Dan Newspaper; Vietnam News Agency; Vietnam Television; Voice of Vietnam ... as a foundation and premise for other press agencies at both central and local levels to learn and build models suitable to the context of each agency and unit. Organize the editorial office in the direction of technology and content convergence. Technology and content convergence aims to focus on management methods, ways of organizing the production of press and media products and the combination of media to provide a unified platform at press and media agencies from functions, methods of publication, ownership, organizational form... Technology and content convergence is the result of the application of information technology in the field of press and media to unify the construction of facilities and technical infrastructure to provide the best utilities for the public and readers. Convergence of technology and content allows press and media agencies to build a modern technology platform, bringing all professional activities to the digital environment to help press and media agencies promptly grasp information and information needs of the public, thereby building news stories that meet the needs and timing of the public while protecting the activities of press agencies in the digital environment.

Third, develop multi-platform, multi-service and multimedia press products. On the basis of developing press products using many means such as writing, listening, viewing, online and being able to experience through many forms of performance such as content, images, videos, graphics, sounds on a press product, at the same time, develop media press product lines based on digital platforms, digital tools to form digital press. Integrate press products based on multi-platforms, multi-services such as integrating content through cooperation with partners to release on many platforms, including non-press platforms such as shopping applications, banking applications, etc. At the same time, apply big data and artificial intelligence in press and media activities, especially in creative activities of works. Especially in the current context, when technical and technological solutions mostly rely on different platforms to support the activities of press and media agencies to exploit their resources to serve the public most effectively. When the internet developed and had a strong impact on press and media agencies, there were many studies on the trend of multi-platform journalism based on public behavior. Initially, websites were prioritized (web-first), then digital content (digital first) to indicate a digital strategy for a specific newsroom. Recently, mobile devices were prioritized (mobile first) as well as prioritizing information dissemination to social networks (social first) with the goal of producing press and media products that are suitable for mobile devices, suitable for the agility of social media and social networks. When information must reach the public, applying artificial intelligence and big data is the best way for media agencies to reach the public quickly and effectively.

Workshop "Digital transformation, multimedia communication - Inevitable trends of development in modern journalism" - Photo: VGP/Hoang Giang

Fourth, developing digital content, in which technology is applied to develop digital press products, change the way digital content production is organized and improve the quality of public experience. Accordingly, the public has access to information in the digital environment anytime, anywhere and is not limited by space, time or geographical location. Under the impact of technology, the digital content industry has become a key economic sector, with high intellectual value and is a means to realize the information society and knowledge society. At the same time, digital content also allows the creation and presentation of press and media products on different platforms to increase interaction with a diverse audience, while distributing and deploying content faster, wider and more accurately according to the needs of readers.

Fifth, press and media agencies need to approach and implement the form of personalization and customization of press and media products. When press and media are based on the internet and digital technology, the public has easier and faster access to information flows, blurring the "borders" in the media environment. Geographical and national administrative boundaries in cyberspace are "erased", the process of information and information reception by the public is carried out continuously, through a large scale. The fact that information automatically reaches the public makes the issue of personalization and customization to meet the needs of each public increasingly present. The public's demand for press and media products on demand, personalization of interfaces, and personalization of information access have created a new playground for press and media.

Sixth, develop the press and media economy in the direction of autonomy of press agencies. Press and media economic activities must be consistent with the law and principles, purposes, and ensure political tasks. There must be synchronous solutions when press products are introduced to the market as a special commodity, and at the same time, there must be a legal corridor for the advertising activities of press agencies to be practical and effective.

Seventh, focus on developing human resources for journalism and media that are both “red” and “specialized”. Accordingly, higher education institutions specializing in journalism focus on updating knowledge and skills in the digital journalism environment in training programs for undergraduate and postgraduate students. It is necessary to develop plans and strategies for training and retraining journalists in various forms in the direction of strengthening the goals, content, and training programs that closely follow the development and trends of modern journalism, focusing on equipping specialized knowledge and skills, and improving the initiative and skills of journalists.

Eighth, it is necessary to soon form a national digital journalism platform. In particular, focus on building a national digital journalism infrastructure on the basis of promoting the model of a converged newsroom, sharing and deploying services on the network environment to allow press agencies to participate, transact, and provide services in a simple and convenient way, according to the requirements of the press agencies, thereby forming a digital platform ecosystem for the system of Vietnamese press agencies. Through the national digital platform, it allows connecting press agencies to be able to develop and share data widely on the basis of leveraging the resources and data of press agencies.

Ninth, effectively implement international cooperation in the field of press and media. Press and media agencies need to strengthen cooperation with domestic and foreign press agencies to share knowledge, exchange experiences and communicate to develop press activities in accordance with principles, purposes, humanity, modernity, both approaching the new and ensuring safety, security and national sovereignty.

The fourth industrial revolution opens a new era for industries, including the press and media industry, the era of Internet of Things connectivity and artificial intelligence. In addition, the rapid change of techniques and technology, especially the influence of digital transformation, has completely changed the way of making newspapers compared to the traditional environment. Accordingly, digital transformation aims to build a press that develops in the direction of multi-platform, multi-media, multi-service, playing a pivotal role in orienting information and orienting public opinion. Developing digital press products, changing the way of producing digital content, digital communication, improving the quality of reader experience. Digital transformation has brought about the trend of technological convergence, publishing on demand of users and new press platforms have been born to meet those requirements. Vietnamese press and media are gradually shifting to enter a new era - the era of digital press.

Dr. Tran Quang Dieu

Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Phan Thi Thanh Hai

Academy of Journalism and Communication

According to Propaganda Magazine

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