Every June, journalists fondly remember Vietnam Revolutionary Press Day on June 21st – a day to reflect on their professional journey, past achievements, and the values they have pursued. For me, over 16 years of dedication to journalism has been 16 years of journeys, encounters, reflections on life, and a continuous journey of learning and self-improvement to be worthy of the responsibility of a revolutionary journalist.
From youthful enthusiasm to the responsibility of a writer.
I still vividly remember May 1st, 2010, when I officially became a reporter for the North Central Vietnam Office of the Labor and Social Affairs Newspaper, located in the former Thanh Hoa city, now Hac Thanh ward, Thanh Hoa province. That was the milestone marking the beginning of the professional journey I had chosen with all the passion and enthusiasm of youth.
Journalist Hoang Minh during a reporting assignment in the former mountainous district of Lang Chanh (now Lang Chanh commune), Thanh Hoa province, in 2022.
The early days in my career were not easy. As a young, inexperienced reporter, I had to learn and gain experience on my own to grow. Every news item, every feature article, every assignment was a valuable lesson. There were days spent traveling hundreds of kilometers on the sun-drenched, windy roads of Central Vietnam, and nights spent working on articles to ensure timely delivery of information to readers.
Journalism has given me the opportunity to travel widely, meet many people, and witness moving stories of everyday life. These include diligent workers in industrial zones, farmers overcoming hardship to prosper in their homeland, and impoverished families struggling daily with life's difficulties. Each fate and circumstance has left me with profound reflections on the social responsibility of a writer.
Over a decade working at the Labor and Social Affairs Newspaper has been a time of professional development for me, honing both my expertise and my professional character. Field trips, challenging topics, and complex cases have helped me understand that journalism should not only reflect reality but also contribute to upholding justice, protecting the vulnerable, and spreading positive values in society.
June 1st, 2022 marked a new turning point when I was recruited as a staff member of the Industry and Trade Newspaper – the official publication of the Ministry of Industry and Trade . This was not only a source of joy and pride for me personally, but also a recognition of my tireless efforts throughout my career. As a reporter for the Industry and Trade Newspaper, I was assigned to Thanh Hoa province and to monitor information in three provinces: Ninh Binh, Thanh Hoa, and Nghe An. The wide geographical area and diverse reporting fields, ranging from industry, trade, and energy to the production and business activities of enterprises, opened up many opportunities for me to access new issues in the country's economy.
In the context of the ongoing digital transformation, journalism is also facing new demands. Today's journalists not only need to know how to write but also must be proficient in many multimedia skills, from photography, filming, and video editing to data mining and interaction on digital platforms. This requires each journalist to constantly learn and innovate to adapt to the development trends of modern journalism.
My honor continued when, on September 4, 2022, I was appointed Deputy Head of the Central Vietnam Representative Office of the Industry and Trade Newspaper by the Editor-in-Chief. This is both a source of pride and a great responsibility. From a field reporter, I have been given the additional task of participating in the management and operation of the representative office, working with colleagues to successfully complete the propaganda tasks in the region.
A series of investigative articles that uncover the truth.
The longer I work in this profession, the more I understand that journalism is a profession of dedication. Behind every journalistic work are long journeys, meetings, days spent quietly verifying information, and considerable pressure that outsiders can hardly imagine. But it is also this profession that brings a special happiness when my articles contribute to solving a social problem, protecting the legitimate rights of citizens, or spreading positive role models in life.
Journalist Hoang Minh interviewed Mr. Pham Ba Tiep, Party Secretary and Head of Xa Mang village (formerly Quan Son district – now Quan Son commune) during the national power grid connection for the village on December 5, 2022.
Throughout my career, many works have left a deep impression, but the most memorable for me is the five-part investigative series titled "The Fraudulent Contract That Turns Students into Overworked Laborers." The story began with a letter dated August 23, 2023, sent to the Industry and Trade Newspaper by parents whose children were studying at Bim Son Vocational College in Thanh Hoa province. The letter reported that the school, in collaboration with Global Labor Cooperation Co., Ltd., sent 181 students from the 15th cohort to Song Cong city, Thai Nguyen province, for practical training. However, in reality, the students did not receive proper vocational training but were forced to work as actual laborers with extended overtime hours, affecting their health and studies.
Upon receiving the complaint, I embarked on a challenging and stressful investigation. Numerous field trips were undertaken to meet with students and parents, gather documents, cross-reference records, and verify information. Through this investigation, many irregularities in the relationship between the school and the business gradually came to light. What troubled me most was the anxiety and unease of dozens of families who had placed their trust in the school's educational environment, stemming from those seemingly insignificant contracts.
The process of creating this series was far from smooth. Numerous pressures and threats emerged, aimed at hindering the collection of information. At times, I faced immense pressure. But my responsibility as a journalist, coupled with my determination to protect the legitimate rights of the students, helped me persevere in pursuing the truth to the very end.
When the series of articles was published, the authorities quickly launched an investigation and verification. As a result, the People's Committee of Thanh Hoa province held the Principal of Bim Son Vocational College and the entire school staff accountable for the reported violations. More importantly, the rights of the students were protected, and shortcomings in management and training partnerships were promptly rectified.
For me, it was one of the most meaningful moments in my journalistic career. Because the greatest reward is not titles or awards, but when the voices of the people are heard, their legitimate rights are protected, and the truth is brought to light.
Journalist Hoang Minh during a reporting assignment in the former Quang Xuong district (now Luu Ve commune), Thanh Hoa province in 2022.
However, the joy was further amplified when the series was awarded the A Prize in the Tran Mai Ninh Journalism Award organized by the Thanh Hoa Provincial Party Committee, and also reached the final round of the National Journalism Award and received a certificate. These awards are not only a recognition of my personal efforts but also proof of the value of investigative journalism and journalism for the community.
Over 16 years in the profession, the most valuable thing I've gained isn't my position or achievements, but the trust of my readers, the companionship of my colleagues, and the unforgettable experiences on my journalistic journey. On the occasion of Vietnam Revolutionary Press Day on June 21st, I feel even more proud of the profession I've chosen. The road ahead will undoubtedly hold many challenges, but the flame of passion for journalism will always burn in my heart. That is the motivation for me to continue on my journey, to continue writing, and to continue contributing with all the responsibility and dedication of a revolutionary journalist.
Source: https://congthuong.vn/di-den-su-that-hanh-trinh-giu-lua-nghe-bao-461960.html
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