Behind every piece of information lies a story.
With over 15 years dedicated to investigative journalism, journalist Ho Tri (Specialized Programs - Science and Education Department, Vietnam Television) has left his mark through numerous reports such as: "The Forest Cries for Help," "The Trap," etc., earning him many prestigious awards, from the National Journalism Award, the Golden Kite Award to Gold and Silver Medals at the National Television Festival.
However, what troubled him most was not the awards or the reach of his work, but the fate of the people featured in his investigative reports. According to him, investigative journalism does not mean becoming a judge.
After the reports were produced and broadcast, the wrongdoings were exposed, and many related officials were disciplined, some even prosecuted. Many viewers messaged the team to thank them for contributing to bringing these negative incidents to light. But instead of feeling happy, he felt a heavy heart.
"What we want is not to push anyone to the brink. Journalism reflects the truth to make society better, not to create convictions," he shared.
Once, after a news report aired, someone texted him: "I'd rather you let me go to jail for a few years than appear on television for a few dozen seconds."
That statement troubled him. Because a sentence will eventually end. But public judgment sometimes lasts forever. “There are characters who have left their works, but they still have to live on. They still have families, futures, and opportunities to make amends.”
According to journalist Ho Tri, behind every wrongdoing lies a story, and sometimes a personal tragedy.
In journalist Ho Tri's report "The Trap" about human trafficking rings, many people automatically view those involved in these networks as criminals. But upon closer examination, he realized that many were victims of human trafficking, forced into labor and compelled to participate in the fraudulent activities.
"If we only look at the surface, it's easy to condemn. But when we understand more deeply, we'll see that there are people who deserve more sympathy than condemnation," said journalist Ho Tri.
After many years pursuing investigative journalism, journalist Ho Tri concluded that, in addition to sharpness, analytical skills, and critical thinking, journalists also need a sufficiently high EQ to see the people behind the dry facts.
There were many times he was ready to abandon a topic even after pursuing it for a long time. He recalled a case involving underage girls forced into working in disguised prostitution rings. By the time the investigation was complete, some of the individuals involved had gotten married and started new lives.
"If it were broadcast, even with their faces covered and voices distorted, people who knew them could still recognize them. That could affect their marriage and future. At that point, I would have to weigh the value of the information against the fate of these people," he said.
For journalist Ho Tri, empathy is not about covering up wrongdoing, but about viewing the issue from a more humane perspective, so that those who have made mistakes still have a chance to correct them and rebuild their lives.
Ready to face danger
Many people often measure the success of an investigative piece by criminal statistics. But for journalist Vo Manh Hung of Vietnamplus, who has nearly 15 years of experience in investigative journalism, venturing into thorny topics, the ultimate goal of journalism is to resolve hot issues, contribute to policy change, and bring faith and hope for the change that people are waiting for.
He doesn't consider himself an "investigative journalist," but rather an ordinary journalist who is daring, eager to learn, and willing to face danger. He recalls that in 2017, when cracking down on illegal sand mining in Hung Yen , he and his colleagues were surrounded by dozens of "gangsters," who relentlessly pursued them in trucks as they left the scene.
Or consider the time he single-handedly interviewed 17 people, including district leaders and polluting businesses in Central Vietnam. He was barred from using any equipment, his only weapons being a pen and a notebook. With a cool head and quick thinking, he still managed to gather enough material to successfully write a three-part series.
For journalist Vo Manh Hung, the more difficult and challenging the topic, the more it motivates him to pursue and carry it out. This is clearly demonstrated in his series of articles "The Danger of Environmental Destruction for Economic Gains " (Award A at the 2022 National Journalism Awards), which he relentlessly pursued for over five years. After the Formosa disaster in 2016, witnessing fishermen losing everything and their livelihoods at sea, he realized this was only the tip of the iceberg. If the root cause is not addressed, the "seeds" of environmental destruction will continue to sprout like mushrooms.
He traveled to a cement factory in central Vietnam that was causing serious pollution, where residents were desperately crying out for help. Reaching the people was difficult because they had lost faith due to the media's numerous reports that failed to resolve the issue. Through the empathy of a fellow countryman, he listened and persuaded them. When the people's legitimate voices were reported in the press, the authorities immediately intervened, addressing the violations, forcing the company to compensate residents, relocate them, and rectify the consequences.
But what journalist Manh Hung was most passionate about went beyond simply resolving a temporary hotspot. Following the series of articles, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (now the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment) incorporated the regulation of "unannounced, surprise inspections" into the Environmental Protection Law. "The policy is the foundation; people are merely the implementers. When policies are enacted with the people in mind, and the authorities implement them correctly, similar incidents will be prevented," said journalist Vo Manh Hung.
Because he chose a path that prioritizes long-term sustainability, in all his articles, he never mentioned anyone being imprisoned, even though authorities have prosecuted many cases. "Instead of playing the role of someone who imposes accusations, journalists should be storytellers, guides who deliver constructive messages and fundamental solutions for society," journalist Vo Manh Hung stated.
Thanks to his enduring dedication, journalist Vo Manh Hung has garnered over 40 national journalism awards and numerous other journalism accolades.
Source: https://baotintuc.vn/xa-hoi/di-tim-su-that-bang-su-thau-cam-20260619162810637.htm
