Leveraging Technology to Reach the Public

Although carried out on many different scales, many press agencies have realized the importance as well as the danger of not transforming digitally.

Along with the State’s policy and the public’s anticipation, press agencies have enthusiastically entered the digital transformation process. There are products that create “media miracles” but there are also products that are quietly “stored” because they are not known.

Experts and managers have come to a consensus that digital transformation is not a technology race because any advanced technology will eventually become obsolete. In fact, digital transformation is a process of changing the mindset of journalism, being ready to try new things, and always being creative to bring experiences to readers.

Regarding this issue, Mr. Le Quoc Minh, member of the Party Central Committee, Editor-in-Chief of Nhan Dan Newspaper, Deputy Head of the Central Propaganda and Mass Mobilization Commission, Chairman of the Vietnam Journalists Association took time to talk with reporters of VietnamPlus Electronic Newspaper.

Big disadvantage if lagging behind in technology

- 2025 marks the 100th anniversary of Vietnam Revolutionary Press, which is also an important milestone in implementing the Digital Transformation Strategy of Press. How do you evaluate the speed of digital transformation of domestic press agencies?

Journalist Le Quoc Minh: We have been talking about digital transformation since before the COVID-19 pandemic. However, after nearly 3 years of promoting it with many conferences, seminars, talks, and training programs, the situation has almost stagnated. Many people still do not know what digital transformation is or are waiting to see what other newspapers are doing and then they will do it again.

Mr. Le Quoc Minh, Deputy Head of the Central Propaganda and Mass Mobilization Commission, President of the Vietnam Journalists Association, Editor-in-Chief of Nhan Dan Newspaper presented a speech at the National Press Forum 2025. (Photo: Minh Quyet/VNA)

As a push, the COVID-19 pandemic has left many press agencies with no choice but to digitally transform. Although carried out on many different scales, many press agencies have realized the importance as well as the dangers of not transforming digitally.

The good news is that the transformation has been quite strong in some local newspapers, radio stations or small press agencies. They have converted to digital very quickly, achieved results and even inspired large press agencies.

Despite many positive signs, digital transformation efforts are still uneven. To date, there are still press agencies nationwide that have not been able to operate content channels on social networks, do not understand artificial intelligence (AI), or have not invested in developing multimedia production.

The organizing committee scores the exhibition booths at the 2025 National Press Festival. (Photo: Minh Quyet/VNA)

- According to the Ministry of Information and Communications ' Digital Transformation Maturity Report 2024, in the list of the top 10 units in each category, there are quite a few local press agencies. Does that mean that local press is capable of doing better than large press agencies and central press, sir?

The transformation is happening quite strongly in some local newspapers, radio stations or small press agencies. They have converted to digital very quickly, achieved results and even inspired large press agencies.

Mr. Le Quoc Minh

Journalist Le Quoc Minh: It is important to understand that the digital transformation maturity index has very clear criteria and if the press agency meets those criteria, it will be ranked high or low, regardless of its size.

For example, there are very large press agencies that do not meet a certain criterion, such as digital signature, and will lose points.

Of course, the ranking shows the fact that central press agencies have many conditions, but if they are subjective and do not keep up with the trend, they can completely fall behind. Meanwhile, local press agencies with very limited resources, if they boldly invest and meet all the evaluation criteria, can rise up the rankings.

VicePresident Vo Thi Anh Xuan attended the launching ceremony of special publications of Nhan Dan Newspaper to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the liberation of the South and national reunification. (Photo: Phuong Hoa/VNA)

I think it is important that each newspaper does not stand still but continues to improve.

Digital transformation is a continuous process, not a cycle that can be completed and then you can rest assured that you have completed digital transformation. Even highly ranked press agencies must continue to strive to improve themselves and update scientific and technological advances, otherwise they will fall behind. And falling behind in technology means that even if you have good reporters and good news, you cannot reach the public. This is a huge disadvantage for press agencies.

Dare to step out of your comfort zone

- In your opinion, what do journalists and press agencies need to do to adapt and master technology, both maintaining the mission of providing official information and having products that attract readers?

Journalist Le Quoc Minh: In the past, we did journalism in a simple way with a pen, a camera, a notebook, but over the past 20 years, technology has played an important role for users when connecting via the Internet platform, coming together via social networks. A good news article, an attractive radio and television report, but without technology, it will be difficult to target and difficult to spread to the public, especially abroad.

Without technology and without distinctive styles, journalism cannot create its own identity. (Photo: Minh Thu/Vietnam+)

In the past, for newspapers, content was still "king," but without technology and without the special, unique styles of each newspaper, it was impossible to create a unique identity.

Recently, the press has applied artificial intelligence to create interesting new products. Press agencies need to be bold in experimenting and applying technology.

Of course, there is no technology that is universal for all newsrooms. Some newsrooms may use suitable software, while others may use other technology more effectively. However, we must be bold in experimenting, accepting mistakes and failures to find effective technologies.

We must be bold in experimenting, accepting mistakes and failures to find effective technologies.

Mr. Le Quoc Minh

It is important to step out of your comfort zone, start with small experiments first, and then gradually move on to bigger projects. The most important thing is the spirit of daring to think, daring to do, and being ready to face failure to learn and progress.

I would like to reiterate that it is not enough to buy a lot of technology and machinery to successfully transform, but to change the entire mindset about how the newsroom operates and how it is produced to effectively use technology.

This issue should be "measured according to one's cloth," depending on the financial capacity of each newsroom to test new technology.

Buying a lot of technology and machinery does not mean successful digital transformation. (Photo: PV/Vietnam+)

- What are your expectations for the new chapter of Vietnamese journalism after the 100-year milestone?

Journalist Le Quoc Minh: Vietnamese journalism is not outside the flow of world journalism. Therefore, editorial offices must refer to the development trends of world journalism.

The most important thing is to observe and recognize the public's habits. We must know how they change their information reception habits so that we can have the appropriate approach.

When we see the content needs of readers moving to digital platforms, we proceed with digital transformation. However, digital platforms will continue to change in the future. Instead of using familiar devices such as computers or phones, users may switch to using devices that are being researched or will be researched. Will we be able to grasp it?

Only when the above problem is solved, can the press have a place. Otherwise, we will be competed by many other platforms. When the public is far from the press, we cannot fulfill our responsibility to create good values ​​for society.

General Secretary and President To Lam and Standing member of the Party Central Committee Secretariat Luong Cuong, Head of the Central Steering Committee 35, presented A prizes to authors and groups of authors participating in the Political Contest on Protecting the Party's Ideological Foundation. (Photo: Lam Khanh/VNA)

I think the press needs to change its perspective from waiting for readers to come to it, to going out and finding readers. Therefore, it is necessary to proactively focus on producing high-quality, professional, attractive and highly reliable information so that readers do not get lost in the "sea of ​​information" on social networks and the internet that has not been verified.

In the future, to maintain its leading role in society, revolutionary journalism needs to stick to two pillars: content and technology. Content is still the soul, the core element that represents the identity and social value of journalism. But for that content to reach the public quickly, effectively and attractively, technology is an indispensable lever.

Thank you very much!

Readers are invited to read the series of articles:

(Vietnam+)

Source: https://www.vietnamplus.vn/dung-cong-nghe-lam-don-bay-de-tiep-can-cong-chung-post1045296.vnp