Veteran photographer Gian Thanh Son (right) and journalist - director Huu Vinh. Photo: T. Thao
Chairman of Vietnam Journalists Association Le Quoc Minh: Journalism faces unprecedented challenges!
On the sidelines of the 2024 National Press Festival, Dong Khoi Newspaper reporters had the opportunity to record the sharing of Party Central Committee member, Editor-in-Chief of Nhan Dan Newspaper - Chairman of the Vietnam Journalists Association Le Quoc Minh. In the context of rapid technological development and profound changes in the public's information reception behavior, the press is facing a series of unprecedented challenges. Journalist Le Quoc Minh pointed out the core issues that the press today must solve if it does not want to fall behind, or even be eliminated from the media game.
“The press is no longer the only place to provide and monitor information.” This is the frank opening statement of journalist Le Quoc Minh. In fact, today, every individual can become a “freelance journalist” when holding a smartphone and social network. They can report, comment, and even produce content that has great influence without any censorship. Not only that, artificial intelligence (AI) is expanding the scope of creativity, allowing mass production of content, even fake, misleading but still very convincing. Users are faced with a “flood of information”, finding it difficult to distinguish between real and fake, right and wrong.
There is no denying that technology is completely changing the way journalism is done. In the past, a journalist only needed a pen, a notebook, and a camera. But now, with just a smartphone, anyone can record clips, write articles, and create professional images. AI tools can create illustrations in just a few seconds. However, technology should not be seen as a threat, but on the contrary, it should be used as an effective support tool. Tasks such as correcting spelling mistakes, choosing headlines, suggesting profile pictures, and translating into multiple languages should be handled by machines, allowing journalists to focus on more creative and humane work.
For a long time, newspapers relied on platforms like Facebook and YouTube in the hope of reaching readers and earning revenue from advertising. But reality has proven that expectation fragile. Technology giants have now turned their backs on news, even declaring that they no longer need journalistic content. Therefore, newspapers cannot continue to depend on external platforms. "We need to return to the basic way of doing journalism: building a direct relationship with readers" - Journalist Le Quoc Minh affirmed. Newspapers must know who their readers are, what they read, what they like and where they come from. From there, personalize content, enhance user experience and build lasting loyalty.
One of the survival strategies proposed by the Chairman of the Vietnam Journalists Association, Le Quoc Minh, is to diversify revenue sources. If each newsroom wants to survive in the long term, it must operate at least 3-4 models at the same time. These could be content fees, event organization, copyright sales, media cooperation, e-commerce, data mining, or developing specialized media products. The press must be flexible, creative, and persistent in its journey to find a model that suits its characteristics and target market.
Journalist - photographer Gian Thanh Son: Journalists need to be able to apply modern equipment
Gian Thanh Son (born in 1957 in Long An ) is a rare journalist and photographer in Vietnam who has the opportunity to fly on special flights to capture the offshore islands of the Fatherland with his lens. In more than 40 years of working as a journalist, he has worked in 80 countries and set 4 national records for press photography.
Veteran journalist and photographer Gian Thanh Son shared his special feelings about the strong development of local journalism, along with memorable professional experiences during nearly 50 years of journalism. From the exhibitions of local newspapers at press festivals, he expressed his deep impressions with the scale and depth of content of the exhibition booths from local newspapers, especially those from the northern provinces of the Hau River such as Ben Tre (Dong Khoi Newspaper), Vinh Long, Tra Vinh, Long An, Dong Thap, Tien Giang (Ap Bac Newspaper). Newspapers that were very rudimentary in the 1990s have now made great strides in both form and content. “Information from local newspapers has now expanded beyond the province, with the ability to update internationally. Local online newspapers can now be accessed from anywhere in the world , something that was previously unimaginable,” said journalist and photographer Gian Thanh Son.
Not only a journalist, he is also a famous photographer with aerial works - the result of many years of working in helicopters with the air force or on business trips. "I have flown over Ben Tre many times. In the past, there was a time when the coconut trees were stunted and sparse, but later when flying over Ben Tre, I saw the green color returning. Looking from above, seeing my homeland change, I was very emotional", journalist - photographer Gian Thanh Son said.
He also emphasized the important role of technology in work, when modern journalism requires quick reflexes, as well as the ability to apply modern equipment such as flycam, 360-degree camera, and online transmission technology. Concluding his sharing, photographer Gian Thanh Son said that despite nearly half a century of working in the profession, he still maintains his passion for photojournalism - a form that not only captures moments but also tells vivid stories about the country and its people.
“The press cannot stand still. Only by taking advantage of technology, constantly innovating business models and building sustainable relationships with readers, can the press have the opportunity to not only survive, but also develop sustainably in the digital age.” (Chairman of Vietnam Journalists Association Le Quoc Minh) |
ARTHROPIC (recorded)
Source: https://baodongkhoi.vn/goc-nhin-nghe-bao-hien-nay-17062025-a148289.html
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