Behind the scenes of journalism

When the newspaper, still smelling of fresh ink, reaches readers each morning, or when a breaking news story pops up on the internet, few realize the bustling sounds that lie behind the scenes. It's a world of overnight journeys, intense intellectual battles at writing and editing desks, and even the silent tears shed after pages have barely dried.

Reporter Minh Thủy, in charge of the "Bridge of Compassion" column, has helped hundreds of people in difficult circumstances.

Unwearying footsteps

Tuyen Quang drifted into sleep to the faint dance of streetlights and the gentle drizzle. The clock on the wall ticked past midnight. The phone rang; a landslide in Khau Tinh village, Khau Tinh commune (now Yen Hoa commune), had buried three young children. Reporters Le Duy and Quoc Viet received orders to leave at 4 a.m. Instinct and professional duty kicked in; cameras were fully charged, flashlights, laptops, and backpacks with a few changes of clothes were neatly packed. A night of suspense and sleeplessness awaited departure.

After traveling nearly 170 km along steep, muddy mountain roads, the journey became increasingly perilous as we approached the site. The torrential rain transformed the smooth slopes of the day into terrifying mud traps, causing the wheels to spin and slide precariously along the edge of the cliff. In some sections, severe landslides occurred, with entire hillsides collapsing and blocking the path. We had to abandon our vehicles and continue on foot, relying on local forest rangers to provide transportation by motorbike.

Upon arrival, we were met with a scene of devastation: a wooden house buried under a massive pile of earth, heart-wrenching cries, and the distraught eyes of the villagers mourning the three young lives lost. Amidst the rubble that could collapse at any moment, Quoc Viet knelt in the mud, pointing his camera towards the rescue workers who were struggling to clear the road.

Each click of the camera shutter was not just a frame, but a vivid slice of truth. Amidst the misty rain, we hurried to find a secluded corner under the eaves of the cultural center, opened our computers, and sent the hot-off-the-press image files to the editorial office. In that moment, the chill of the rain and the lurking danger receded, giving way to the burning passion coursing through our veins.

Young reporter Le Thuy, from the News Department, is on assignment in Yen Son commune.

Brainstorming in an air-conditioned room

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Equally intense, in the Editorial Office, working long hours was commonplace. The atmosphere was always heated by fierce debates. Sometimes, young reporters would feel resentful upon rereading their articles, feeling their work censored or subjected to rigorous verification of their sources. Editorial secretary Minh Tuyen said that journalism isn't about embellishing with flowery words. We write with the tears of the people, with the breath of life, so every word we utter must carry immense weight.

Behind the scenes of those rooms is where the rough edges of life are polished into precious gems, where the cool head of the editor must restrain the hot head of the field reporter to create a balanced, accurate, and humane work.

Reporter Quang Hoa, from the News Department, is reporting from Yen Lam commune.

Behind the Spotlight

Journalists are often compared to tireless, free, and proud birds. But few see the quiet moments behind those wings. Journalism is about hurried meals eaten when the soup has already gone cold, last-minute cancellations of appointments with loved ones due to unexpected events, and sleepless New Year's Eve nights spent on street corners to finish a report on the festive atmosphere.

For those pursuing topics related to policy and people's lives, that pressure is multiplied many times over. They face rejection, scrutinizing glances, and sometimes even anonymous threats when they touch upon the dark side of factional interests. Despite the hardships and pressure, if you ask me and my colleagues if we ever regret choosing this profession, the answer is definitely "no." Because, behind the struggles of the backstage are simple, sweet joys that no amount of money can buy.

That joy is sometimes just the warm handshake of an elderly farmer in the highlands when an article reflects on the development direction of local specialty crops, helping farmers find stable markets for their produce and opening a path out of poverty for an entire village. That joy is when an article about social welfare, just published, immediately receives the support of philanthropists, giving an orphaned child the opportunity to continue their education. Or, more simply, it's the feeling of relief when a new issue of the newspaper comes out, smelling of fresh ink, turning each page and seeing the sweat of oneself and colleagues crystallized into neat lines of text for readers. At that moment, the fatigue of night trips, the scars from thorns scratching the forest, or sleepless nights reviewing articles suddenly vanish like soap bubbles.

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That's what the behind-the-scenes world of journalism is like – it's not glittering with spotlights or resounding applause, but it contains all the truest aspects of a reporter's life and personality. Ultimately, journalism is a long-running series where the behind-the-scenes aspects are always more thrilling and emotionally rich than the scenes shown. True journalists are like silent wordsmiths, using their youth and sweat to keep pace with the flow of information in society.

As a new day begins, fresh pages of newspapers arrive in the hands of readers, their ink still fresh, or they gleam brightly on electronic screens. And somewhere, after completing their mission, the "soldiers" behind the scenes quietly pack up their equipment, smile to greet the new day, and prepare for the next journey – a arduous journey to uncover the truth.

Notes by: Le Duy

Source: https://baotuyenquang.com.vn/xa-hoi/202606/hau-truong-nghe-bao-37114ca/