Vietnam Journalists Association 2024

(NB&CL) 2024 was a year in which the Vietnam Journalists Association made many significant contributions to the journalistic landscape, most notably the first-ever National Press Conference held in Ho Chi Minh City, centered around the National Journalism Forum; working trips to provinces and cities nationwide to address difficulties faced by Journalists Associations at all levels; and the inauguration and handover of the renovated Huynh Thuc Khang School of Journalism, a National Historical Monument with profound significance in returning to its "roots"...

1. The 2024 National Press Conference – held in Ho Chi Minh City – was one of the largest events in the press sector in 2024, with the participation of most central and local press agencies, and provincial and city Journalists' Associations, embodying the pioneering and innovative spirit of Vietnamese journalism. The conference's impact stemmed from the seamless integration of professional activities such as press exhibitions and discussions with unique cultural and artistic programs, the awarding of Spring Press Prizes, the 3rd Journalists and Public Opinion Cup football tournament, and the "Convergent Vitality" music program… Notably, the 2024 National Press Conference featured 64 booths showcasing OCOP products from 50 provinces and centrally-governed cities, demonstrating the appeal and role of media and journalism in promoting regional economic development and the collaborative development between the press and businesses over the past year.

The National Journalism Awards ceremony featured innovative open-space settings and placed the honoring of authors at the heart of the event. Photo: Son Hai

The most impressive and profound highlight of the Press Conference was the first-ever National Press Forum, held within the framework of the event. This forum featured large-scale professional activities and brought together approximately 70 speakers – seasoned journalists, leaders of leading Vietnamese media organizations, and reputable international media experts – to discuss key and urgent issues facing Vietnam's revolutionary press today. For the first time, in-depth professional issues in journalism and media were brought together, becoming a unique and distinctive "professional meeting point." The professional stories, from the world to Vietnam, from tradition to modernity, from the challenges and pressures of the times to the transformation, innovation, seizing opportunities, and finding a path "right under one's feet," were all incredibly practical and useful.

As journalist Dong Manh Hung, Head of the Editorial Secretariat of the Voice of Vietnam Radio, shared: “The National Press Forum has touched upon many pressing and practical issues in journalism today, especially with many excellent discussion sessions on topics such as data journalism, journalism economics, and enhancing professional ethics and culture… These are all difficult topics to discuss, but this year's Press Forum highlighted these issues and found many practical solutions, thus attracting great interest from journalists and the public nationwide…”. It can be said that this success continues to provide impetus for the 2025 National Press Forum, which the Vietnam Journalists Association leadership has assigned the Newspaper of Journalists and Public Opinion to assist the Standing Committee in preparing the content from this point onwards.

One of the unforgettable highlights of the Vietnam Journalists Association's activities over the past year, marked by creativity, was the 18th National Journalism Awards Ceremony. For the first time, the awards ceremony was held in an open space, featuring outstanding journalistic reports, creative artistic performances, and, most importantly, honoring all authors, making them the center of the event. The organizing committee decided on a comprehensive reform, including a complete overhaul of the program format, from finding a new, more open venue to changing the award presentation method and tailoring special performances specifically for the ceremony. The program maintained its journalistic focus, ensuring that the performances did not overshadow the awards presentation, while still being engaging for the audience.

The 2024 National Press Conference – held in Ho Chi Minh City – was one of the largest events for the press in 2024 and the most outstanding highlight of the past year. Photo: Son Hai

2. As a highlight in the vibrant journey of the Vietnam Journalists Association over the past year, the inauguration and handover of the renovated National Historical Monument of the Huynh Thuc Khang School of Journalism left a lasting impression. With the desire to continue preserving and promoting the historical value and significance of the Monument in commemoration of the 75th anniversary of the School's founding, the Vietnam Journalists Association directed the establishment of a project to renovate and restore the Huynh Thuc Khang School of Journalism site using socialized capital...

Although most of the "old-school" figures have passed away, a magnificent and meaningful project, built with dedication, intellect, and responsibility, has fully and convincingly restored and recreated the unique training cradle, adding another significant destination to the map of contemporary Vietnamese journalism. The project has become a historical site, connected to the historical and cultural landmarks of the former Viet Bac war zone, a meaningful "return to roots" point for journalists nationwide… This event also marks the beginning of a series of events leading up to the 100th anniversary of the Vietnamese Revolutionary Press Day, which the Vietnam Journalists Association has been and is currently implementing.

The "Lighting the Flame of Gratitude" program was also one of the major highlights in the series of activities of the Vietnam Journalists Association over the past year. The highlight was the Memorial Service for 511 heroic revolutionary journalists at Au Lac Pagoda - Da Pagoda (Vinh City). The immense contributions of these journalist-martyrs serve as a shining example and a reminder for every journalist today to strive harder, overcome difficulties, constantly innovate, be professional and make breakthroughs, and contribute positively to the cause of Vietnamese revolutionary journalism… It is from this significance that the Vietnam Journalists Association has set a plan to build a memorial house for the 511 journalist-martyrs at Da Pagoda, Nghe An in 2025 – contributing to creating another significant landmark of Vietnamese revolutionary journalism.

The final days of the Year of the Dragon were marked by the 17th Vietnam Journalists Association Table Tennis Championship - Golden Star Cup 2024. The organizing committee of the 17th Vietnam Journalists Association Table Tennis Championship implemented many innovative initiatives in its organization, receiving high praise from experts and athletes alike. In particular, the 17th edition saw an upgraded organizational process with support from professional individuals and organizations, demonstrating continuous innovation. Through the moments of competition, the skillful and masterful shots showcased the dedication, passion, and fierce competition of journalists nationwide. To some extent, the Vietnam Journalists Association Table Tennis Cup boosted morale and created new motivation for journalists, fostering greater enthusiasm, passion, and dedication to their profession, with the mission of building unwavering trust in the public…

The inauguration and handover ceremony of the renovated Huynh Thuc Khang Journalism School National Historical Monument evoked many emotions, adding another meaningful destination to the map of contemporary Vietnamese journalism. Photo: Son Hai

3. The "reaching out to the grassroots" program continued to be an impressive highlight in the activities of the Vietnam Journalists Association over the past year. Journalist Nguyen Duc Loi – Standing Vice President of the Vietnam Journalists Association – affirmed: “2024, for the Vietnam Journalists Association, is a year of innovation, breakthroughs, and a starting point for many key tasks, especially the preparation for the 12th Congress of the Vietnam Journalists Association. In 2024, we consider activities reaching out to the grassroots as one of our strategic and key activities…”.

Over the past year, the Vietnam Journalists Association's delegation has worked with provincial and city leaders and departments in Phu Yen, Nghe An, Can Tho, and other provinces to further enhance the role, quality, and effectiveness of local Journalists Associations in the new context, aiming for practicality, usefulness, and alignment with the rights and interests of members. These trips have provided Association leaders with a comprehensive overview of the national press landscape and the activities of the Associations at all levels, thereby providing a basis for reporting to the Party Central Committee and the Central Propaganda Department to address obstacles related to finance, human resources, and budget.

It can be said that the "Going to the Grassroots" work trips have been a special highlight of a vibrant 2024, as well as the past activities of the Vietnam Journalists Association. They successfully concretize the spirit of "Proactive, creative, decisive, and effective," focusing on members and journalists. Interspersed within these grassroots programs are a series of meticulously organized conferences and seminars, closely following current events in all regions, such as the Conference on High-Quality Journalism in the Context of Digital Transformation to meet the new requirements of the National Journalism Award Regulations, the Dissemination of Party policies and State laws on the Association, and the Improvement of Advisory Quality in Office Work…

These key highlights have reflected, to some extent, the vibrancy of the past year, as well as the spirit of innovation and solidarity – bringing together members and journalists in a "common home" filled with collegial affection. It can be said that these activities have contributed to the successful fulfillment of the political tasks of the Vietnam Journalists Association, helping to stabilize the ideological situation and fostering greater unity and cohesion among all levels of the Association nationwide.

The first National Press Forum, featuring in-depth professional activities for journalists and media professionals, has become a unique and distinctive "professional meeting point." Photo: Son Hai

4. The Vietnam Journalists Association's goals for 2025 will be: "Continuing to build a strong Association: Unity – Discipline – Innovation – Creativity – Development"; completing the entire term's program, holding congresses at all levels towards the 12th National Congress of the Vietnam Journalists Association, term 2025-2030"... These will be the key focuses for 2025. To achieve this, the Vietnam Journalists Association has set many specific tasks to implement in the coming period.

Accordingly, the Party Committee of the Vietnam Journalists Association is directing all levels of the Association nationwide to take steps to develop plans and organize the implementation of the five-year review of Directive No. 43-CT/TW of the Central Party Secretariat on strengthening the Party's leadership over the activities of the Vietnam Journalists Association in the new situation; based on this, to make recommendations and proposals to competent authorities on mechanisms and policies for journalistic activities and the activities of the Vietnam Journalists Association in the current context. It will continue to consolidate and build a unified and tightly-knit organizational system of the Vietnam Journalists Association in accordance with the Association's Charter. It will continue to pay attention to and strengthen the education and training of professional skills, ethics, and expertise for journalists and members of the Vietnam Journalists Association – considering this a key task of great importance for the strong and sustainable development of journalism.

Continue to pay attention to and prioritize the inspection and supervision of members, the implementation of regulations for Vietnamese journalists, and rules for participating in social media; resolutely and promptly correct journalist members who show signs of ideological and political changes or moral degradation; and strictly handle journalists who violate the law and professional ethics. Fully utilize the role and responsibility of the Council for Handling Violations of the Code of Professional Ethics for Vietnamese Journalists, promptly handling and issuing strict judgments against all levels of the Association and members who violate professional ethics.

Simultaneously, we will continue to understand the thoughts, aspirations, and legitimate needs of our members, promptly addressing and protecting their legitimate rights and interests; encouraging and rewarding collectives and individuals with outstanding achievements in journalistic activities and association work; and continuing to direct all levels of the Journalists' Association to effectively participate in the emulation movement "Building a cultural environment in media agencies"...

The 17th Vietnam Journalists Association Table Tennis Championship - Golden Star Cup 2024 - a vibrant sporting event at the end of the year. Photo: Son Hai

In particular, the Journalists' Associations at all levels are also continuing to urgently implement the plan to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Vietnamese Revolutionary Press Day and the 75th anniversary of the founding of the Vietnam Journalists' Association… contributing to building a team of journalists nationwide that is increasingly strong in political acumen, professional expertise, and professional ethics, and effectively fulfilling the requirement of “Building a professional, humane, and modern press and media” in the spirit of the Party's 13th National Congress Resolution. They are also leading, directing, and effectively implementing the preparations for the 12th National Congress of the Vietnam Journalists' Association, for the 2025-2030 term.

This is an important political, social, and professional event, a forum for journalists nationwide; therefore, the preparation and organization of the Congress must be carried out with high standards in terms of document content, personnel matters, and the organization of the Congress itself. In addition, annual tasks continue to be implemented scientifically and creatively, aiming for practicality and usefulness, and aligning with the rights and interests of members.

It can be said that what the Vietnam Journalists Association has achieved in the past year is creating a vibrant atmosphere from the central level to the localities... Clearly, the impact of each outstanding event not only created a brilliant 2024 but, with the accumulated energy and excellence, will certainly create momentum for a strong surge in 2025 – a year of many great tasks and responsibilities awaiting. We are confident that with the wisdom and unity of the Executive Committee of the Vietnam Journalists Association, 11th term, and the collective efforts of the provincial and city-level associations, branches, and chapters… we will usher in a 2025 filled with many new successes!

May River

Source: https://www.congluan.vn/hoi-nha-bao-viet-nam-2024--dau-an-tu-nhung-su-kien-post327765.html