Courage, ability but modest in number
Currently, the country has more than 800 press agencies with about 41,000 people working in the field of press and media, of which about 21,000 are granted press cards. Although the number of female journalists is increasing in both quality and quantity, the potential has not been fully exploited. The proportion of female members in the Vietnam Journalists Association accounts for more than 40%, but to date there has not been a female leader holding the position of Vice President of the Association or higher; the number of female editors-in-chief is also quite modest compared to the total number of female journalists.
Leading the discussion, journalist Phan Thanh Phong, Head of the Special Topics Department (Nhan Dan Newspaper) affirmed that, through a century of development of Vietnam's revolutionary journalism, the figure of female journalists has always been present, silently but persistently, sometimes not given due attention but an indispensable part of the history of this profession. They not only write articles, but also go out into the field, holding pens as a weapon and leaving a deep impression in the hearts of readers as well as in the country's journalism life.
“Even during the fierce war years, many female reporters stepped out of the “traditional” boundaries of women, facing danger and living on the battlefield. In the period of innovation, women journalists continued to assert their mettle through increasingly higher roles in the press system. Many female editors-in-chief have contributed to opening up a humane, innovative and current way of thinking about journalism. They are not just “seat holders”, but also people who maintain identity, coordinate content strategies and handle crises in an ever-changing press environment, under great pressure from both public opinion and internal management”, emphasized journalist Phan Thanh Phong.
However, journalist Phan Thanh Phong also frankly stated that the proportion of women in senior journalism leadership roles is still too modest compared to the potential. Many talented female journalists still hesitate to enter management positions due to the double burden of family and work, gender stereotypes in management or lack of opportunities to access modern management skills in the digital environment.
In the current context, when the media is in the midst of a storm of digital transformation, AI, multi-channel platforms and unprecedented competitive pressure, the role of leaders becomes even more crucial. There, women's voices need to be heard, recognized and given equal and real opportunities to develop.
Need fair opportunity and real trust
At the discussion session, journalist Cam Hoa, Director of VOV5 channel ( Voice of Vietnam ) said that VOV currently has about 50.36% women, including 48.9% of department-level leaders; 37% of department-level leaders; 16% of department-level leaders and no women in the Station's Senior Leadership Board. Although female journalists working in the journalism industry account for more than half, it is very rare for them to strive to reach high-level leadership positions. Meanwhile, women have many advantages in the process of working, have good intuition, deeply understand gender issues and tend to fight for equality, for girls, and volunteer activities.
At a press agency where more than 60% of its staff are female, journalist Ly Viet Trung, Editor-in-Chief of Ho Chi Minh City Women's Newspaper and Vice President of the Ho Chi Minh City Journalists Association, said that female journalists in leadership positions are very strong and most of them, when they reach a certain position, will certainly have a solid support system. However, journalist Ly Viet Trung also said that women are talented and capable but not really confident, so they have not yet broken through in leadership positions.
Journalist Ha Tung Long (Today's Rural Newspaper/Dan Viet Electronic) commented that in the era of digital journalism, the voices of female leaders in press agencies are clearly present and relatively easy to identify. The voices of women in press management now are not simply about being present in the leadership apparatus, but in recent years have contributed to changing the nature of communication, from pure information to communication that creates positive social impact.
Sharing about the management style of female leaders, journalist Nguyen Tri Thuc, member of the Editorial Board, Director of the Center for Topics and Communication - Distribution (Communist Magazine) said that with the two powers of a leader, hard power and soft power, women have more advantages than men in soft power. If they practice their mettle and have a scientific working method, women will be very good leaders in the press environment.
The discussion session had frank exchanges on management capacity, the journey to overcome prejudices and the necessary conditions to discover, nurture and support the new generation of female press leaders. Delegates also agreed that female journalists are not only good at their jobs, but can also be good leaders. They do not need favors, just fair opportunities and true trust. When women step up, not only will they change, but the press will also mature in a more sustainable and humane way.
Source: https://hanoimoi.vn/khang-dinh-ban-linh-cua-nu-gioi-trong-dieu-hanh-tin-tuc-706111.html
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