Elevating journalism after the merger.

In anticipation of the 101st anniversary of Vietnam's Revolutionary Press Day (June 21, 1925 - June 21, 2026), on the morning of May 29th, at Champa Island Nha Trang, Khanh Hoa Province's Newspaper and Radio and Television (PTTH) organized a seminar on the theme "Improving the quality of local press agencies after mergers". Attending the seminar were Comrade Vo Hoan Hai - Member of the Standing Committee of the Provincial Party Committee, Head of the Provincial Propaganda and Mass Mobilization Department; leaders of several departments and agencies; leaders of the Provincial Journalists Association; and representatives from 12 central and local press agencies.

Overview of the seminar.

They discussed many aspects of management and operation.
Following the provincial mergers, the press agencies of these provinces and cities faced many difficulties. The challenge was how to ensure that local press agencies could operate more effectively after the consolidation of administrative structures.

At the seminar, leaders of media agencies focused on discussing several key issues such as: governance; content production organization; digital transformation and the development of journalism in a modern media environment; financial autonomy and the development of the journalism economy ; improving operational quality, investing in technology, and enhancing the quality of journalistic products to serve the public. The aim was to enable local media agencies to develop solutions to improve operational quality, further affirm their role and position in information dissemination, public opinion shaping, and contributing to the development of the locality and the country.

Mr. Le Hoang Trieu - Deputy Director in charge of Newspapers, Radio and Television of Khanh Hoa, spoke at the seminar.

In his opening remarks, Mr. Le Hoang Trieu, Deputy Director in charge of Newspapers and Broadcasting in Khanh Hoa, stated that in recent times, the restructuring and streamlining of the political system's organizational apparatus has been implemented decisively and synchronously. Regarding the field of journalism, the restructuring and merger of local media agencies not only aims to streamline the organizational structure but also to improve operational efficiency, leverage resources, and gradually develop towards professionalism, modernity, and multimedia, meeting the requirements of the new situation. Alongside the initial results, the practical operation of the merged media agency model also poses many new demands on management, content production organization, digital transformation, and the development of journalism in a modern media environment. “Khanh Hoa Newspaper and Radio and Television Station hopes to receive the attention and guidance of the Provincial Party Committee's Propaganda and Mass Mobilization Department; to listen to and exchange experiences with central and local press agencies to jointly build a multi-platform press agency operating effectively in the strong development of social media platforms today. At the same time, we will discuss and propose solutions and strategic directions when implementing financial autonomy and applying the commissioning mechanism,” Mr. Le Hoang Trieu emphasized.

The delegates at the seminar.

The biggest challenge for media agencies after the merger is the disruption in personnel and operational mindset. Sharing his thoughts on this issue, Mr. Le Huy Toan, Director of Lam Dong Newspaper and Radio and Television, stated that after the merger, media agencies have a large number of officials and employees, and a large organizational structure. This requires the units to prioritize discipline and order, and to operate with the motto "unity, discipline, compassion, and responsibility."

Furthermore, the surplus of middle management personnel coupled with a shortage of technology personnel is also a significant problem. Mr. Hoang Dang Khoa, Director of Hue Newspaper and Radio & Television, pointed out three major difficulties regarding personnel, infrastructure, and finance. Regarding personnel, newsrooms have an excess of traditional journalists but a shortage of skilled journalists proficient in technology and digital transformation. Ms. Nguyen Thi Thanh Hai, Deputy Director of Son La Newspaper and Radio & Television, suggested that reporters from all media outlets should proactively learn from each other to achieve the goal: a single reporter should be able to perform all four journalistic skills – print, television, online, and radio – at a single event.

The delegates attending the seminar.

Furthermore, the coexistence of two financial mechanisms—state-funded newspapers and primarily self-funded television stations—has created significant inconsistencies. Mr. Pham Van Bau, Director of Thanh Hoa Newspaper and Television, shared that it is necessary to quickly resolve obstacles, adjust the royalty policy appropriately, and accelerate the roadmap for financial autonomy linked to a state-ordered mechanism to ensure stable operations for media organizations. Meanwhile, Ms. Hoang Hoai Phuong, Deputy Director of Ninh Binh Newspaper and Television, shared that as a locality formed from the merger of three former provinces, after consolidating six media organizations, Ninh Binh Newspaper and Television has a total of over 400 staff members. The unit took a year to rebuild its mechanisms, organizational structure, and overall royalty framework to create harmony among different media types.

Unleash the driving force for development.

Highly appreciating the efforts of the journalistic team, the Head of the Provincial Party Committee's Propaganda and Mass Mobilization Department, Vo Hoan Hai, affirmed that in recent times, local media has made many positive contributions to the propaganda and promotion of the image and the dissemination of aspirations and determination to build Khanh Hoa province into a centrally-governed city. Entering a new development phase in accordance with the spirit of the Party's 14th National Congress Resolution and Resolution No. 09 of the Politburo on building and developing Khanh Hoa province until 2030, with a vision to 2045, the role of local media is even more important. The press not only performs the function of providing information but also contributes to creating momentum for development, arousing aspirations for contribution, a spirit of innovation and creativity, and consensus among the Party committee, government, and people. The seminar is an important opportunity for media agencies to identify difficulties and obstacles, thereby enhancing their role as the main media force of the locality in the new situation.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Thanh Hai, Deputy Director of Son La Newspaper, Radio and Television, spoke at the seminar.

Concluding the seminar, Mr. Le Hoang Trieu assessed that the seminar had received many contributions from the delegates. Through this, the Organizing Committee recognized that, to improve the quality of operations, first and foremost, press agencies need to effectively address personnel issues; training reporters to meet the requirements of simultaneously handling four types of journalism. Along with that, solutions are needed regarding budget revenue through a commissioning mechanism, ensuring a balance between revenue and expenditure. In particular, to overcome immediate difficulties, it is necessary to promote internal solidarity. On behalf of the Organizing Committee, Mr. Le Hoang Trieu also expressed the hope that relevant agencies would propose appropriate solutions to the Central Government to help local press agencies overcome difficulties after mergers. Mr. Le Hoang Trieu suggested that press agencies consider organizing annual thematic seminars, creating opportunities for meetings, learning from experience, exchanging ideas, and discussing effective solutions to further improve the quality of journalistic activities in the new situation.

DINH LAM - VAN GIANG

Finding solutions to improve the quality of operations of local media outlets after mergers.

Source: https://baokhanhhoa.vn/xa-hoi/202605/nang-tam-bao-chi-sau-sap-nhap-50e3cb7/