The press and media industry before the "storm" of transformation: Will its appeal decrease?

Students participate in admissions consulting for journalism and communications majors.

For many years, journalism and communications have always been among the hottest majors, attracting a large number of high school graduates nationwide. Not only because of the attractiveness of the profession with its creativity and profound social impact, but also because of the increasingly diverse career opportunities in the digital age. The large number of candidates registering and the high quality of input have caused the benchmark scores of majors in this field to continuously increase sharply.

The 2024 admission season is a clear example. The Journalism major, specializing in Television Journalism (Hanoi Academy of Journalism and Communication), using the D78 combination (including Literature, Social Sciences and English multiplied by a coefficient of 2), has a benchmark score of 37.21 points (average 9.31 points/subject) - one of the highest scores in the entire Social Sciences block in 2024.

Meanwhile, although it has only started enrolling students since 2023, the Multimedia Communications Department (Hong Duc University) has quickly affirmed its appeal. The number of students has nearly tripled, from 25 students in the first course (2023) to 65 students in the next course (2024). This is a positive signal, showing the strong interest of young people in the communications field in the context of digital transformation and the explosive demand for creative human resources.

This year, in the process of innovation, arrangement, and streamlining the apparatus of the political system, in which journalism is one of the leading fields, has been taking place according to the policy of comprehensive innovation. The number of press agencies has decreased due to mergers, model conversions or digitalization of operations. This change has more or less created a wavering mentality among a part of students who want to study journalism and communication.

Ngan Ha (18 years old, Truong Thi ward, Thanh Hoa city) shared her worries when she heard about the decrease in the number of press agencies due to mergers: "I really want to study journalism and communications, but I am also quite hesitant because if the number of press agencies decreases, the competition will increase a lot and my job opportunities after graduation will also be more difficult."

However, the explosion of information and digital technology has made journalism and media one of the important pillars in all social activities. People, organizations and businesses increasingly need professional, creative and effective press agencies and media channels to connect, share and spread values. No longer just the "voice of the times", journalism and media today are also a tool for competition, brand development and even a survival strategy for many businesses. Therefore, the need for human resources in the field of journalism and media is becoming increasingly urgent.

Speaking to Thanh Hoa Newspaper reporter, Associate Professor, Dr. Dinh Thi Thu Hang (Director of the Institute of Journalism and Communication, Academy of Journalism and Communication), said: “In the series of university admissions consulting programs for 2025 of the Academy of Journalism and Communication held last April, it still showed the great interest of parents and students in the field and majors of Journalism and Communication. Through that, we see that this is still a field that has great appeal to candidates this year. Although we are in the process of innovation, arrangement, and streamlining the apparatus, the development prospects and job opportunities for students majoring in journalism and communication after graduation are still very open due to the development of the current digital technology context”.

Minh Phuong (12th grade student, Ham Rong High School, Thanh Hoa City) shared that although he knows that the number of press agencies is decreasing, the journalism and communications industry is still very "hot". "According to my research, in addition to press agencies, businesses today have a strong need for communication to compete in the market. Therefore, if I study journalism and communications, in addition to being a reporter and editor, I can work in positions such as content creator, TikTok and YouTube channel manager, multi-platform content development...".

The strong shift from traditional media to digital media is opening up a wide range of careers for journalism and communication students. They can not only become reporters and editors, but also content creators, corporate communications specialists, YouTube/TikTok channel managers, brand consultants, and even founders of creative media startups.

According to Associate Professor, Dr. Dau Ba Thin, Vice Principal of Hong Duc University, Thanh Hoa province, the recent streamlining of press agencies is necessary in the innovation process, but does not reduce the appeal of the multimedia communications industry. In the context of digital transformation, the demand for creative human resources, mastering technology and digital communications is increasing rapidly. With a modern training program, experienced lecturers and well-invested facilities, the multimedia communications industry at Hong Duc University continues to be an attractive choice for young people who want to assert themselves in the dynamic and potential field of digital communications.

Thus, now is the era of “Comprehensive Digital Journalism and Communication” – combining language, images, technology and strategic thinking. That explains why, despite changes in the structure of the journalism system, this field of study still retains its appeal, even increasing its “hotness” thanks to its ability to adapt to the trends of the times.

The reduction in the number of press agencies does not mean the decline of the press and media industry. On the contrary, this is a period of strong transformation, bringing media from traditional space to digital space, from one-way to multi-dimensional. Therefore, for candidates who are passionate about writing, storytelling, content creation and love technology, the press and media industry is still an attractive choice. Young people just need to understand that, to be successful in this profession, you not only need a sharp pen, but also a quick mouse, the ability to learn continuously and the courage to adapt to all changes.

Article and photos: Phuong Do

Source: https://baothanhhoa.vn/nganh-bao-chi-truyen-thong-truoc-bao-chuyen-doi-nbsp-suc-hut-lieu-co-giam-249355.htm