Thinking about the mission of journalism

Throughout the development of human civilization, journalism has always held a special place.

From the earliest written newspapers to today's modern digital media platforms, the history of journalism has always been intertwined with the history of human society. In any country, the higher the level of economic , cultural, and social development, the greater the need for information, the right to express opinions, and the exercise of freedom of speech for citizens. Therefore, journalism is not only a means of transmitting information but also an important social institution, reflecting the level of democracy, civilization, and development of each nation.

In Vietnam, for over a century, the revolutionary press, under the leadership of the Communist Party of Vietnam, has continuously grown and matured. Since the founding of the Thanh Nien (Youth) newspaper by leader Nguyen Ai Quoc in 1925, the revolutionary press has become a sharp weapon on the ideological and cultural front. In the struggles for national liberation, reunification, and defense of the Fatherland, and in the current process of reform, the press has always accompanied the nation, making important contributions to strengthening faith, arousing patriotism, and motivating all strata of the people to successfully carry out the country's revolutionary tasks.

Looking back, it can be affirmed that journalism has excellently fulfilled its historical mission in many stages of the nation's development. However, entering a new era, in the face of rapid changes in science and technology , especially the Fourth Industrial Revolution and the explosion of artificial intelligence, journalism is facing great opportunities but also unprecedented challenges.

Currently, the country is vigorously implementing a policy of reorganizing the organizational structure, streamlining the political system, and improving the efficiency and effectiveness of its operations. This organizational revolution cannot be separated from the field of journalism. Reorganizing the press system is an objective requirement to adapt to the new development conditions of the country. However, this is an extremely important and complex task. It is not simply a matter of reducing the number of media outlets or restructuring press agencies, but also involves many major problems that need to be studied scientifically and cautiously.

First and foremost is the human resources issue. In any reform, people are always the decisive factor. Reorganizing the press system means harmonizing the relationship between the quantity and quality of journalists. The problem is not only about the placement and utilization of existing human resources, but also about training and developing a team of journalists with strong political convictions, impeccable professional ethics, and modern operational capabilities.

You may also like

The Press and Parliament: A Constructive Flow in the New EraOn the morning of June 27th, at the National Assembly building, the forum "Journalism and Parliament: A Constructive Flow in the New Era" was held under the direction of the National Assembly's Committee on Culture and Society, the National Assembly Office, and the Vietnam Journalists Association.

What does the law stipulate regarding the functions, duties, and powers of the press?

There is no ambiguity between legitimate freedom and democracy and the exploitation of freedom and democracy to undermine the Party, the State, and the regime.Article 331 of the 2015 Penal Code (amended and supplemented in 2017 and 2025) is not a "stick" to suppress freedom of speech, as hostile forces falsely claim, but rather a necessary shield to protect the genuine exercise of democratic freedoms. Genuine democratic freedoms always go hand in hand with the responsibility and obligation to respect the law. Any distortion or exploitation of democratic freedoms to carry out dark political schemes is unworthy of enjoying those democratic freedoms legally and legitimately.

Secondly, there is the issue of the economics of journalism. In the context of the rapid development of digital media, traditional revenue streams for newspapers are shrinking significantly. Many media outlets are facing financial difficulties, directly impacting the quality of their content and the livelihoods of journalists. Therefore, along with organizational restructuring, it is necessary to build appropriate mechanisms to develop the economics of journalism in a sustainable manner, ensuring that media outlets have sufficient resources to effectively fulfill their political and social responsibilities.

Thirdly, there is the issue of infrastructure and institutions in journalism. This includes the system of journalism training institutions, research institutes, professional organizations, and associations related to journalism and media. These are crucial links in the national journalism ecosystem. The restructuring needs to be done synchronously, avoiding a situation where only media outlets are focused on while neglecting the institutions that support and develop the profession.

In the process of reforming and restructuring the press system, the most important thing is to unify ideology and understanding. All policies and guidelines must be people-centered, with quality and effectiveness as the highest goals. We should not chase after quantity or short-term goals while neglecting the core values ​​that constitute the essence of Vietnamese revolutionary journalism. Journalism in the new era needs to be built on a sustainable development model with three closely intertwined pillars: journalistic content, journalistic economics, and social activities. Content remains the core element determining the prestige and vitality of a media organization. Journalism must continue to effectively fulfill its functions of informing, guiding public opinion, constructive criticism, and spreading positive values. Journalistic economics is a condition for the survival and development of journalism in an increasingly competitive environment. A modern press cannot rely solely on budget allocations; it needs business models that comply with legal regulations and the specific characteristics of the profession. Social activism is a distinctive humanistic value of Vietnamese journalism. In practice, many media outlets have performed this role very well, including Saigon Giai Phong Newspaper, with its model combining journalistic activities, economic development of journalism, and social, charitable, and humanitarian programs, yielding practical results and creating a positive impact on the community.

The mission of journalism in the new era is therefore even more arduous but also very glorious. In the process of restructuring the national press system, we need to take cautious, scientific, and rigorous steps. For journalists and the vast majority of readers, it is necessary to remain calm, confident, and supportive of the reform initiative. During implementation, we need to foster a spirit of learning from experience while simultaneously learning and adapting, and courageously adjusting content that is not in line with practical requirements. Only in this way can Vietnamese journalism continue to uphold its glorious tradition, effectively fulfilling its function as the voice of the Party and the State, a reliable forum for the people, and an essential need in the spiritual life of society; while also effectively serving the cause of building and firmly defending the Vietnamese Fatherland in the new era of national development.

TRAN THE TUYEN

United States - Vietnam: Don't miss

Vietnam encourages US businesses to expand investment in high technology.On the morning of June 26th, at the Government Headquarters, Deputy Prime Minister Ho Quoc Dung received Mr. Jeff Place, Supply Chain Director of Coherent Group (USA). During the meeting, the Deputy Prime Minister affirmed that Vietnam encourages US businesses to expand investment, especially in high-tech, innovation, and semiconductor industries.

Encourage U.S. businesses to expand investment in high-tech sectors.Deputy Prime Minister Ho Quoc Dung said that Vietnam welcomes US businesses to continue expanding their operations in Vietnam, especially in high-tech industries and sectors with high added value.

Vietnam and the United States strengthen cooperation in addressing the consequences of war.VTV.vn - On June 22, General Secretary and President To Lam received Acting Secretary of the US Navy Hung Cao.

Former Deputy Director of the Press Department, Ministry of Information and Communications

Source: https://www.sggp.org.vn/nghi-ve-su-menh-cua-bao-chi-post858417.html