Journalists in Thanh Hoa province adapt to digital transformation.

Digital transformation in journalism requires each media organization to build a team of journalists who are highly skilled in their profession, capable of delivering high-quality content to society, and proficient in using technology. Faced with these stringent demands, journalists in Thanh Hoa province have gradually reformed their thinking and actions, becoming more dynamic and creative in carrying out their duties and adapting to digital transformation.

Technicians and collaborators of Thanh Hoa Newspaper set up the 6 PM news bulletin in the studio. Photo: HL

Every day, the Thanh Hoa Newspaper studio is bustling with the urgent and enthusiastic work of technicians, editors, and MCs, aiming to bring viewers and listeners updated, comprehensive, objective news, multi-faceted perspectives, in-depth commentary on new and hot issues in social life, engaging online dialogue programs, useful and practical information from guests, and captivating podcasts (essays, short stories, and 6 AM news highlights) that touch the emotions of readers... The studio is currently the production site for most of the hottest digital content of Thanh Hoa Newspaper.

The Thanh Hoa Newspaper Studio brings together many young faces, from the 70s generation to Gen Z. They are well-trained, youthful, dynamic, and sensitive to trends, movements, and technological innovations. However, to meet the increasingly demanding requirements of the job and the strong and continuous transformation of science and technology in the current context, each journalist must always be conscious of cultivating and honing their skills, constantly striving to learn and improve themselves.

Having been involved in the studio's tasks since its early days, Mr. Le Quang Trung, a technician in the Editorial Secretariat Department (Thanh Hoa Newspaper), understands better than anyone that digital transformation in a media organization is not simply about equipment and technology... but more importantly, it's about mindset and human resources. Therefore, throughout his career, Mr. Trung has always strived to learn and improve his knowledge and experience to perfect himself. Mr. Trung said: "Previously, when Thanh Hoa Newspaper was operating under a traditional model, my main job was to handle technical matters and information technology issues... When I was assigned to participate in the studio's tasks, there were many new things, and I inevitably felt some initial confusion. This motivated me to truly strive, work hard, and constantly learn to meet the job requirements and live up to the trust of the leadership."

It is known that currently, in addition to his technical duties and news production, Mr. Trung participates in building, operating, and developing Thanh Hoa Newspaper's digital platforms such as YouTube, Facebook Fanpage, and TikTok. Mr. Trung shared: “Technology never stands still waiting for us; it changes and develops rapidly. Therefore, first and foremost, to adapt to this, each person must make their own efforts, have a passion for it, then diligently explore, learn, and practice. Besides training courses, the fastest way to improve oneself is to learn from colleagues. Don't hesitate to ask, even if it's to learn from your juniors. Because young people today are well-trained, have a digital mindset, and quickly adapt to trends and technologies...”

In the context of strong digital transformation at Thanh Hoa Newspaper, not only the technicians and editors in the studio but also every staff member and reporter demonstrates a spirit of learning, striving to adapt and change themselves towards multi-functional, multimedia approaches. Each reporter not only works using traditional methods but also directly films events and scenes, then transfers the files to the team to edit the 6 PM news broadcast, or directly films, edits, narrates, and presents on location... to produce independent video publications. This not only contributes to diversifying digital products, bringing information closer, faster, and more diversely to readers, but also provides opportunities for reporters to test their skills, hone their abilities, and increase their income.

Regular inspection of the LAN network system at Thanh Hoa Radio and Television Station. Photo: HL

The Electronic Information Editorial Department of Thanh Hoa Radio and Television Station (PT&TH) has 30 staff members, with the electronic information team responsible for managing and developing the station's digital platforms such as: Website, Thanh Hoa Television app on the App Store, YouTube, Fanpage, TikTok, Zalo... In addition, the station's radio and television channel is available on many major OTT applications such as VieON, FPT Play, VTVcap, VTVGo, VTC... Among these, YouTube and Fanpage are the "mainstays," attracting a large number of viewers and followers. By mid-June 2023, the Thanh Hoa Radio and Television Station's YouTube channel had reached 350,000 subscribers; the TTV - Thanh Hoa Radio and Television Station Fanpage had 221,000 followers. The TikTok channel, launched in 2022, already has approximately 300,000 followers, primarily targeting young people. The station's YouTube channel, managed and operated by the department, has received the silver button (an achievement for official channels with 100,000 or more subscribers); the TTV - Thanh Hoa Radio and Television Station Fanpage has received the blue tick...

The figures are vivid evidence of the results of the efforts and endeavors of Thanh Hoa Radio and Television Station. Over the years, in the context of strong digital transformation, every officer, reporter, technician, and employee of Thanh Hoa Radio and Television Station has continuously innovated in both thinking and action. Editor Pham Van Hung, from the Information and Electronics Department, said: “With the motto 'Digital transformation or die,' over the years, the unit's leadership has paid special attention to and created favorable conditions for our work, from upgrading and modernizing equipment, training and development to flexible, encouraging, and motivating mechanisms and policies. Nothing is more practical and sustainable than promoting self-learning stemming from the actual needs of the work and personal development.”

Not only the journalists at the province's "main" media outlets such as Thanh Hoa Newspaper and Thanh Hoa Radio and Television Station, but also resident reporters from central media agencies have quickly adapted to digital transformation, especially at large media organizations. Due to the small number of staff in representative offices, each reporter must cover a wide area, and the requirements for updating new, hot, and exclusive information, as well as targets for likes and shares, necessitate resident reporters to quickly adapt and actively participate in digital transformation if they do not want to be eliminated. This is especially true at large newspapers with a strong digital transformation pace, where the demands on each reporter are even higher. Recognizing this, in recent years, the resident reporter force in Thanh Hoa province has continuously strived, invested, and innovated its working methods, diversifying the forms of news reporting and articles.

Hoang Linh

Source: https://baothanhhoa.vn/thoi-su/nguoi-lam-bao-xu-thanh-thich-ung-voi-chuyen-doi-so/188796.htm