Journalist Ly Van Sau's lessons on journalism remain just as valuable.

(CLO) Journalist Ly Van Sau not only contributed to the founding of one of the first local Party newspapers, Thang Newspaper, and the establishment of the Voice of Southern Vietnam Radio and the Voice of Vietnam Radio , but he also continues to pass on his journalistic methods, which are rich in practical value.

The place where journalist Ly Van Sau began his career.

Throughout his journalistic career, journalist Ly Van Sau made numerous contributions to the fields of information, propaganda, foreign affairs, and the development of the Vietnam News Agency's broadcasting and television industry, leaving many important marks on the political and diplomatic front. His journalistic activities effectively served the cause of national liberation, reunification, and the revolutionary journalism of Vietnam.

Journalist Ly Van Sau (fourth from the left) poses for a commemorative photo with leaders of Khanh Hoa Newspaper during a visit to the editorial office. (Archival photo)

In mid-April 1946, the Khanh Hoa Provincial Party Committee held an expanded conference in Dai Dien Dong village (Dien Dien commune, Dien Khanh district) and passed a resolution on publishing the provincial Party Committee's newspaper, named "Thang Newspaper" (Victory Newspaper). The name of the newspaper reflected the determination to defeat all invading enemies and the revolutionary spirit of the army and people of Khanh Hoa at that time.

After a year of preparation, on April 26, 1947, the newspaper Thang published its first issue in the Hon Du war zone (Khanh Vinh district). Initially, the Thang newspaper team consisted of only five people: Mr. Nguyen Minh Vy - former Chairman of the Khanh Hoa Provincial Resistance Administrative Committee, and Editor-in-Chief of Thang newspaper; and Mr. Ly Van Sau - responsible for content and considered the chief editor of Thang newspaper.

As the content editor for Thang Newspaper, Mr. Ly Van Sau took his first steps on the path to becoming a prominent journalist in the country. In the early days of Thang Newspaper, journalist Ly Van Sau gathered information from Vietnamese, English, and French radio stations, as well as reports from local authorities, to write articles and news reports. At the same time, he also directly edited news and articles from other journalists.

Immediately after its launch, the Thang Newspaper received the love, acceptance, and support of people from all walks of life throughout the province. The encouragement, both spiritual and material, from people in urban and rural areas motivated the staff of Thang Newspaper to produce issue after issue.

From its early days, Bao Thang newspaper immersed itself in the historical flow of the resistance struggle for national independence led by the Provincial Party Committee. The newspaper carried the voice of the Party, the Provincial Party Committee's directives on the resistance, and articles that encouraged patriotism, love for the homeland, and hatred of the enemy... all for the victory of the resistance.

Journalist Cung Phu Quoc, Deputy Editor-in-Chief of Khanh Hoa Newspaper, affirmed: "Through the stories of journalist Ly Van Sau and his contemporaries about the early days of working at Thang Newspaper, generations of Khanh Hoa Newspaper staff have always remembered and continued the tradition of overcoming difficulties, loving the profession, and wishing to develop the newspaper to serve the cause of national construction and renewal."

Journalist Cung Phu Quoc - Deputy Editor-in-Chief of Khanh Hoa Newspaper, delivered a presentation at the thematic seminar "Journalist and Diplomat Ly Van Sau: A Heart of Unwavering Loyalty". Photo: Son Hai

For over 77 years, journalists in Khanh Hoa have remained proud of their newspaper's revolutionary tradition, a tradition forged in the thoughts and actions of each reporter and staff member today, shaped by the glorious history of the Thang newspaper during the resistance against French colonialism.

Despite enduring countless difficult and fierce periods, the enemy was unable to silence the voice of the Party Committee and the people of Khanh Hoa. Today, Khanh Hoa Newspaper has become one of the very few early Party newspapers of the revolutionary press.

Establishing professional standards for journalism

In 1949, Military Region V assigned journalist Ly Van Sau to directly edit and assist Director Nguyen Van Nguyen in running the Voice of the South Radio Station (codename: Ban Tay Son). The Voice of the South Radio Station broadcast in Vietnamese, and later added French and English. The station's programs included current events, mainly news about the war, domestic and international situations, conveying government directives, and commentary to help people understand the schemes and tactics of the French colonialists, calling for patriotism and unity against foreign invaders.

Building on his success in propaganda work, from 1968 to 1973, he was chosen as the spokesperson for the Front and then the Provisional Government of the Republic of South Vietnam at the Paris Conference. In September 1973, he became the Director of the Propaganda and Culture Department of the Southern Committee (Unification Committee).

Delegates view documents and images about journalist and diplomat Ly Van Sau. Photo: Son Hai.

In May 1975, journalist Ly Van Sau was appointed First Deputy Director of Ho Chi Minh City Television Station. From July 1977 to 1986, he served as Deputy Chairman of the Vietnam Broadcasting and Television Committee and concurrently as Editor-in-Chief of the Central Television Station from 1977 to 1980; and Editor-in-Chief of the Voice of Vietnam Radio from 1980 to 1985.

Journalist Tran Duc Nuoi, ​​former Head of the Editorial Secretariat of the Voice of Vietnam Radio, said: "Throughout his time working at the Voice of Vietnam Radio, journalist Ly Van Sau frequently met with young journalists. He gave interesting talks about journalism, emphasizing the importance of foresight. He said that the happiest journalists are those who live and work during historical events and moments, immersing themselves in them and reflecting truthfully, because that is what gives the work its soul."

“Journalist Ly Van Sau always shared with young journalists that when writing an article or a news item, journalists must discover new details. Even if those details are small, they need to be noticed; otherwise, they will just be ordinary. Broadcasting requires eloquence; conversations, sharing, and exchanges need to be concise and clear so that listeners can easily understand and remember,” Mr. Tran Duc Nuoi recalled.

Throughout different periods, journalist Ly Van Sau knew how to apply journalistic methods inherited from his ancestors, while also effectively utilizing modern journalistic techniques to enhance the effectiveness of propaganda and bring the voice of Vietnam to the world.

Journalist Tran Duc Nuoi shared: "I vividly remember what journalist Ly Van Sau said , 'To be a journalist, you must know how to accumulate information, preserve the documents you collect, and know how to utilize them.' Throughout my journey, I've noticed that journalist Ly Van Sau accumulated a great deal of knowledge, read and wrote extensively, and possessed an extraordinary memory. I learned foreign language learning from him, and from that, I realized that journalists need to know at least one foreign language. Knowing a foreign language opens up new horizons and allows one to absorb more information."

Delegates pose for a commemorative photo with relatives of journalist and diplomat Ly Van Sau. Photo: N. Tam

It can be said that throughout his life, Ly Van Sau lived the life of a journalist-soldier and a revolutionary diplomat. Every step and every stage of his career was closely intertwined with the development of journalism and the history of the nation. With his positive and effective contributions, journalist Ly Van Sau truly became one of the exemplary journalists of Vietnam's revolutionary press.

Source: https://www.congluan.vn/nha-bao-ly-van-sau-voi-nhung-bai-hoc-ve-nghe-con-nguyen-gia-tri-post319754.html