Journalist Nguyen Viet Khai with milestones of Quang Ninh journalism

On June 29, 2023, journalist Nguyen Viet Khai, former Editor-in-Chief of Quang Ninh Newspaper, former Director of Quang Ninh Radio and Television Station, former Chairman of Quang Ninh Provincial Journalists Association passed away at the age of 82. Knowing that illness had weakened his health for several years, when hearing the news of his death, relatives, friends and Quang Ninh journalists still could not help but grieve.

Portrait of the late journalist Nguyen Viet Khai.

Journalist Nguyen Viet Khai was born in 1942, in Dai De village, Dai An commune, Vu Ban district, Nam Dinh province. With more than 40 years of dedicated and devoted journalism, journalist Nguyen Viet Khai has been associated with Quang Ninh Newspaper for 38 years. Of which, he was Editor-in-Chief of Quang Ninh Newspaper from February 1988 to May 2000.

In the 40th anniversary of Quang Ninh Newspaper, journalist Nguyen Viet Khai recounted the story of building the editorial office in the late 80s of the last century. At that time, he was very happy because the editorial office was preparing to build a new one, and the investment capital of nearly 100 million VND was supported by agencies, units and people. Some units, agencies and localities supported with money, some supported with stones, cement, steel, means of transport... Even 4 party members in Ba Che who were very poor still sent money to support one person 5,000 VND, another 10,000 VND. So in less than 1 year, from August 1989 to June 1990, the Quang Ninh Newspaper headquarters was completed. On June 20, 1990, the 65th anniversary of Vietnam Revolutionary Press Day (June 21), was also the inauguration day of the editorial office in the joy of the staff and reporters of Quang Ninh Newspaper.

Perhaps the most profound memory in the life of journalist Nguyen Viet Khai, as he once shared, was meeting and giving Quang Ninh newspaper to General Vo Nguyen Giap. That was, in 1994, on the occasion of the 83rd anniversary of General Vo Nguyen Giap's birth, the Quang Ninh Provincial Party Committee invited the General and his family to stay at the Bai Chay Roundhouse villa (now this place is Novotel Hotel).

He recounted: “Knowing the General’s schedule, Mr. Vuong Quoc Thai, Deputy Head of the Provincial Party Committee’s Propaganda Department, discussed with me and asked for permission to go to the Round House to congratulate the General. I prepared a beautiful bouquet of roses and 3 copies of Quang Ninh newspaper to give to the General. At 7:00 p.m. on August 30, 1994, Mr. Thai, I and photojournalist Cong Chac crossed the ferry from Hon Gai to Bai Chay. As soon as we arrived at the Round House, the General’s secretary was already waiting and said: You guys go up immediately. The General is waiting. Tonight, the General also has a working program with writer Huu Mai. We were happy and excited. Due to work conditions, I had the honor to approach the General several times, but this was the first time I had the chance to meet him in person. Therefore, I was filled with joy. I told Mr. Cong Chac to carefully prepare the film and camera to take souvenir photos with the General.

When I arrived at the door, I saw the General in the living room. The General was wearing a light blue suit. Mr. Thai introduced me. I asked permission to give the General a bouquet of fresh flowers. The General accepted and asked us to sit down on the living room chairs. I gave the General 3 issues of Quang Ninh newspaper and asked permission to take a souvenir photo with him. Knowing that I was the Editor-in-Chief of the newspaper, the General kindly asked me about the organization of the editorial office, the staff, reporters, printing and distribution work and public opinion about the newspaper. I reported to the General about each issue in turn. The General turned each page and looked at each issue. The General praised the Saturday Quang Ninh newspaper for its beautiful, bright color printing. The General suggested that the newspaper should not use too small fonts, making it difficult for readers, especially the elderly. The General said: In 1936, when a strike broke out among more than 30,000 miners, the General went to the mining area to follow the strike and wrote an article for Le Travail newspaper. Mr. Thai and I only learned this detail at that time.

Journalist Nguyen Viet Khai chats with a young colleague about the 2018 edition of Quang Ninh Daily Newspaper. Photo: Hoang Anh

From 2000 to 2002, journalist Nguyen Viet Khai became the Director of Quang Ninh Radio and Television Station until his retirement. This was also the period with an important event: Quang Ninh Radio and Television Station separated its channel on May 19, 2001, the exact day of President Ho Chi Minh's birthday.

In the context of the whole country at that time, Quang Ninh was one of the few localities that had the first television program on September 2, 1983. Initially, the station only had one channel broadcasting every hour a day. Although there was a channel, the station's channel at that time was still under Vietnam Television. At that time, due to many different difficulties and limitations, the station had a narrow coverage area, poor content, and mainly rebroadcasted programs of Vietnam Television. In order to have a rich and attractive program, meeting the expectations of viewers, the station had to have its own channel, gradually increasing the broadcasting time during the day. This policy had been in place for a long time, but the station had not yet reached a consensus. Once, recalling this event, Journalist Nguyen Viet Khai wrote in a yearbook: “A rather difficult question arose for me when I left Quang Ninh Newspaper to come to the Station: could the separation be done? When? How? As a leader, I had to think, consider, and decide: It had to be done. I brought it up for discussion with the leadership and active colleagues to create unity and find ways to resolve each step.”

On May 19, 2001, Quang Ninh Radio and Television Station officially separated its channel. Journalist Nguyen Viet Khai directed and encouraged the functional departments to take on more work, develop more topics, discuss with the sectors, unions, district, town and city stations in the province to make local programs, security and defense programs, youth television, traffic safety, issues of interest to readers, etc. When all the stages were carefully prepared, at exactly 2:30 p.m. on May 19, 2001, the Station successfully separated its channel when broadcasting the documentary "Ho Chi Minh - Portrait of a Man". From then on, the Station's broadcasting time increased from 1 hour to 8 hours and then 12 hours per day; increased from 1 channel to 2 channels QTV1 and QTV3 broadcasting 24/24h.

Journalist Nguyen Viet Khai confided in an article: "I got involved in journalism early. In my 40 years of journalism, I have "rolled around" with all kinds of written, photo, and visual newspapers. Journalism is a difficult, arduous, dangerous job, but it is interesting once you are passionate about it. It gives me many different levels of cognitive experience, leaving me with many profound memories." He once confided that perhaps the greatest happiness for a journalist is to be lucky enough to live, work, and operate in the land of Quang Ninh, rich in resilient traditions, one of the cradles of the working class.

Talking to young reporters, journalist Nguyen Viet Khai always advised that today's young generation has more favorable conditions than his generation, such as: being trained systematically and comprehensively; having adequate equipment and facilities; mass media widely available, so they can grasp information quickly, etc. However, to create their own brand and create resonance for each journalistic work, young journalists need to constantly improve their expertise and professionalism.

Journalist Nguyen Viet Khai, Editor-in-Chief of Quang Ninh Newspaper (center ) during his birthday wishes to General Vo Nguyen Giap on the evening of August 30, 1994. Photo courtesy.

Journalist Nguyen Viet Khai is always concerned about his profession. He once shared: Currently, local press only follows the Party and State's policies and guidelines, but there are not many articles that are discovery-based and nailed in public opinion. The current generation of journalists needs to actively delve into reality, explore social issues to promptly report and reflect. Journalists must be confident, democratic, and equal in performing their duties. Articles should not be written like reports, but must have opinions and be filtered according to one's own thinking. At the same time, constantly innovate thinking in orientation and writing style; invest in attractive headlines to attract readers.

Source: https://baoquangninh.vn/nha-bao-nguyen-viet-khai-voi-nhung-dau-moc-cua-bao-chi-quang-ninh-3247549.html