Japanese journalist: Vietnam News Agency writes about strength from the truth

On the occasion of the 80th anniversary of the founding of Vietnam News Agency (September 15, 1945 - September 15, 2025), VNA reporters interviewed Mr. Nakamura Goro, a famous Japanese journalist with close ties to Vietnam.

A photojournalist since 1961, Mr. Nakamura has devoted most of his time to capturing images of the Vietnam War and especially the Agent Orange disaster caused by the US military in Vietnam.

Journalist Nakamura has many memories of VNA and is especially impressed by the courageous support of VNA reporters during his reporting trip to Lang Son in 1979.

Sharing some memorable memories of working with or following VNA's activities during his time as a journalist in Vietnam, journalist Nakamura said that in the 1960s and 1970s, VNA journalists worked in extremely dangerous conditions when the US continuously conducted bombing raids in the North.

However, despite these dangers, VNA reporters even went to the Liberation News Agency (GPA) in the South to spread true information about the fierce struggle and expose the crimes committed by the US army at that time. The articles by VNA journalists created a great resonance.

Reporters, telegraphers, and technicians of the Vietnam News Agency, class GP10, on board the ship to support the southern battlefield. (Source: VNA)

Journalist Nakamura recalled that, in the difficult context of wartime, VNA journalists still attached great importance to supporting international press and he was extremely impressed by the dedicated help of VNA reporters for foreign reporters who came to Vietnam to work for only a short time.

A typical example that journalist Nakamura could never forget was when his colleague Bui Thanh, a journalist for VNA, bravely protected him during a bombing raid by the US military.

Japanese journalists recalled that in the late 1960s, Japanese media agencies always sought news from Vietnam and prioritized receiving information from the Japan Press Agency (JPS), the VNA's telegram receiving unit in Tokyo.

At that time, Japan mainly received information from the US, so the question "Why can a small country like Vietnam fight the world's largest military power" was always a mystery.

But not only in wartime, in times of peace , innovation and construction, the role of the press is also very important in Vietnam. Mr. Nakamura said that many new development ideas have been put forward thanks to information from the system of VNA's permanent offices across the country. It is the honest reporting that is the source of strength to turn difficulties into hope.

According to the veteran Japanese journalist, VNA always maintains providing accurate and objective information, contributing to the country's progress and ensuring the proper role of a state news agency.

In recent years, VNA has been actively innovating and creating in its information work, especially in the use of digital media platforms. According to him, the use of digital media, including artificial intelligence (AI) technology, may lead to further innovations in VNA's information work. The question is how to effectively use and control these technologies.

Regarding international cooperation activities, journalist Nakamura said that VNA always maintains good relations with international partners, especially in promoting understanding and cooperation between Vietnam and other countries.

According to him, this "autonomy" has been maintained since the war until now and will be the most important key. According to him, if we look back at Vietnam's history of building and defending the country as well as the resistance wars against French colonialism and American imperialism..., peaceful diplomatic efforts are always more effective than armed confrontation.

In that process, the role of VNA in providing accurate information is extremely important.

VNTTX telegraph operator stopped in Trang Bang (Tay Ninh) to relay to the base the news of the surrender of the puppet President Duong Van Minh, April 30, 1975. (Photo: VNTTX)

Mr. Nakamura emphasized that providing accurate information is of great significance to the people and the country, and can even decide the fate of the entire nation.

As the world enters a new era, objective, fact-based reporting is not only important for Vietnam's own peace and security, but also a key factor for global peace and security.

At the end of the interview, journalist Nakamura expressed his belief that today's journalists need to learn the determination and courage of VNA reporters in the past during wartime, as well as always uphold the spirit of boldly acquiring advanced technology and skills to meet the requirements of the new era./.

(TTXVN/Vietnam+)

Source: https://www.vietnamplus.vn/nha-bao-nhat-ban-thong-tan-xa-viet-nam-viet-nen-suc-manh-tu-su-that-post1062403.vnp