The silent support
Around 2012 - 2013, many localities in the province had problems with poisoning and stealing dogs. There were many cases where dog thieves, when discovered, recklessly used weapons to injure people in order to escape. In frustration with this problem, in some localities, when people surrounded and caught the subjects, they immediately destroyed and burned their vehicles; and even beat the subjects to death.
In such a context, the Editorial Board of Nghe An Newspaper directed the implementation of a series of articles with the requirement not to simply reflect, but to delve into the current situation, clarify the causes, and propose solutions to contribute to solving the problem.
Journalist Viet Long (who is writing), a contributor, participated in many investigative stories of Nghe An Newspaper during a trip to the illegal gold mining area in Cam Muon commune, Que Phong district in 2013. Photo: Nhat Lan
Knowing that Nghi Loc District Police had just discovered and arrested a subject who had committed the act of poisoning and stealing dogs, we contacted him and were able to approach him for information. After a few days of being "detained" in a detention camp, the dog thief (a young man) realized his wrongdoings and repented, answering very sincerely and in detail what was asked. Through him, we had all the information we needed about the methods of carrying out the act of stealing dogs, especially the source of the dog poison supply and the places of consumption.
However, a difficulty arose. That was how to approach the source of dog poison, the places where dogs were poisoned, caught... to exploit information? After thinking hard, an elderly collaborator agreed to help. He was a former military officer, and had worked for a number of press agencies, so he was eager to satisfy his curiosity, and was brave enough to get involved in sensitive and complicated cases. Volunteering to play the role of a father with an only son who was unemployed, and to help his son open a dog meat restaurant to make a living, he "had to" hire a motorbike taxi to wander around looking for "delicious - nutritious - cheap" sources of goods.
Just like that, the old man and the motorbike taxi driver spent nearly a week “hanging around” the “black” spots in Nghi Loc, Hung Nguyen districts and Vinh city that the subject in the detention camp provided. And thanks to that, the 4-part series “Be careful with dirty dog meat” appeared in the publications of Nghe An Newspaper.
Before 2014, Tuong Duong district was a hot spot for gold thieves in the province, present in many communes such as Yen Thang, Yen Na, Yen Tinh, Yen Hoa, Huu Khuong, etc. When we were assigned to go to the gold thieves area, the Editorial Board of Nghe An Newspaper was very concerned about the safety of the reporters, requesting careful research so that the Editorial Board could provide timely support. At that time, because there had been a survey, our only request was to be allowed to carry out the secret mission without going through the "official" route, without having to work with relevant local agencies.
When we arrived in Tuong Duong district, the first thing we did was to find a “scout” who could lead us to illegal gold mining groups. Among the “scouts” introduced, a middle-aged man from Nam Dinh who had lived in Tuong Duong district for many years and had a career as a tree and rock hunter was chosen. The reason was because he had been to places where gold bandits had been; he knew by heart every stream and mountain in the communes of Yen Na, Yen Tinh, Yen Hoa, Huu Khuong…; and most importantly, he still kept his Northern accent, which was very suitable for playing the role of a Thai Nguyen gold miner looking for a gold mining location.
Authorities inspect an illegal gold mine in Cam Muon commune, Que Phong district in 2013. Photo: Nhat Lan
Then, thanks to his great cooperation, we went to almost all the “famous” places such as Pu Phen, Cha Ha, Ban San, Cha Lum… to meet the “gold thieves”. At the same time, with his “emotional” Northern accent, at these addresses he easily helped us ask in-depth questions about buying, selling, and transferring gold mines; how to organize gold mining; especially the “foreign relations” method to know and avoid raids by local authorities…
A series of articles about the hidden problems behind the gold smuggling problem in Tuong Duong district was thus formed, and was used by the Editorial Board of Nghe An Newspaper to publish. Then, at a major meeting on mineral resource management shortly after, the Provincial People's Committee rectified the State management work of the Natural Resources Department, and the authorities at all levels of Tuong Duong district...
Forever engraved with love
For any press agency, investigative journalism is an indispensable field. However, this is also a task that reporters… have to do reluctantly. Because journalists, who are not trained in investigative skills, operate without support tools. Meanwhile, the issues that need to be investigated and clarified are complicated and sensitive because whether they want it or not, they will affect the economic (and sometimes even political ) interests of the organizations and individuals involved.
Cover of articles clarifying violations in land acquisition and resettlement in the old Cua Lo town in Nghe An newspaper. Photo: Nhat Lan
For example, the series of articles “Journey to clarify the truth of the Hoang Thien Long cult” was published by Nghe An Newspaper in 2014. This series of articles was thoroughly investigated over a long period of time, reflecting the true nature, and was even later used by State agencies as propaganda material among the people. However, just a few days after the series of articles were published, key figures of the cult mobilized over 100 people from many localities to go to Nghe An Newspaper headquarters to put pressure, demanding the article to be withdrawn, information corrected, and the responsibility of the reporter handled.
Cover of the article "Loopholes" causing loss of mineral tax revenue" on Nghe An Newspaper. Photo: Nhat Lan
Or like the series of articles "Say no to small hydropower projects"; "Loopholes" in mineral tax revenue loss"; "Signs of violations in the planning of Road 21, Cua Lo Town"..., although reflecting the true situation, touching on the right issues so that the competent authorities would pay attention, consider, and direct the handling, however, during the implementation process, reporters and some responsible people of Nghe An Newspaper had some not-so-"pleasant" pressures.
But despite the pressure, what makes us happy and more confident is that in most of the investigative stories that have been carried out and published, there is support from leaders and colleagues in the Editorial Office; especially enthusiastic support from outside. Honestly, that support from outside has greatly contributed to the formation of investigative works of Nghe An Newspaper. This proves that Nghe An Newspaper has maintained the trust of readers, cadres, party members in the political system and the people.
Such support from outside may be silent and silent, never appearing in any newspaper articles. For us, this is extremely valuable, always remembering it to continue to "keep the passion of the profession", fulfilling the responsibility of journalists serving society...
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Source: https://baonghean.vn/nhung-nguoi-dong-hanh-trong-cac-tuyen-bai-dieu-tra-cua-bao-nghe-an-10299828.html
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