The 'keepers of the local dialect'

Staff at Ba Tri District Radio Station are recording a radio program.

From the very first bricks

Ba Tri District's radio station, from a simple propaganda tool during the resistance war, has become a close companion of the people throughout the journey of building and developing their homeland. Along that path, the imprint of those who lit the "first wave" is an inseparable part of the district's media history. Mr. Nguyen Quang Tri, former Chairman of the Provincial Cultural Heritage Association, is a living witness and one of the pioneers who laid the foundation for the district's radio station.

Sharing his memories of his early career at the meeting commemorating the 100th anniversary of Vietnam's Revolutionary Press Day (June 21, 1925 - June 21, 2025) organized by the Ba Tri District Party Committee, Mr. Nguyen Quang Tri recounted: In his 60 years of service, he spent 30 years in the propaganda and education sector; of which, 9 years were spent directly working in Ba Tri district. In the late 1960s, when he was Deputy Head and then Head of the Press and Information Subcommittee of the District Propaganda and Education Department, he began his first tasks related to communication and propaganda, such as writing news bulletins, gathering information from the grassroots, and relaying it to the people. That was a period when radio, newspapers, and propaganda were intertwined, all for the purpose of informing and encouraging the people's spirit during the resistance war.

According to Mr. Nguyen Quang Tri's account, writing a news bulletin back then wasn't as simple as it is now. He and his colleagues had to go to the District Party Committee Office to ask permission from the District Party Secretary to read the report. Afterward, they selected and edited the information into an internal newsletter called "Ba Tri District News," published only once a month, sometimes lacking sufficient information to write. Yet, they persevered until the takeover. The newsletter, maintained from its first issue to issue 115, represents a silent and persistent journey across generations.

One memory that Mr. Nguyen Quang Tri cherishes most is June 29, 1972, when his first news article was broadcast on the district radio station about the victory at Xeo Doi, in An Duc commune (a place only about 2 kilometers from the tomb of Nguyen Dinh Chieu - PV). That news report was not only the first product of an amateur journalist, but also the culmination of his patriotism and journalistic spirit during wartime. From then on, he began to delve deeper into the writing profession.

Upon taking over Ba Tri district after liberation, Mr. Nguyen Quang Tri was the first person to assume the position of Head of the District Radio Station. According to the system, the Head of the Propaganda Department also held the position of head of the station. In the early days, the station only had a few rudimentary pieces of equipment, and electricity was scarce, but the radio broadcasters were full of dedication. They took turns reading news bulletins, broadcasting local news, and spreading revolutionary inspiration to even the most remote villages and hamlets.

In the emotional atmosphere of the reunion, Mr. Nguyen Quang Tri did not forget to mention his comrades, those who were with him during that early radio broadcast, such as Mr. Nguyen Van Lam, Minh Tran, Sau Ho, Nam Huong, Nam Dung..., who did not shy away from difficulties and hardships, venturing into remote areas and base camps to deliver news. From self-taught broadcasters like Mr. Tri, Ba Tri radio gradually professionalized, steadily strengthening its workforce and equipment. Subsequent generations continued that tradition, bringing the voice of Ba Tri closer to the people, from AM to FM waves.

A team full of passion and competence.

In the ever-changing flow of information and innovation, Ba Tri is fortunate to have many generations of dedicated and courageous journalists and broadcasters. We cannot fail to mention journalist Minh Tran (Le Minh Tri), who rose from a news writer in Ba Tri district to become the editor-in-chief of a provincial newspaper. Journalist Minh Tran expressed his gratitude to the pioneers of Vietnamese journalism in general and Ba Tri journalism in particular, such as Suong Nguyet Anh, Bao Luong Nguyen Trung Nguyet... shining examples during turbulent times, who used journalism to enlighten the people and inspire patriotism. Ba Tri, a land of culture, has produced many patriots and revolutionary journalists who have been, are, and will continue to be a cradle for producing journalists with heart, vision, and responsibility.

"In a place with such a rich historical and cultural tradition as Ba Tri, journalists need even more courage," journalist Minh Tran affirmed. Courage to speak the truth, to fight against wrongdoing, and to stand alongside the people. A journalist is not just a news reporter, but also a leader, a disseminator of kindness, and a fighter for what is right.

One of the most frequently mentioned individuals is Mr. Dang Van Bay, former Head of Ben Tre City Radio Station, who spent 21 years working at the district radio station, from news writer and reporter to station head. Mr. Bay started his career with nothing, but with his love for the profession and the dedicated guidance of predecessors like "Brother Tam Tri" and "Brother Tran Van Hoang," he gradually matured, contributing to building a more organized and professional radio station in Ba Tri district.

“Every news broadcast is the voice of the people, a link between the Party and the people. If I write incorrectly or convey the message inaccurately, it will not only affect the reputation of the industry but also the trust of the people,” Mr. Bay shared. It is this sense of responsibility that has helped him maintain his professional ethics and inspire the next generation of reporters.

Another passionate voice came from Vo Van Lem, former Head of the Culture and Information Department of Ba Tri District, who has spent many years writing news articles and contributing to grassroots propaganda work. For him, June 21st is not only a commemorative occasion but also a time for journalists to reflect on the journey so far – a journey where every news item and every photograph truthfully reflects life. He emphasized: "Journalism is the profession of words, but behind those words lies a great social responsibility. The pen and paper are the sharpest weapons of a journalist."

Now, with the integration of radio and television with digital technology , significant new challenges arise. However, Mr. Nguyen Quang Tri remains confident that today's radio broadcasters, if they know how to connect with the people, listen to their lives, and maintain the integrity of their profession, will still find a place in the hearts of the public. According to Mr. Tran Minh Hoang, former Deputy Head of the Ba Tri District Radio Station, the press is a close friend of everyone. Journalistic activities are a powerful tool to encourage the people to successfully implement all the policies and resolutions of the Party and State in the current period of national construction and defense.

Mr. Nguyen Quang Tri advised: "To work in journalism or radio broadcasting, you must learn foreign languages, read and write seriously, check your work 3-4 times after writing, and then have others read it to see if the article is easy to understand. Most importantly, you must always strive to be a role model and accurately reflect real people and real events."

(Former Chairman of the Provincial Cultural Heritage Association, Nguyen Quang Tri)

Text and photos: Phan Han

Source: https://baodongkhoi.vn/nhung-nguoi-giu-tieng-que-13062025-a148077.html