Journalists spread information with moments

In journalism, images are the most powerful language, touching the hearts of the public in a way that words sometimes cannot. Behind the emotional photos is the silent commitment of photojournalists, who capture and spread information through moments every day.

Journalist Pham Nguyen (Tien Phong newspaper) still remembers clearly the time he entered a special class at the Pediatrics Department, Ho Chi Minh City Oncology Hospital in 2019. In just 20 minutes, he recorded the image of teacher Hong, a small woman who has been teaching children with cancer for more than 10 years.

“There are no drums or signs, but this place is filled with the will to live,” said journalist Pham Nguyen. The teacher had lost dozens of students, but still smiled and stood in class: “As long as there are students, there is a class.” His work later won the National Press Award.

Journalist Pham Nguyen, Tien Phong newspaper, during a work session.

The scene that moved him the most was when he saw tiny hands, covered with bandages, still trying to hold a pen. “Many children had just received an IV, their hands were shaking, but they still wrote each stroke carefully. Their innocent eyes shone with a faint but undying light.” In that space, life and death coexisted, but never defeated the spirit of the young warriors.

On the wall, the words “Never give up on your dreams” were hand-painted, decorated with hundreds of meticulously folded paper cranes – each one representing a fragile wish. “I raised my camera, my hands shaking. No one said anything, but I knew everyone was fighting in silence,” journalist Pham Nguyen emotionally recounted.

The photo that haunts me to this day is the moment when Ms. Hong gently adjusted the pen grip of a child who was gasping for breath. “A bow, a look, a heart”, he left the classroom, carrying with him the dreams that were being written with his young hands full of needle marks. “There are things that cannot be told in words, because emotions surpass words”, journalist Pham Nguyen shared more.

Journalist Manh Linh, Tin Tuc and Dan Toc newspaper, during a work trip in Bien Hoa, Dong Nai .

For journalist Le Manh Linh, Tin Tuc and Dan Toc newspaper (Vietnam News Agency), every time he picks up the camera, he pursues a moment that touches his heart: "After many years of working in the field of news and defense photography, I realized that spreading information is not just about recording events but about hunting and capturing 'golden moments'."

In particular, during the historic April reporting trip to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Liberation of the South and the reunification of the country, each photo he took was filled with sweat, emotion and national pride. “After a helicopter flight to take photos from above, I returned feeling dizzy and exhausted. But my passion has never waned,” journalist Manh Linh added.

Journalist Manh Linh said: "On April 30, instead of choosing an easy position on the stage like many colleagues, I went to the upper floor of the Rex Hotel - a place with a panoramic view to "hunt" for unique moments. The moment the Su-30MK2 soared through the sunny sky of Ho Chi Minh City and fired thermal bullets, I boldly chose a telephoto lens, instead of the usual wide angle. It was a risky decision, but it created a series of photos that were both informative and artistic."

Journalist Manh Linh works from above at the parade celebrating the 50th anniversary of the complete Liberation of the South and national reunification.

“There were days when I had to stay for hours on Le Duan Street, and there were nights when I had to sleep at the office so that I could work regardless of the time. For me, spreading information is not simply a job but a mission,” journalist Manh Linh proudly recounted.

Journalist Nguyen Luan, Vietnam Pictorial (VNA), finds his career meaning in long trips, harsh lands and emotional stories. For him, each business trip is an indelible mark, but the most profound is the trip to Truong Sa, where he accompanied a group of overseas Vietnamese to visit the graves of martyrs on the island.

Journalist Nguyen Luan said: “I was moved when witnessing the affection of overseas Vietnamese for the soldiers who sacrificed their lives. No one could hold back their tears, but I had to put aside my emotions to do my duty of recording. For me, the lens is the eyes of the community, a bridge to bring those sacred images to millions of Vietnamese people at home and abroad.”

Journalist Nguyen Luan works in the waters of Truong Sa archipelago.

Journalist Nguyen Luan won the National Press Award with his photo series “The Other Central Highlands”, which talks about thirst in the middle of the jungle. But the work that made him most troubled was a photo reportage about the drought and salinity in the Mekong Delta in 2016. When he witnessed people struggling to cope with natural disasters, from rice fields drying up to clean water becoming a luxury, he could not help but feel heartbroken.

Journalist Nguyen Luan recalled: "At that time, I took a photo of a female farmer holding a rice plant that was contaminated with salt and dried up. Her eyes seemed helpless before the cruel nature. Thanks to those photos, many international organizations came to support the people of the West. I realized that my job was not only to record reality but also to contribute to creating positive changes for the community."

According to journalist Nguyen Luan, the key factor in creating a quality photojournalism work is not technique but genuine emotion. Technique can be practiced, but emotion must come from empathy and emotion with life.

Journalist Nguyen Luan with Navy soldiers during a photo shoot in Truong Sa archipelago.

Journalist Nguyen Luan believes that photojournalists must always ask themselves: Why am I taking this moment? What message does this image convey? How will the reader feel? This self-questioning will help the work be authentic and easily reach the viewer.

“An ordinary person must also understand what the photo wants to say. We do not stand outside the event but must live in it, immerse ourselves in it to tell the story through light, composition and moments. However, taking a photo may only be a moment, but to feel the full depth of the photo takes a lifetime. Passion and dedication, those are the two most important factors to become a true photojournalist,” affirmed journalist Nguyen Luan.

Each journalist has a story, a different way of feeling and expressing, but they all have one thing in common: they do not just take pictures but touch life, collective memory and portray the era with a wordless language. Thanks to those moments, information is spread not only by words but also by the heart.

Article and photos: An Hieu/News and People newspaper

Source: https://baotintuc.vn/nguoi-tot-viec-tot/nhung-nha-bao-lan-toa-thong-tin-bang-khoanh-khac-20250613160355014.htm