16 years as "conductor" of Quang Ninh Newspaper

Portrait of the late journalist Huy Tro.

From the position of Deputy Head of the Provincial Party Committee's Propaganda Department, in 1972, Mr. Nguyen Huy Tro was transferred to become Editor-in-Chief of Quang Ninh Newspaper. He held the position for 16 years until 1988 when he received the decision to retire.

During his decades as the newspaper's leader, Mr. Tro realized that the vast majority of journalists were intellectuals with a lot of creativity, working day and night, eager to learn, and having a high sense of labor discipline. During the resistance war against the US, especially when the planes escalated to attack the North, traveling was very difficult and dangerous, but whenever the mission was needed, journalists immediately went to write. It was that spirit, combined with the efforts of the staff and workers of the Quang Ninh printing house, that throughout the period of resistance against the US, even at the most fierce times, the Quang Ninh newspaper was still published regularly, on time, in the right period. Moreover, the Quang Ninh newspaper also carried out long-term monthly propaganda to spread many advanced models in combat and production in the construction of the Mining Region.

For a long period, the zinc photo department not only worked for Quang Ninh newspaper but also helped make zinc photos for the Navy newspaper and newspapers of some neighboring provinces. At the same time, they also trained and taught some other newspapers about zinc photography, exposure, and etching. Many of the newspaper's staff reporters at that time were very active, sawing, planing, cutting, drilling, and nailing like carpenters.

During the years when the country entered a period of peace and construction, reporters of Quang Ninh Newspaper under the command of "conductor" Nguyen Huy Tro worked hard at the grassroots level, maintaining the status of writers who were respected by the leaders and workers at the grassroots level. The team of journalists clearly understood that they represented the mouthpiece of the local Party Committee and government, always cultivating the self-respect and pride of Party journalists to effectively fight against negativity. It was a team of journalists full of vitality and high fighting spirit that created the foundation for the newspaper to develop sustainably.

During this period, the movement of learning professional skills was vibrant for many years with the slogan "All are teachers, all are students". Reporters and editors who were good at a certain subject or field, had more experience or had studied more prepared content to convey to others. Thanks to working and studying at the same time, the team of journalists was always consolidated and developed, gradually meeting the requirements of the task, gradually improving the quality of the newspaper. To enhance the cultural level of the newspaper, after 1975, the newspaper piloted dedicating 1 page and then 2 pages in the weekend issue to cultural, literary and artistic issues. After 2 years of piloting and being welcomed by readers, in March 1984, Quang Ninh Newspaper added a special weekend issue on Saturday quite early along with a number of newspapers nationwide.

Journalist Nguyen Huy Tro left behind an example of dedicated work in literature until the last minute of his life.

The arduous life of journalism has helped Mr. Huy Tro realize that although it is hard, the most exciting and joyful thing is to be trusted by the people and supported by colleagues. What makes Mr. Tro happiest is to live in the noble feelings of writers, he is altruistic, noble, and selfless. In the journalism community, everyone considers each other as colleagues, comrades, friends, and close brothers. Those comradely and colleague feelings have and will always live forever in the hearts of generations of Quang Ninh journalists.

Journalist Ho Phong - Requesting reinforcements to build a radio system

After taking over the Mine for a while, Mr. Ho Phong was appointed as Head of the Press and Information Department of the Propaganda Department, in charge of the Hong Quang newspaper. In early September 1956, he was assigned by the Propaganda Department of Hong Quang Zone to be in charge of the Hon Gai Radio Station (the predecessor of Quang Ninh Radio and Television Station).

Not only Mr. Ho Phong but all the reporters and staff of the Station were bewildered when approaching radio. At that time, thanks to the help of the Soviet Union (former), the system of wires, loudspeakers and new machinery and equipment was installed for the first time in Hon Gai Town. Hong Quang area was given priority by the Central Government to install 2 broadcasting systems in Hon Gai and Cam Pha. At the beginning of its establishment, Hon Gai Radio Station had 11 people with Mr. Ho Phong as the Station Chief. At that time, the Station had not yet formed a board or department like it does now, everyone had to take on all the stages, from line workers to program editors, announcers...

The station's headquarters is located at Ben Doan. Every day, the station has a 15-minute news bulletin broadcast at the first news slot of the Voice of Vietnam . The content of the bulletin propagates the Party and State's policies and guidelines, directives and resolutions of the Party Committee and the Hong Quang District Government, and specific policy issues after the takeover. In addition, the station also relays from the Voice of Vietnam, Beijing Radio, and Moscow Radio. During their work, the station's reporters and staff encountered many difficulties due to subjective conditions and technical qualifications. At that time, no one had received formal training in journalism. When the machine had a technical problem, journalist Ho Phong had to call the Central Government to ask for "reinforcement".

During the process of transferring the program from Hon Gai to Cam Pha, because there was no separate line, Mr. Ho Phong had to use the Coal Company's telephone line. The signal was sent from Hon Gai Station to Cam Pha and then amplified to the loudspeaker in the Cam Pha area. However, that measure was only temporary and could not overcome the crosstalk to the post office line and at the same time, it also interrupted the production direction of the Coal industry.

Journalist Ho Phong received the Party badge. — Journalist Ho Phong (right) in a meeting with colleagues.

In general, all the staff of the Station work with a spirit of openness, eager to learn from colleagues, and gain experience from their work and from the programs of the Voice of Vietnam. Therefore, the programs that Mr. Ho Phong directed his colleagues to implement all received enthusiastic support from the people of the Mining Area and the leaders of the Regional Party Committee.

Faced with a lack of technical equipment, the Station researched, manufactured and produced metal speakers (electromagnetic speakers) with sound quality no worse than dynamic speakers, but were convenient and low cost, so they were accepted by the people.

Immediately after the launch of the loudspeaker, the Hon Gai area installed more than 5,000 units, reaching 60% of households with radio listening devices. Later, the station also took advantage of the expired railway tracks of the Coal Industry to hang loudspeakers to replace the wooden poles that had rotted due to the sun and rain. Both of these initiatives were highly appreciated by the Broadcasting Department.

In 1959, due to the increasingly high requirements of propaganda work and the need for a wider dissemination of information, the Hon Gai and Cam Pha Radio Stations were separated from the Department of Culture to establish the Hong Quang Radio Station. The number of staff, reporters and employees at this time increased, with up to 20 editors. Therefore, the programs were more diverse. In addition to 3 daily news bulletins of 30 minutes, the Station had additional regular topics and columns such as: Youth, Women, Young Pioneers and Literature and Arts... Local radio programs contributed to promoting the emulation movement of labor production and building a new life.

In October 1963, Hong Quang Radio Station also changed its name to Quang Ninh Radio Station. In 1976, Quang Ninh Radio Station was renamed Quang Ninh Radio Station. On September 2, 1983, the first Quang Ninh television program was broadcast on channel 12VHF. From here, Quang Ninh Radio Station also had a new name, Quang Ninh Radio - Television Station. From 2019, returning to the common roof of Quang Ninh Provincial Media Center. On the journey of development, the radio waves have continuously flown high and far, becoming two of the four pillars of the current Provincial Media Center. It is impossible to forget the people in the difficult early days like journalist Ho Phong. Journalist Ho Phong passed away a long time ago, but his example of dedicated work for his profession is still remembered by many future generations of journalists in Quang Ninh journalism.

Journalist Pham Xuan Pho - The man who seeks solutions for television work

During his journalism career, journalist Pham Xuan Pho, former Director of Quang Ninh Radio and Television Station (1976-1988), now Quang Ninh Provincial Media Center, twice sought solutions for television production.

The first time in 1980, comrade Nguyen Ngoc Dam, Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee, directed: The Navy Command wanted to help Quang Ninh assemble television sets and asked the brothers at the station to research and collaborate to make television. A difficult problem was posed to journalist Pham Xuan Pho as well as the station's leaders at that time.

Journalist Pham Xuan Pho attended a meeting with the agency regarding issues of coordination and technical equipment. Finally, all key staff of the station agreed to do television. The station selected 5 technical staff to undertake this task under the command of engineer Truong Quang Vinh.

After 8 months of studying, working and searching for spare parts, the transceiver built by the two sides was finally completed and brought to Hong Gai town for testing. One day at the end of October 1981, the machine was brought to the upper floor of the Department of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs for testing. After 2 evenings of work, adjusting and re-adjusting the quality of the transmission and reception still did not meet the requirements. Journalist Pham Xuan Pho consulted with technical colleagues and naval comrades to stop work and report to the provincial leaders about the unsuccessful testing. Director Pham Xuan Pho and technical staff had to say goodbye to the naval comrades after a long time of supporting the province.

Journalist Pham Xuan Pho speaks at a conference of Quang Ninh Radio and Television Station.

Two years later, in early March 1983, Comrade Pham Hoanh, Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee, directed that the province decide to build television to serve the purpose of improving the lives of soldiers and people in the province. The technical problem this time was less difficult, the solution was also less complicated when the province decided to buy a French transmitter. The Provincial People's Committee asked the Institute for Radio and Television Technical Research under the Vietnam Radio and Television Commission (headquartered in Ho Chi Minh City) to help buy and install it in a container. The Provincial Radio Station had to carefully prepare the construction of infrastructure, antenna towers, power lines, and roads up the hill. The requirement was that all stages must be completed before September 2, 1983.

Journalist Pham Xuan Pho and colleagues in a meeting.

This took place during the rainy season, and time was limited, so Director Pham Xuan Pho quickly deployed technical staff and workers to quickly get to work. He also proposed that the Provincial People's Committee assign tasks to the construction, electricity, and transportation sectors to support the station. All sectors actively supported to ensure the progress of the antenna tower, power line, road construction, office building, security arrangement, etc.

The transmitters transported by sea from Ho Chi Minh City were also gathered at Ben Doan (Hong Gai ward). One afternoon at the end of August 1983, the people of Hong Gai town excitedly poured into the streets to witness the troops driving special vehicles of the air defense and air force unit stationed in Ha Lam come out to support pulling the container containing the transmitter up the 150m high hill at Column 5. Everything went well, ensuring absolute safety.

On September 2, 1983, the province celebrated the 38th anniversary of the August Revolution and National Day on September 2. That afternoon, Director Pham Xuan Pho, on behalf of the station's leadership, reported to the province, inviting leaders and people to go to Column 5 Hill to attend the inauguration ceremony and broadcast the first videotape reporting the National Day celebration rally on channel 12. At that time, Quang Ninh was also the first province in the North to have a television station. This event was also broadcast on the end-of-day news bulletin of Vietnam Television that night. The birth of Quang Ninh Television demonstrated the province's concern and the support of many related departments and branches, and the tireless efforts of reporters, including journalist Pham Xuan Pho, who solved very difficult problems in terms of technical equipment.

Mr. Nguyen Tuan Phuong, former Deputy Director of Quang Ninh Radio and Television Station, recalled: During the time working under his leadership, I deeply admired and respected him. Despite his old age, he never stopped following and supervising any broadcast... I believe that now, from a far away place, the former Director still follows the career of Quang Ninh Radio and Television which is changing every day, developing steadily and steadily, and is increasingly trusted by audiences in the province as well as the whole country and our overseas Vietnamese.

Huynh Dang

Source: https://baoquangninh.vn/nhung-thu-linh-dau-tien-3360225.html