The joy of journalism

Reporter Kim Loan is at work. (Photo courtesy of the agency)

My "fate" led me to journalism.

Having loved reading and newspapers since childhood, and possessing a knack for writing, I enjoyed creating wall newspapers from high school to university. My classmates and I would select suitable topics for events such as the Ho Chi Minh Children's Congress, the founding day of the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union, Vietnamese Teachers' Day, and the school's founding anniversary. Although these were stories about school, teachers, friends, and youthful dreams, when presented with drawings and writing on white paper and neatly framed into a wall newspaper, the content became a shared story of the class and the school, something to learn from and share. Naturally, our class's wall newspaper always ranked highly, and individuals with good entries were praised. This was my first joy as I took my first steps in writing and became the motivation to nurture my passion later on.

While working in the military, even though it wasn't a newspaper, my daily tasks helped me maintain my writing skills. Initially, I only wrote short news articles about conferences, recruitment, live firing exercises, etc., sending them to the editorial offices of the Military Region 9 Newspaper and the Dong Khoi Newspaper. Sending these articles filled me with anticipation and excitement, because in the late 1980s and early 1990s, communication was very difficult. To send articles, you had to send letters through the post office or fax machines. At that time, only the unit's landline telephones existed, so there was little contact between the editorial offices and contributors. When an issue was published, the military postman would bring a complimentary copy. I was overjoyed, like receiving a precious gift. Opening the newspaper and quickly reading the news, seeing my name filled me with indescribable happiness; sometimes I felt happy all day and it was like being given a boost of energy. Later, I attended a collaborator training course organized by the Dong Khoi Newspaper Editorial Board, and the Military Region 9 Newspaper Editorial Board invited me to train correspondents. I started writing news articles more regularly. My joy multiplied after my articles were published. At the end of the year, during the collaborators' and correspondents' meeting to summarize the year's propaganda work, I was invited to receive an award for outstanding correspondent from the Military Region. I was so happy I almost cried; I couldn't sleep all night. This was a huge encouragement and an unforgettable memory, the first time I received an award in the field of journalism. Those were also my first memories and the "destiny" that led me to the journalism profession.

Joy comes with responsibility.

After completing my journalism training, I truly embarked on my "career" in journalism. Receiving a solid education was a joy, opening up a new path for me by equipping me with professional knowledge and skills, and a firm grasp of regulations, principles, and professional ethics. Working in journalism has given me more confidence in my writing. Even more so in managing the press, I've always recognized that joy and responsibility are inseparable; the greater the responsibility, the more the joy doubles. This includes responsibility to the nation, to the industry, and personal responsibility as a writer to society, the community, readers, and the audience.

Therefore, while being a contributor, correspondent, or reporter is simply a professional task, contributing to informing and shaping public opinion and guiding people towards the values of truth, goodness, and beauty through published and broadcast articles and programs, joining the editorial board and assuming a managerial or leadership role demands even greater responsibility, especially given the newspaper's political function and mission, and the ideological themes of each issue and broadcast program. I often liken managing a news agency to a football goalkeeper, keeping the goal safe and preventing goals from being scored. Therefore, one must first put oneself in the reporter's position, requiring keen eyesight and sharp writing; and in the editor's position, requiring a pure heart, a clear mind, and an objective perspective on all issues. The role of a manager is to combine the qualities of a journalist: unwavering stance, firm viewpoint, sharp pen, keen eye, integrity, objectivity, and honesty to bring to the newspaper articles that are full of accurate and timely information, reflecting the breath of life, inspiring and energizing those around them, exploring a wide range of rich and diverse topics across many fields of life, work, activities, study, research… creating a colorful picture.

Each issue published and each program broadcast conveys a message that helps me and everyone live optimistically and positively, striving for good things in life. There is no greater joy than being well-received and appreciated by readers and viewers, as it signifies fulfilling our mission to our superiors and leaders through each specific product – the published issues and broadcast programs. However, to ensure this joy is complete, the editorial board always awaits and listens to information, feedback, and contributions from managers, leaders, specialized agencies, readers, and viewers regarding the articles and images published in the newspaper and the broadcast programs. We approach this with an open mind, respectfully accepting both praise and criticism, sincerely incorporating them to build on strengths, and promptly addressing shortcomings and deficiencies without excuses or avoidance. That is the real joy, the spiritual motivation, and the most positive encouragement that helps the editorial board fulfill the nhiệm vụ of a media organization.

I have completed my assignment and returned to my normal life, enjoying my vegetable garden and fish pond. However, I haven't forgotten the busy days of journalism, worrying about a lack of news, articles, or content that didn't meet requirements, or photos that weren't on topic… At the same time, I've set aside the joys of each published issue, each special broadcast, the medals won at Television Festivals and Spring Newspaper Competitions, and the praise from leaders and commanders for the quality of my published news… All of these are memories I will always cherish and be proud of, the years I spent in journalism, from a contributor, correspondent, editor, and manager, which gave me the joy of holding a pen and the experiences of being a journalist. Journalism has left a deep mark on my memory as a passion, and I will always treasure and preserve these sacred and beautiful things. All of them will become the spice of life, giving me more faith and strength in everyday life.

Kim Loan

Source: https://baodongkhoi.vn/niem-vui-nghe-bao-20062025-a148463.html