'Commune-level reporters': Keeping the passion for the profession alive!

QTO - During his lifetime, President Ho Chi Minh affirmed: "Journalists are also revolutionary soldiers. The pen and paper are their sharp weapons" and "Revolutionaries, when faced with difficulties, must overcome them, not surrender to them." Reflecting on Uncle Ho's words, the reporters and editors of district, town, and city-level radio and television stations in the past, now "commune-level reporters," have always remained steadfast in overcoming difficulties and hardships, fulfilling all political tasks on the information and propaganda front.

Job-related "shocks"

Following the merger, within the two-tiered local government model, the district-level broadcasting system officially ceased operations and was transferred to the grassroots level. From then on, the reporters and editors of the district-level broadcasting system moved to new positions and operating models at the commune/ward-level General Service Centers. Although they still handle information and communication activities at the grassroots level, with the numerous functions and tasks assigned to these centers, they also had to take on additional responsibilities outside their field of expertise.

In the early days of becoming a "commune-level reporter," many journalists were "shocked." After more than 33 years of journalistic work at the former Bo Trach District Radio and Television Station, when she took on the position of Deputy Director of the Bo Trach Commune Information and Communication Service Center, Ms. Le Thi Thanh's "shock" wasn't for herself, but for her staff. With only five employees, they were responsible for a vast amount of work, including: organizing propaganda, cultural, artistic, and sports activities; managing the cultural center and radio station; implementing agricultural, forestry, and fisheries extension services; providing technical support and disease prevention for crops and livestock; providing essential public services such as market and bus station management, urban order, environmental sanitation... and the information and communication sector.

Media activities of "commune-level reporters" belonging to the Dong Le Commune General Service Center - Photo: Provided

Ms. Tran Thi Tuyen, Deputy Director of the Dong Le Commune Information and Communication Center, shared: “In Dong Le commune, although we possess some equipment for communication work such as cameras, editing equipment, and a sound recording system, I was truly shocked by the shortage of personnel working in journalism. I am the only one with the professional and technical knowledge of journalism. Given this situation, we had to select new people and retrain them from scratch to ensure that information and communication work in the commune was not disrupted.”

The information and communication activities of the "commune-level reporters" face numerous difficulties, the most significant of which is the lack of equipment. This is also a challenging problem that many localities in the province are trying to solve in order to improve the quality and effectiveness of propaganda work, creating a favorable environment for those working in information and communication to fully develop their spirit, responsibility, and passion for their profession.

Mr. Dinh Tien Dung, Chairman of the People's Committee of Dong Le commune, shared: "We attach great importance to information and communication work at the grassroots level... To the best of our ability, the commune strives to better care for the reporters and editors of the former Tuyen Hoa District Radio and Television Station, helping them maintain their passion for the profession and continue to perform their professional duties well."

The journey of keeping the flame of the craft alive.

Despite the difficulties and shortages, Ms. Le Thi Thanh always encouraged everyone to unite, not be afraid of hardship, strive to complete all assigned tasks, and always keep the passion for journalism alive... "After the initial setbacks, the work has now become well-organized. Reporters in charge of information and communication have truly become multi-talented individuals, covering multiple fields and disciplines, ensuring the maintenance of the commune's communication mission," Ms. Le Thi Thanh said.

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Of the 13 staff members at the Dong Le Commune Information and Communication Center, only Ms. Tran Thi Tuyen has any prior journalistic experience. What can be done to ensure uninterrupted communication efforts? How can we cultivate a new generation of "commune-level reporters"? These are questions that urgently need answers.

“With my experience in journalism, I quickly formed a media team of six people. In a short time, with hands-on training, the six female ‘reporters’ quickly mastered their skills, from scriptwriting and radio reading to filming and editing… ensuring that each type of journalism published on Dong Le commune’s digital platforms was of high quality and effective,” said Ms. Tran Thi Tuyen.

The work of the "commune-level reporters" belonging to the Tuyen Phu Commune General Service Center - Photo: Provided

A typical workday for the "reporters" at the Dong Thuan Ward Public Service Center: The media team, consisting of two female "reporters," Thuong Huyen and Ly Na, conducts filming at the Public Service Center; goes on field trips; visits production models; promotes the peak season for beach tourism ; interviews residents... Many activities take place like this, but their only tool is a smartphone.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Thuong Huyen, from the Dong Thuan Ward Information and Communication Center, said: “In the context of limited operational resources, we have to strive even harder to fulfill the communication tasks assigned by our superiors. With just smartphones, we ensure effective communication across numerous digital platforms.”

“From the depths of their hearts, those ‘journalists’ at the commune and ward levels still burn with the dream of continuing to be an extension of provincial and central-level press agencies, contributing excellent journalistic works and beautiful images, helping to broaden the flow of multifaceted and colorful information in the digital age, the era of the homeland and the country's development,” shared Mr. Le Vinh Nhien, Deputy Director of Quang Tri Newspaper and Radio and Television.

Having worked for over 20 years at the former Minh Hoa District Radio and Television Station, Ms. Duong Thi Thuy Linh is currently part of the media team at the Kim Phu Commune Broadcasting Service Center. As a mountainous, border commune, Kim Phu faced numerous difficulties after its establishment, and the work of "commune-level reporters" like Ms. Linh was also impacted by these challenges.

Armed only with a smartphone, after spending time filming the Ruc people in the villages of On, Yen Hop, Mo O O, and the activities of the Border Guard Post Ca Xeng helping the Ruc people prepare for the summer-autumn rice crop... Linh and her media team sat down together to discuss, agree on ideas, develop a script, organize production, and complete the work... all using only a smartphone and an old laptop.

Ms. Duong Thi Thuy Linh and her colleagues working with their phones - Photo: Provided

Having matured and honed their skills at the former district-level radio and television stations, the current team of "commune-level reporters," regardless of their position, working environment, or the difficulties they face, still maintain the same passion and dedication to their profession. For Tran Van Tu and Doan Thanh Dam, who work at the Tuyen Phu Commune Radio and Television Service Center—those who have been associated with the former Tuyen Hoa District Radio and Television Station for over 20 years—their passion for their work burns even brighter. Regardless of day or night, rain or shine, wherever the work needs them, the people need them, so they grab their cameras and head out. Through their articles, photos, and images captured by drones, their homeland expands and becomes even more beautiful.

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Mr. Tran Van Tu shared: "No matter what job I'm in, I always try to utilize my abilities and strengths to the fullest. I'm fortunate to still be working in fields related to journalism and television..."

"Every homeland is a part of the nation's sky," from the cradle of district-level radio and television stations of the past, now becoming "commune-level reporters," the team of commune and ward journalists continues to dedicate themselves wholeheartedly, overcoming difficulties and hardships on the propaganda front, worthy of the teachings of beloved President Ho Chi Minh: Sharp pen, pure heart. Journalists are also revolutionary soldiers. The pen and the page are their sharpest weapons.

Ngo Thanh Long

Source: https://baoquangtri.vn/xa-hoi/202606/phong-vien-cap-xa-neo-giu-lua-nghe-3a81d59/