Women's voices in journalism management

(PLVN) - In the current context, when the media is in the midst of a storm of digital transformation, AI, multi-channel platforms and unprecedented competitive pressure, the role of leaders becomes even more crucial. There, the voice of women - with flexibility, sensitivity but also full of reason and steadfastness - needs to be listened to, recognized and given equal and substantive opportunities to develop.

On the afternoon of June 19, at the National Press Forum, an in-depth discussion session took place on “Female leaders in journalism: Women's voices in news management”.

Attending the discussion session were Journalist Phan Thanh Phong - Head of the Special Topics Department, Nhan Dan Newspaper, Vice President of the Nhan Dan Newspaper Journalists Association; Dr. Nguyen Tri Thuc - Member of the Editorial Board, Director of the Special Topics and Communication - Distribution Center, Communist Magazine; Ms. Pho Cam Hoa - Head of the Foreign Affairs Department (VOV5), Voice of Vietnam ; Mr. Nguyen Ngoc Thanh - Head of the People's Electronic Department, Nhan Dan Newspaper; Ms. Dang Thi Phuong Thao - Deputy Director of the Press Department, Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism; Ms. Ly Viet Trung - Editor-in-Chief of Ho Chi Minh City Women's Newspaper, Vice President of Ho Chi Minh City Journalists Association; Ms. Lai Thuy Ha - Culture Newspaper; Journalist Ha Tung Long - Today's Countryside Newspaper/Dan Viet Electronic Newspaper...

The proportion of women in senior journalism leadership roles remains modest compared to its potential.

Currently, the country has more than 800 press agencies with about 41,000 people working in the field of press and media, of which about 21,000 are granted press cards. Although the number of female journalists is increasing in both quality and quantity, the potential has not been fully exploited. The proportion of female members in the Vietnam Journalists Association accounts for more than 40%, but to date there has not been a female leader holding the position of Vice President or higher; the number of female editors-in-chief is also quite modest compared to the total number of female journalists.

Speaking at the discussion session, Journalist Phan Thanh Phong - Head of the Special Topics Department, Nhan Dan Newspaper said that through a century of development of Vietnam's revolutionary press, the figure of women journalists has always been present - quietly but persistently.

In the period of renovation, women journalists continue to assert their mettle through increasingly higher roles in the press system. Many female editors-in-chief have contributed to opening up a humane, innovative and current way of thinking about journalism.

In addition, there are more and more female reporters and editors who are the main faces in major press agencies - from print to television, radio and digital platforms. They are present on the front lines - from political meeting rooms to flood zones, from international dialogues to investigative reporting. They are recognized with national press awards and many other prestigious press awards, with the trust of readers, and with the leadership positions they hold.

“But frankly speaking, the proportion of women in senior journalism leadership roles is still too modest compared to the potential. Many talented female journalists still hesitate to step into management positions - because of the double burden of family and work, because of the simmering gender bias in management, and sometimes because of the lack of opportunities to access modern management skills in the digital environment,” Ms. Phong emphasized.

Journalist Phan Thanh Phong - Head of Special Topics, Nhan Dan Newspaper spoke at the discussion session.

According to journalist Phan Thanh Phong, in the current context, when the media is in the midst of a storm of digital transformation, AI, multi-channel platforms and unprecedented competitive pressure, the role of leaders becomes even more crucial. There, the voice of women - with flexibility, sensitivity but also full of reason and steadfastness - needs to be listened to, recognized and given equal and substantive opportunities to develop.

Female journalists are not only good professionals - but can also be good leaders.

Also at the discussion session, Journalist Ha Tung Long said that the chair of the discussion session mentioned the voice of female leaders in the current press agencies. Regarding this, if we understand "voice" here not only as the right to speak out, to express opinions but also as the right to be listened to, to have influence and to decide, then in 100 years of development of the Vietnamese revolutionary press, this has changed positively and clearly in each period, each historical stage.

In the age of digital journalism, the voices of female leaders in the press are clearly present and relatively easy to identify.

“Up to now, we have more than 40% of the members of the Vietnam Journalists Association being women, including many female journalists working as Editor-in-Chief, Deputy Editor-in-Chief, Director of Television Stations and Deputy Director-in-Chief or Deputy Director of Television Stations.

The era of digital journalism has opened up many opportunities for women to assert their leadership roles in press agencies through: Creating and orienting content; Organizing, managing and operating the newsroom; Building office culture and foreign affairs; Linking press activities with social work; Managing digital media crises…; Promoting gender equality in press agencies,” said journalist Ha Tung Long.

Also according to journalist Ha Tung Long, the voice of women in press management now is not simply a matter of being present in the leadership apparatus, but in recent years has contributed to changing the nature of the media: from pure information to media that creates positive social impact. However, objectively speaking, the voices of female leaders in press agencies have not yet been heard on a scale commensurate with their capacity and potential. This is not only an internal issue of the press industry but also reflects the social value system of power, voice and gender.

Delegates participating in the discussion session.

The discussion session raised many very straightforward issues, from the issue of "Are many women in leadership positions still being "softly controlled"?; "Female leaders, to survive, must both uphold principles and be softer than expected?"; "Is there a prejudice that women are emotional and therefore find it difficult to become editors-in-chief?"; "Is there an "implicit standard" that exists where women who are too sharp are considered too strong, and if they are soft, they are judged as lacking leadership qualities?"; "Double standards" are causing many women to struggle to prove themselves, instead of simply being... trusted?"...

After more than 2 hours of in-depth discussion, practical stories and frank concerns showed that the voice of women in journalism today is not just a presence - but a power to create, manage and lead. From the newsroom to the meeting room, from the field to the editorial desk - female journalists are every day affirming their mettle, intelligence and dedication in a challenging profession.

“What we heard today is not simply a story of “gender equality”. But it is an affirmation: Female journalists are not only good at their jobs - but can also be good leaders. They do not need favors - they just need fair opportunities and true trust. When women step up - not only will they change - but the whole journalism industry will mature in a more sustainable and humane way” , Journalist Phan Thanh Phong shared.

Ngoc Nga

Source: https://baophapluat.vn/tieng-noi-cua-nu-gioi-trong-dieu-hanh-bao-chi-post552323.html