Proud to be a journalist

On the occasion of the 100th anniversary of Vietnam's Revolutionary Press Day (June 21, 1925 - June 21, 2025), our reporter had the opportunity to chat with journalist Pham Ngoc Phi, former Editor-in-Chief of Phu Yen Newspaper, who has dedicated nearly 40 years to journalism, including 15 years as the "captain" leading the editorial office. He shared his profound thoughts on the profession, social responsibility, and journalistic ethics in the current era.

Former Editor-in-Chief of Phu Yen Newspaper, Pham Ngoc Phi (second from left), poses for a photo with the newspaper's editorial board from different periods. Photo: BPY

* On the occasion of June 21st, could you please share your feelings as you look back on your journalistic journey?

- Even though I've retired, every time June 21st - Vietnam Revolutionary Press Day - comes around, my heart races as if I were still in the profession. Journalism is hard work, but it's truly glorious. I always feel proud to have been a part of the revolutionary press, to have contributed my voice to the building and protection of the Fatherland. Through each stage, the press has not only reported and reflected social life but also served as an ideological bridge, the voice of the Party and the People.

In early 1978, from being an active contributor, I was transferred to work as a reporter for Phu Khanh Newspaper, and later held various positions at different newsrooms such as Nghia Binh Newspaper, Binh Dinh Newspaper, etc. In 1990, I was honored to be invited by the late journalist To Phuong to work at the Phu Yen Newspaper editorial office, taking on the position of Head of the Reporter Department and Head of the Administrative and Organizational Department. In 1992, I was promoted to Deputy Editor-in-Chief, and in June 1998, I officially assumed the position of Editor-in-Chief of Phu Yen Newspaper.

* During your time as Editor-in-Chief of Phu Yen Newspaper, what made you most proud?

- In this age of information explosion, it's hard to accept that Phu Yen Newspaper only publishes two issues per week and distributes 1,300 copies per issue. Therefore, since I was an assistant to Editor-in-Chief To Phuong, I have proposed many plans to increase the number of pages and issues, improve and enhance the quality and efficiency of Phu Yen Newspaper's operations, and take on the responsibility of organizing the monthly and weekly editions of Phu Yen Newspaper, expanding its distribution. At the same time, I also organized post-publication activities such as social and charitable work, the Phu Yen Newspaper Cross-Country Race, etc.

Upon becoming the "captain" of the editorial board, I, along with the "crew," vigorously promoted the plan to publish a daily newspaper; paying particular attention to improving the professional skills of reporters by organizing short-term training courses and sending reporters to participate in major national events such as the National Party Congress, sports competitions, and journalism seminars. Prominent and reputable journalists such as Phan Quang, Chánh Trinh, Huỳnh Sơn Phước, Hồng Phương, Dũng Nhân, etc., came to Phu Yen Newspaper to share their skills and experience.

I expect the press to continue to be a bridge between the Party, the government, and the people; a vanguard force on the ideological front. To achieve this, the press must undergo strong reforms – from journalistic thinking to organization and technology application. Journalists must be highly skilled, courageous, responsible, and possess the integrity of a true professional.

Compared to many other newspapers that plan to publish daily editions, such as Can Tho and Binh Dinh, Phu Yen Newspaper faces many difficulties. Although the Provincial People's Council has a very special resolution allocating 15 permanent staff positions to the newspaper, the budget for publishing remains at the annual administrative expenditure level. While royalties have increased over time, they still rank among the lowest in the country. Even after the newspaper completed its plan to publish daily, Phu Yen Newspaper's royalties were 7 million VND per issue, only 40-50% of what other newspapers in Central Vietnam earned. I am very proud that Phu Yen Newspaper celebrated the 14th Provincial Party Congress with a daily newspaper, with a circulation of over 5,200 copies per issue; the Phu Yen End-of-Month edition is printed beautifully; and the Phu Yen online news site and English-language online news site have nearly 30 million readers.

To this day, I remain proud of this and feel happy that I contributed to building a professional and highly skilled team of journalists. Many young reporters who were trained in a challenging, arduous, and deprived journalistic environment have overcome their limitations and matured.

* Can you share some memorable experiences from your time as a journalist?

- As a local Party newspaper, Phu Yen Newspaper always strives to fulfill the mission entrusted to it by the Party and the people. Not only does it diligently propagate and participate in the implementation of the Party's policies and guidelines, but it has also undertaken many major series of articles, using its pen to combat social ills. For example, I personally directed reporters to carry out a series of articles related to the wrongdoings of a business in the province. Afterward, I had to write a response to another newspaper to maintain Phu Yen Newspaper's correct stance, thereby building trust with the Provincial Party Committee and the people.

There are many memories, but perhaps the most profound are the times we worked in difficult conditions, such as days and nights reporting from the scene of natural disasters, storms, and floods. Despite the heavy rain and flooding, and the isolation of many areas, I always encouraged reporters to find ways to reach the scene and send the latest information to readers; creating a reliable source of information so that authorities and philanthropists could reach and support the affected people. This was not only a professional challenge but also a testament to the unity and determination of the entire team to ensure that information reached readers in a timely and accurate manner.

Personally, I still remember most vividly the time I covered the 9th National Party Congress. I not only worked as a reporter but also commissioned articles from many colleagues to make the Phu Yen Newspaper's coverage of the congress more engaging. I also remember the time I went to Singapore to cover Phu Yen's investment promotion program; just two hours after the event ended, I sent my report to the editorial secretary to be published in the next day's issue.

* As someone who used to run a local party newspaper, what advice do you have for the younger generation of journalists?

- Journalists not only wield pens, but also must "win the hearts of the people." This means always putting the interests of the people and the country first. Journalists need to cultivate professional ethics, accumulate knowledge, and immerse themselves in reality. A good report cannot be written from an air-conditioned office, but must come from going to the scene and meeting real people. I hope young reporters will always learn, be creative, constantly improve their skills, and maintain a sense of social responsibility. When working as a journalist, remember that every word can have a significant impact on social life, so always be impartial and accurate; always uphold integrity and professional ethics.

Journalism is a special profession; it's not simply about reporting news, but also about building and protecting what is good, and contributing to the development of the country.

* How would you assess the current state of journalism and the biggest changes in the profession since you began working?

- Journalism today is developing very strongly, with diverse forms and media. Digital technology has created a major turning point, helping journalism spread faster and interact more with readers. However, many challenges have also emerged, such as fake news and competitive pressure. While print newspapers were dominant in the past, online newspapers and social media have now become the main communication channels. Journalists must be both skilled in content creation and adaptable to technology.

Regardless of the time period, I have always believed that journalism is not just a means of information, but also a channel for shaping public opinion and promoting transparency and democracy. In the digital age, that role is even greater, but it also comes with immense pressure regarding speed, reliability, and social responsibility. Journalism needs to be fast, but it cannot be superficial. It needs to reflect multiple perspectives, but it must not cause chaos.

I expect the press to continue to be a bridge between the Party, the government, and the people; a vanguard force on the ideological front. To achieve this, the press must undergo strong reforms – from journalistic thinking to organization and technology application. Journalists must be highly skilled, courageous, responsible, and possess the integrity of a true professional.

Thank you, sir!

Source: https://baophuyen.vn/xa-hoi/202506/tu-hao-nguoi-lam-bao-0d6571a/