Enhancing governance capacity for press agencies

In recent times, implementing the policy on streamlining the apparatus, many provinces and cities have merged local press agencies, forming unified, streamlined, and more professional newsrooms.

Speaking at the panel discussion "Organizing multi-platform newsrooms and managing the quality of press content in the current context", held on the morning of October 2 in Dong Nai, Standing Vice Chairman of the Vietnam Journalists' Association Nguyen Duc Loi stated: It’s an inevitable step to merge press agencies, demonstrating political determination and opening up a new appearance for Vietnamese revolutionary journalism in the new era. However, this also poses many difficulties and challenges, requiring each press agency to be flexible, creative, appropriate, and effective in its approach.

Standing Vice Chairman of the Vietnam Journalists' Association Nguyen Duc Loi chairs the panel discussion. Photo: Huy Anh

Valuable experience drawn after merger

Reporting on the operational situation after 3 months of merging 3 press agencies, including Dong Nai Newspaper, Dong Nai Radio and Television, and Binh Phuoc Radio - Television and Newspaper, along with 2 provincial portals, Deputy Editor-in-Chief of Dong Nai Newspaper and Radio, Television (DNNRTV) Hoang Thi Bich Phu said: After the merger, DNNRTV meticulously implemented the merger project; did a good job of ideological work; promoted democracy, with clear division of labor and responsibilities. The Editorial Board focused on issuing regulations and rules related to the agency's operations; established councils to serve the agency's common tasks after the merger. At the same time, it focused on consolidating the Party organization and political - social organizations. This contributed to stabilizing the organizational apparatus.

Deputy Editor-in-Chief of DNNRTV Hoang Thi Bich Phu speaks at the panel discussion. Photo: Huy Anh

In parallel, DNNRTV innovated across various platforms; concentrated human resources and facilities to jointly perform the function of information and propaganda on 4 types of journalism, diversifying journalistic types and products; increased the number of self-produced news and articles; the form and presentation of journalistic products aimed at professionalism, attractiveness, and engaging the public.

In the current context, press agencies need to build direct relationships with readers; turn data into power and get ready to adapt, reducing dependence on platforms.

Journalist Hoang Nhat, Deputy Head of the Electronic People's Department, Nhan Dan Newspaper

Deputy Editor-in-Chief of Ca Mau Newspaper and Radio, Television Ngo Minh Toan stated: The public today not only reads print newspapers, watches television, and listens to radio programs but also accesses information quickly through online newspapers, social networks, and mobile applications. A newsroom that only maintains a single line, separated between print newspapers, radio, television, and online newspapers, will find it difficult to compete in terms of speed and make an impression amidst the huge flow of information.

Deputy Editor-in-Chief of Ca Mau Newspaper and Radio, Television Ngo Minh Toan speaks at the event. Photo: Huy Anh

After the merger, Ca Mau Newspaper and Radio, Television began to organize a multi-platform newsroom model and gradually connected print newspapers, online newspapers, radio, and television through a publishing operating system. Thanks to this, the Editorial Board can operate centrally, make quick decisions, and clearly assign tasks; at the same time, monitor reader feedback to adjust information content promptly, in line with public tastes, and especially help streamline the apparatus and limit overlaps.

Proposing solutions to enhance journalistic governance capacity

In addition to sharing experiences in operating press agencies after the merger, at the panel discussion, representatives of press agencies and experts proposed many solutions to contribute to enhancing the governance capacity of press agencies.

Dang Thi Phuong Thao, Deputy Director of the Authority of Press under the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, participates in the discussion at the panel discussion. Photo: Huy Anh

During the discussion at the panel discussion, Dang Thi Phuong Thao, Deputy Director of the Authority of Press under the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, stated: In the context of rapid development of digital technology and artificial intelligence (AI), the public is increasingly shifting towards video and social media. Meanwhile, the current content strategy of press agencies is not clear, the converged newsroom model is still formal, the human resources of press agencies do not meet the requirements for digitalization and technology, and quality control is limited.

Deputy Director of the Authority of Press Dang Thi Phuong Thao proposed 7 solutions for the press agencies. These include developing a distinctive content strategy, clearly defining segments and focusing on value-added products; implementing a converged newsroom professionally; developing multi-skilled human resources; investing in modern technology; strengthening legal and professional ethics; a sustainable financial model; and proposing state support for tax policies, training, and digital transformation infrastructure.

Ly Viet Trung, Editor-in-Chief of Ho Chi Minh City Women's Newspaper, discusses at the panel discussion. Photo: Huy Anh

Editor-in-Chief of Ho Chi Minh City Women's Newspaper Ly Viet Trung informed: Vietnam is a leading country in merging press and radio agencies. To enhance management capacity, according to Ly Viet Trung, press agencies need to change the way they provide information to readers, implementing a Star-up Newsroom model - lean, flexible, creative, and continuously innovative.

The first goal of press agencies is readers, and the second goal is revenue. These two goals will support the long-term development of press agencies.

Journalist Le Xuan Trung, Deputy Editor-in-Chief of Tuoi Tre Newspaper

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Dinh Thi Thuy Hang, Senior Advisor, former Director of the Center for Journalism Professional Training, Head of the Department of Marketing and Communication, School of Management and Business - Vietnam National University, Hanoi, speaks at the panel discussion. Photo: Huy Anh

In addition to providing information about the operational models of press in some countries around the world, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Dinh Thi Thuy Hang, Senior Advisor, former Director of the Center for Journalism Professional Training, Head of the Department of Marketing and Communication, School of Management and Business - Vietnam National University, Hanoi, stated: To enhance management capacity, the awareness of leaders is very important. Besides, it is necessary to invest in technology infrastructure, content production must stem from public demand, optimize content, and focus on training a team of reporters and editors.

Vice Chairman of the Vietnam Journalists Association Tran Trong Dung delivers the concluding remarks at the panel discussion. Photo: Huy Anh

Delivering the concluding remark, Vice Chairman of the Vietnam Journalists Association Tran Trong Dung acknowledged and highly appreciated the opinions exchanged and discussed at the panel discussion. Through the presentations and discussions, it is clear that the difficulties and challenges are much greater when implementing the restructuring of press agencies. The Vietnam Journalists Association hopes that through the opinions exchanged at the panel discussion, the press agencies will gain more experience, motivation, and confidence to build a modern, professional newsroom capable of meeting the requirements of tasks in the new context.

By Nga Son – Translated by Mai Nga, Thu Ha