Expert Nguyen Ba Ngoc: Technology supports development of citizen journalism

Expert Nguyen Ba Ngoc

Having worked in journalism for many years and then moving into communications, PR, and training, Nguyen Ba Ngoc, Chairman of the Board of Directors of NBN Media Company (based in Ho Chi Minh City), has extensive experience in harmoniously combining theory with the practice of modern journalism, communications, and PR

On the occasion of the release of the book named “Citizen Journalism, Social Networks (MXH) and PR in the New Era”, held on July 19, Nguyen Ba Ngoc shared insights into the reality of citizen journalism, the influence of citizen journalism and social networks, and what professional journalists need to change and adapt to.

Contributing to building a healthy, trustworthy, and sustainable communication environment

* In your opinion, what is citizen journalism and what is its current reality in Vietnam?

- Citizen journalism has actually been around for a long time, as everyone can record and share information using smartphones. Images from fire scenes, accidents, or everyday moments spread online are a form of citizen journalism.

In Vietnam, the explosion of citizen journalism is also evident, especially on social media platforms such as Facebook, TikTok, Zalo... During major events like natural disasters or prominent social incidents, local people often record images and videos at the scene, sharing them on social media just minutes after the event occurs. Most news, articles, photos, videos... posted by citizens have helped relief organizations and authorities grasp the situation in a timely manner, coordinating aid to severely affected areas.

Expert Nguyen Ba Ngoc signs books at the launch event of "Citizen Journalism, Social Media, and PR in the New Era" at Ho Chi Minh City Book Street.

* So, citizen journalism has demonstrated its role in social life; but from another perspective, it also has its downsides, especially regarding information standards. What is your opinion on this issue?

- Anyone can become a "citizen journalist" by owning a smartphone and a social media account to record and share issues and events in life. These moments are sometimes current and social, which mainstream journalism has not yet had time to access.

However, along with its quickness, "citizen journalism" also has a downside when users abuse social media to engage in certain behaviors that lack ethical standards and violate the law. While in traditional journalism, reporters need to perform many thorough information verification steps, "citizen journalists" are almost not bound to do so.

Therefore, users need to be careful when providing information, because this is not only a professional issue, but also an ethical one. They need to equip themselves with social knowledge to make accurate judgments and provide timely and precise information. Spreading false information, whether accidentally or intentionally, can cause serious harm to the reputation and lives of others.

* Does this mean that the issue of ethics and personal responsibility for citizen journalism needs to be prioritized?

- Along with mainstream journalism, citizen journalism has contributed to providing diverse news sources, quickly transmitting them to readers, helping journalism become an important source of information in the new era.

In the future, as citizen journalism and social media continue to develop strongly, equipping media participants with communication skills and professional ethics will become increasingly important. This will not only help protect the rights and reputation of organizations and individuals, but also contributes to building a healthy, reliable, and sustainable media environment for the entire society.

In the era we live in today, when anyone can become a news provider, there is an even higher demand for responsibility regarding one's information.

Journalists need to adapt to keep up with emerging trends

* We are entering a new era, an era of information explosion, social media with countless communication channels, and the advent of artificial intelligence (AI) has also profoundly impacted all aspects of life. As citizen journalism develops, how will official journalistic channels be affected?

- Citizen journalism is developing strongly and is a massive source of information. This type of journalism is further empowered in the new era, with many new tools that anyone can access, such as smartphones, AI, social media, etc.

Certainly, this has an impact on professional journalists and newsrooms. In Vietnam, the number of regular social media user accounts is statistically reported to reach 110 million in 2024. This figure shows that people are increasingly actively participating in content creation and sharing, contributing to enriching domestic information. This also changes the way information is transmitted and received, and at the same time poses new challenges for both information users and traditional news agencies. The pressure and irreversible trend of new media forces such as social media, citizen journalism, etc., require traditional journalism to adapt and innovate more than ever. First and foremost, in terms of content, then mindset and business model.

* For professional journalists, in the context of citizen journalism as mentioned above and the current social streamlining, what mindset should be maintained?

- The impact is clear, and that is something professional journalists must accept and overcome. But professional journalists also have skills, tools, and other strengths that citizen journalism cannot possess. The rise of citizen journalism does not eliminate the role of professional journalists. Regular interaction, comparison, and combination with citizen journalism are increasingly important and indispensable factors to ensure quick updates on the timeliness and immediacy of information.

Most good journalists are confident; if you are good, society needs you, and if people want to work, there will be many ways. We can do regular journalism with news agencies and also create our own media channels. More than anyone else, we must learn and self-learn, access new technologies like AI; learn from the world to help improve work productivity and gradually change the "script" in a huge source of information and a rapidly developing world.

* Thank you!

The book named "Citizen Journalism, Social Media, and PR in the New Era" consists of 5 parts, including content that identifies communication challenges in the new era, proposes adaptation methods, and information risk management in a volatile online environment. The book is suitable for journalists, PR professionals, journalism students, and anyone pursuing modern communication - marketing fields.

Nguyen Ba Ngoc has over 10 years of experience in journalism in various positions from reporter to Editor-in-Chief for newspapers such as Tuoi Tre, Thoi Bao Kinh Te Sai Gon, Sai Gon Tiep Thi, Dien Dan Doanh Nghiep... He is also the founder of NBN Media Communications Company; has participated in professional PR - communications - marketing for decades at large companies; and was formerly the Head of the PR Department at Viet My (Vietnam- The U.S) College.

By Vuong The (interviewed)/Translated by V.N/H.T