Lam Dong Press Embraces a More People-Centered Approach
Over the past 101 years since being founded and nurtured by President Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam's revolutionary press has remained an inseparable part of the nation's revolutionary cause and a sharp ideological instrument serving the Party, the State and the people. His enduring message — “Journalists are also revolutionary soldiers” — continues to serve as a guiding principle for every member of the press.
Over the past 101 years since being founded and nurtured by President Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam's revolutionary press has remained an inseparable part of the nation's revolutionary cause and a sharp ideological instrument serving the Party, the State and the people. His enduring message — “Journalists are also revolutionary soldiers” — continues to serve as a guiding principle for every member of the press.
On the occasion of the 101st anniversary of Vietnam Revolutionary Press Day (June 21), I would like to extend my warmest congratulations and best wishes to all journalists and media professionals across Lam Dong Province.
Vo Thanh Binh, Member of the Provincial Party Standing Committee and Head of the Propaganda and Mass Mobilization Commission of the Lam Dong Provincial Party Committee
At a time when Vietnam is entering a new era — an era of national advancement and development — the role of journalism has become even more significant, particularly in three essential dimensions.
First, the press serves as a pioneering force and a strategic pillar on the Party's ideological front. Recently, in Directive No. 05 on strengthening the Party's leadership over journalism and communication activities in cyberspace under new circumstances, the Politburo reaffirmed this role while requiring media agencies to proactively shape the online information space, resolutely combat false and hostile narratives, and firmly safeguard Marxism-Leninism, Ho Chi Minh Thought, as well as the Party's platform and policies.
Second, the press is a force that builds public trust and social consensus. Priority must be given to “building” while closely integrating “building” and “combating”, using positive values to overcome negativity and making accurate, constructive and official information the dominant current that guides public opinion and reinforces people's confidence in the Party's leadership and the nation's stable development.
Third, the press plays a crucial role in inspiring aspirations for national development. As General Secretary To Lam has emphasized, journalism must become “a force that builds trust and inspires development aspirations”, spreading positive energy, strengthening patriotism and contributing to the realization of a prosperous, powerful and enduring Vietnam.
Following the merger of Lam Dong, Binh Thuan and Dak Nong provinces, the province now holds a strategic position as Vietnam's largest administrative locality by area, stretching from coastal regions to border areas. It is home to 49 ethnic communities and possesses a rich diversity of cultures, beliefs and religions. These characteristics bring both tremendous advantages and significant responsibilities particularly for ideological work and local journalism.
To ensure that journalistic works aimed at safeguarding the Party's ideological foundation genuinely resonate with the public, Lam Dong's media professionals need to implement several key solutions in a synchronized manner.
First and foremost, media content and storytelling methods must undergo substantial innovation, becoming more people-centered, community-oriented and responsive to public needs. Journalism must speak the language of the people — both literally and figuratively. Special attention should be paid to producing more content in ethnic minority languages while adopting accessible writing styles that place real people and real stories at the heart of every report, allowing citizens to see themselves reflected in journalistic products.
Provincial media agencies must closely combine “building” and “combating”, with “building” serving as the long-term strategy and communication efforts tailored to people's actual concerns and mindsets. Journalism must remain grounded at the grassroots level, widely promote exemplary movements and successful models, and highlight influential religious dignitaries, village elders and community leaders who actively study and follow Ho Chi Minh's thought, morality and lifestyle. Information conveyed through trusted local voices can become a powerful means of helping positive values prevail over negativity.
Promoting positive values and strengthening local brands also represent a fundamental solution for creating a natural form of “social immunity”, nurturing trust and pride while enabling people to independently recognize and reject distorted narratives and misinformation.
Lam Dong's press sector must continue diversifying communication methods and fully leverage digital technology as a tool for public engagement. Lam Dong Newspaper and Radio-Television must not only provide accurate information but also deliver timely, forward-looking and agenda-setting content, staying ahead of other communication channels to reach audiences as quickly as possible.
As Vietnam strives to build a revolutionary press system that is “professional, humane and modern”, there are high expectations for every journalist in Lam Dong to uphold strong political convictions and professional ethics in the spirit of “clear vision, pure heart and sharp pen”; to remain absolutely loyal to the Party's ideals and objectives; and to place national interests and the people's well-being above all else, serving as steadfast soldiers on the ideological and cultural front.
Journalists in Lam Dong are also expected to continuously immerse themselves in local communities, stay closely connected with the realities of people's lives, and promptly and accurately highlight exemplary models and emerging initiatives. At the same time, they should proactively counter harmful and malicious information, thereby contributing to safeguarding national unity.
Media professionals across Lam Dong must embrace innovation, master technology and accelerate digital transformation while preserving the integrity and humanistic values that define journalism. Through high-quality and influential works, they can help promote Lam Dong's image and development aspirations to audiences nationwide and around the world.
I firmly believe that, by building upon the proud legacy of Vietnam's revolutionary press, Lam Dong's journalists will continue to stand alongside Party committees, local authorities and the people, making meaningful contributions to the development of a prosperous, civilized and compassionate Lam Dong Province.
Vo Thanh Binh, Member of the Provincial Party Standing Committee and Head of the Propaganda and Mass Mobilization Commission of the Lam Dong Provincial Party Committee
Photo: Archive
Layout: Huong Lan