Mr. Nguyen Duc Loi, Deputy Permanent Chairman of the Vietnam Journalists Association, affirmed: “We are very determined to protect, preserve and raise the value of the National Press Award – this is an immutable principle”.
AMENDING THE REGULATION OF THE NATIONAL PRESS AWARD IN THE NEW SITUATION
At the National Conference in 2024 of the Vietnam Journalists Association held on the morning of March 18, 2024, in Ho Chi Minh City, Mr. Le Quoc Minh, Party Secretary of the delegation, Chairman of the Vietnam Journalists Association, emphasized that this conference will be held with a sense of responsibility, straightforwardness and construction; setting key tasks and breakthrough solutions to create strong momentum in press activities and the activities of the Vietnam Journalists Association in the coming time.
At the same time, clarify the difficulties and challenges in the actual operation of the press, especially the press agencies and the provincial and central levels of the Vietnam Journalists Association in the implementation of the national digital transformation strategy. The implementation of the National Press Development and Management Plan by 2025.
Mr. Minh also noted that the leaders of press units proposed solutions to innovate content and methods to increase the attractiveness, quality, and effectiveness of the activities of the Vietnam Journalists Association as well as the awards of the Association to encourage, motivate and honor the silent but great contributions of true journalists…
One of the focused topics for discussion at the conference is the amendment and supplementation of the Regulations of the National Press Award.
According to Assoc. Prof. Dr. Do Thi Thu Hang, Member of the Standing Committee, Head of the Task Force of the Vietnam Journalists Association, to implement the opinion of the Chairman of the National Press Council on amending the Regulations, based on the proposals and recommendations of the Preliminary Council, the General Council of the National Press Council has coordinated with relevant units to receive, analyze, and synthesize recommendations and proposals to adjust and complete the Regulations of the National Press Award.
Based on the synthesis of opinions from the Vietnam Journalists Association at all levels, the Task Force has revised the Draft and accompanying explanation of the adjusted content to the General Council for issuing Official Letter No. 30 dated (March 4, 2024).
The Vietnam Journalists Association has also issued Official Letter No. 29 (dated January 31, 2024), sent to the provincial and municipal Journalists Associations, the Union of Journalists, and the branches of the Central Vietnam Journalists Association to request opinions on amending the Regulations of the National Press Award from 127 units, of which 63 Journalists Associations at the local level are invited to provide opinions.
The majority of Subcommittees, Preliminary Councils, and some members of the General Council of Judges welcome the leadership of the Association in amending the Regulations of the National Press Award. This is a necessary task to be in harmony with the development of press technology.
Regarding the conditions for participating in the award, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Do Thi Thu Hang said that it is necessary to consider having members of the Organizing Committee and the Panel of Judges not submit works or participate in the award. Since authors can have their names listed in multiple types of awards, it is only necessary to stipulate that they cannot participate in the award they judge, this will encourage more authors to participate.
However, the amendment needs to ensure the best use of the regulations of the award, adjusting what is no longer suitable and adding new ones.
It is most consistent with the additional awards to classify them as Awards for press works and creative press projects on a digital platform, which will be more appropriate than Creative Communications Projects (as this is the National Press Award).
AWARDS MUST ENSURE FAIRNESS FOR ALL TYPES OF PRESS
However, there are some opinions that the simplification of Radio and Television, each type has 02 series of awards as the draft is reasonable, but the simplification of Print Media by 02 series of awards and adding one more award for magazines needs to be mentioned again because according to the current regulations, there are 03 series of awards for the types of print media, of which, 280 political and social magazines currently mainly participate in the third award for commentary, criticism, and discussion.
If the magazine category is split into 01 award, fairness for magazines will not be “improved” because opportunities to participate in the third award for print media have been cut, opportunities to participate in the Digital Media Award have been separated. Therefore, opportunities for 280 political and social magazines to participate become much more difficult than for Radio and Television.
Magazines and newspapers both have their strengths, each type can compete for awards and win awards in their own segments within the same category. Moreover, investigative reporting is very important in journalism and has different characteristics compared to news, reflective articles, so grouping them into one award is believed to be not appropriate.
Furthermore, according to the current structure of the award, currently, 319 scientific journals are almost outside the award system, although scientific dissemination is extremely important for the country (not to mention, 72 literary and artistic magazines also have very few opportunities to participate in the award). Therefore, the proposal needs to add one award group for the genres of scientific information dissemination, profession…
If so, it will both create opportunities for the participation of open magazines and ensure a fair proportion of print media agencies participating in the national award. Because according to this structure, all 671 magazines have the opportunity to participate in the award. And it is time to have an award for research in journalism theory and communication awarded to individuals with research works, project collections for research work, communication theory, journalism profession, and communication.
Due to the special nature of this type, only one prize can be awarded each year, ensuring that the funding is not too outstanding. It means not to leave this part outside the award, although it is not possible not to count their important contributions to the country’s press cause.
In addition, there is an opinion that it is necessary to add a Honorable Lifetime Achievement Award for journalists with great achievements (excellent), with great contributions to the revolutionary press of Vietnam.
The Task Force has revised the Draft Regulations in terms of preserving the structure of the Print Media including 3 groups of awards, Television, Radio, and 2 groups of awards for Digital Media, adding 4 new awards as follows:
(1) Press Works and Creative Press Projects awards;
(2) Awards for information, research, scientific dissemination, professional, literary and artistic works…;
(3) Research awards, journalism theory communication;
(4) “Dedicated Journalist” award for journalists.
Adding 3 new awards for press works, projects, and press coverage is consistent with the development of modern journalism, the trend of multi-platform, multimedia, data journalism, and the application of technology in journalism and communication.
It brings many meanings and benefits, specifically:
Firstly, it increases the participation opportunities for all press agencies, associations, and members in the 3 new groups of awards without being limited by type and genre.
Secondly, it encourages and promotes innovative creativity in journalism, creating motivation for the development of multi-platform journalism, data journalism, and the application of technology in journalism and communication.
Thirdly, it enhances participation and creates motivation for the development of professional sections in newspapers, magazines, radio programs, and television, especially scientific and theoretical journals in specialized fields and literary and artistic works.
Fourthly, it creates opportunities for journalist members to work in training and research, Hanoi Journalists Association, the Vietnam Journalists Association’s press agencies, the Ministry of Information and Communications, training institutions, research institutes…, thereby promoting the research and development activities and the communication of journalism theories in communication.
With the “Dedicated Journalist” Award for journalists, it is a tribute of the Party, the State, and the People to journalists with great achievements and significant contributions to the country’s press cause.
Therefore, according to the proposed amendment, the 2019 Regulations include 5 types of awards with 11 groups of awards; the proposed 2024 Regulations include 8 types of awards with 13 groups of awards for press works, projects; and a “Dedicated Journalist” Award. Therefore, the prize budget increases but very little. The proposal also includes additional provisions on mobilizing social resources to increase the Award Fund.
In discussing the issue of innovation in the National Press Award, Mr. Nguyen Duc Loi said that the National Press Award may need to change the form, content, and structure of the award, however, it must be very careful, and there needs to be more exchanges and in-depth discussions.
“We will hold some meetings inviting experts and senior journalists to continue discussing this content. This year, we will organize the Award as in 2023, it cannot be changed immediately, if changes are made, they will be applied in 2025, which means the National Press Award 2024,” Mr. Nguyen Duc Loi confirmed.
According to Mr. Nguyen Duc Loi, how to make the National Press Award not be overshadowed by countless other press awards such as the Dien Hong Press Award of the National Assembly, the Golden Hammer award of the Party Building, or the Anti-corruption Award of the Fatherland Front, has been of concern to the leaders.
“We are very determined to protect, preserve and raise the value of the National Press Award – this is an immutable principle,” Mr. Nguyen Duc Loi affirmed.
The Permanent Deputy Chairman of the Vietnam Journalists Association said that the Association will have plans to make the National Press Award the highest prestigious award, the most esteemed professional platform by trying to organize it on a bigger, larger scale, and increasing the value of the prize. The organization of the Award Ceremony must also be more sophisticated and magnificent.
