Mr. Nguyen Duc Loi, the Standing Vice Chairman of the Vietnam Journalists Association, affirms: “We are determined to protect, uphold, and elevate the value of the National Press Award – this is an absolute principle”.
AMENDING THE REGULATIONS OF THE NATIONAL PRESS AWARD TO INCLUDE ALL JOURNALISM COMPONENTS 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 Committee Secretary, Chairman of the Vietnam Journalists Association, emphasized that this conference will be held with a sense of responsibility, frankness, and construction; setting out key tasks and breakthrough solutions to make a strong transformation in the field of journalism and the activities of the Vietnam Journalists Association in the coming time.
In addition, it highlighted the difficulties and challenges in the practical operation of journalism, especially media agencies and the Journalists Association at all levels in implementing the national digital transformation strategy. And the implementation of the national press development and management plan up to 2025.
Mr. Minh also noted that the leaders of the press units should propose solutions to innovate the content and methods to increase the attraction, quality, and effectiveness of the Vietnam Journalists Association’s activities, as well as the awards of the Association to encourage, encourage and honor the silent but significant contributions of the 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, a member of the Executive Committee, Head of the Professional Affairs Committee of the Vietnam Journalists Association, following the guidance of the Chairman of the National Press Council on the amendment of the Regulations, based on the proposals and recommendations of the Preliminary and Final judgment Council, and the opinions at the 17th National Press Awards Conference organized by the Vietnam Journalists Association in October and November 2023 in the 3 regions: North – Central – South, the Professional Affairs Committee, in coordination with relevant units, has received, analyzed, and synthesized the recommendations, proposals to revise and improve the Regulations of the National Press Award.
Based on the synthesis of opinions from the Vietnam Journalists Association at all levels, the Professional Affairs Committee has amended the Draft and the Contents of the adjustment submitted to the Standing Editorial Board for the issuance of Official Letter No. 30 on (March 4, 2024).
The Vietnam Journalists Association has also issued Official Letter No. 29 (January 31, 2024), sent to the Journalists Association of provinces and cities; the Branch Associations, the Journalist Associations under the Central Vietnam Journalists Association, requesting feedback on the amendment of the Regulations of the National Press Award, to 127 units, of which 63 local Journalists Associations were requested to submit their opinions.
Most of the Sub-committees, the Preliminary Judgment Council, a number of members of the Final Judgment Council welcomed the leadership’s attention to amending the Articles of the National Press Award. This is a necessary job to comply with the development of media technology.
Both magazines and newspapers have their own strengths, each type can participate, win prizes in their respective segments in the same group of awards and the same type of media. Moreover, the investigative genre is very important in journalism, with a different nature from news and feature genres, so classifying them into the same group of awards seems not reasonable.
In addition, according to the current award structure, 319 scientific journals are virtually outside the award system, although disseminating science is extremely important for the country (not to mention, 72 literary and artistic journals also have very few opportunities to participate in the awards). Therefore, the proposed opinion needs to add an additional award for the group of categories of scientific communication, professional information, etc.
If so, it not only creates opportunities for the wide participation of journals but also ensures a fair ratio of participation of print media agencies and magazines in the national awards. Because according to this structure, all 671 journals have the opportunity to participate in the awards. And it’s time to have an award for journalism theory research, communication theory awarded to individuals with works, research works, a collection of research works, communication theory, journalism, communication practice.
Due to the special nature of this type, there may be only 1 award given each year, ensuring that the budget is not excessively high, meaning that this part will not be left out of the awards, although it is impossible to ignore their important contributions to the country’s press.
In addition, there are opinions that suggest adding a Lifetime Achievement Award for journalists with great achievements (excellence), with many special contributions to the revolutionary press of Vietnam.
The Professional Affairs Committee has amended the Draft Regulations in such a way as to keep the structure of the three groups of awards for Print media, two groups of awards for Broadcast and Television, and add four types of awards:
(1) Award for Creative Journalism Works and Projects;
(2) Award for Information Works, Research Works, Scientific Communication, Professional, Literary and Artistic Works;
(3) Award for Research Works, Journalism Theory Communication;
(4) “Journalist of Dedication” award presented to journalists.
The addition of 3 new awards for journalism works, products, and projects is in line with the development of modern journalism, the trend of multi-platform, multi-media, multi-media journalism, which allows overcoming the factors of genres and types of communication. It brings many meanings and benefits, specifically:
First, increase the opportunity for all media agencies, associations, and members to participate in the 3 new groups of awards without being limited by type and genre.
Second, encourage and promote creative innovation in journalism, create motivation for the development of multi-platform, multimedia journalism, data journalism, and the application of technology in media communication.
Third, reinforce participation and create motivation for the development of specialized sections in newspapers, magazines, radio, and television programs, especially scientific journals and specialized professional and literary and artistic works.
Fourth, create opportunities for journalists – members of associations, unions, organizations, the Vietnam Journalists Association’s media agencies, the Ministry of Information and Communications, educational institutions, research institutes… to encourage and promote research and development activities and the dissemination of journalism theory and communication.
With the “Journalist of Dedication” award presented to journalists – members.
It is the honor of the Party, the State, and the People for journalists with great achievements and significant contributions to the country’s press.
Therefore, according to the proposed revisions and additions, the 2019 Regulations consist of 5 types of awards with 11 groups of awards; The proposed 2024 Regulations include 8 types of awards with 13 groups of awards for journalism works, products, and projects; 01 “Journalist of Dedication” award. Therefore, the prize budget (the prize money) has increased but very little. The proposed supplementary regulations on mobilizing social resources to increase the Prize Fund.
Regarding the issue of innovation in the National Press Award, Mr. Nguyen Duc Loi believes that the National Press Award may need to change its form, content, and structure. However, it must be extremely cautious and need more discussions, considerations.
“We will hold meetings with experts, experienced journalists to continue exchanging about this content. This year, we will organize the award as in 2023, it cannot be changed immediately. If there are any changes, they will be applied in 2025, i.e. the 2024 National Press Award,” Mr. Nguyen Duc Loi affirmed.
According to Mr. Nguyen Duc Loi, how to make the National Press Award not overshadowed by countless other journalism awards such as the Dien Hong Press Award of the National Assembly, the Golden Hammer and Sickle of the Construction Party, or the Anti-Corruption Award of the Fatherland Front, has long been concerned by the leadership.
“We are determined to protect, uphold, and elevate the value of the National Press Award – this is an absolute principle”, Mr. Nguyen Duc Loi affirmed.
The Standing Vice Chairman of the Vietnam Journalists Association said that the Association will have solutions to make the National Press Award the most prestigious award, the most prestigious professional playground. This can be achieved by trying to organize it on a higher scale, larger scale, and increasing the value of the prize. The organization of the award ceremony must also be more luxurious and magnificent.
