Digital technology offers many opportunities for journalism to develop.

On the afternoon of March 15, within the framework of the 2024 National Press Festival taking place in Ho Chi Minh City, the Vietnam Journalists Association chaired and coordinated with the Central Propaganda Department, the Ministry of Information and Communications, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, and the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee to organize the National Press Forum.

This is the first time a high-quality, in-depth professional forum has been held at the National Press Conference.

Party Central Committee Secretary, Head of the Central Propaganda Department Nguyen Trong Nghia; Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang, leaders of several central ministries, departments, and agencies, Ho Chi Minh City, and leaders of press agencies attended the plenary session of the forum.

The forum includes 10 discussion sessions on important and urgent topics of Vietnam's revolutionary journalism in the digital transformation period such as enhancing Party spirit and orientation in journalism activities; building a cultural journalism environment; data journalism and outstanding content strategy; the competitiveness of television in the AI ​​era; dynamic radio in the digital environment; diversifying revenue sources of press agencies; the issue of protecting press copyright in the digital age...

With the participation of more than 60 speakers who are experienced domestic journalists and prestigious international media experts, the forum has a strong influence and multi-dimensional impact on press agencies, journalists and members nationwide.

Mr. Le Quoc Minh, Editor-in-Chief of Nhan Dan Newspaper, Deputy Head of the Central Propaganda Department, Chairman of the Vietnam Journalists Association, shared that the strong development of digital technology brings many opportunities for the press to develop, but also poses many challenges, requiring the press to have strong innovation.

Faced with important issues from practice, the forum was organized with the desire to be a place for in-depth professional exchange, highly practical, addressing the issue of innovation from methods of direction, leadership, management thinking to the practice of journalism activities.

Emphasizing the need for press innovation in the current context, Minister of Information and Communications Nguyen Manh Hung said that digital technology has the first and strongest impact on the press and media sector, creating fundamental changes in this sector.

For the press to develop, it needs new space, new forces, resources, production factors, and new motivation. The new space is digital space. The new production force is digital technology. The new production resources are digital human resources. The new production factor is digital data. The new motivation is digital innovation. Therefore, investing in digital technology, digital human resources, digital data, and digital innovation will be investing in the future of the press.

Minister of Information and Communications Nguyen Manh Hung emphasized that the recent difficulties and problems of the press do not reduce the role of the press, but rather show that the press needs to innovate, and if it does not change, it will be replaced.

Digital technology, the Internet and social media are powerful forces for journalism innovation. This innovation will increase the role and contribution of revolutionary journalism to the cause of building a strong and prosperous Vietnam.

If the press wants to innovate, it must return to and maintain the core values ​​and original mission of revolutionary journalism; the tool to realize innovation is mainly digital technology.

Ho Chi Minh City is one of the localities with the most vibrant press activities in the country.

From a local perspective, Mr. Phan Van Mai, Chairman of Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee, assessed that in recent times, the contribution of the press force to the city's development has been enormous.

In particular, in recent years, the press has strongly promoted its role in promptly and accurately conveying important information from city authorities at all levels, as well as feedback from people and businesses so that the government can promptly make appropriate decisions.

With a ready mindset and efforts to overcome difficulties and challenges, Mr. Phan Van Mai said that the city has set many socio-economic development goals, expected to be achieved in 2024.

The city leaders hope that the press will pay attention and contribute to the city's successful implementation of the set goals; at the same time, they hope that the press will not only participate in propaganda but also participate more deeply in 50 typical city-level works and projects, aiming to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the liberation of the South and national reunification.