Always remember the advice of General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong about journalism

More than 3 years ago, I was assigned by the Editorial Board of Hai Duong Newspaper to work at the 13th National Party Congress. The Congress took place at the time when the Covid-19 epidemic was breaking out, so security and epidemic prevention work was tightened. Contact with key leaders of the Party and State for filming and photography was also limited to ensure safety. It was not until the morning of February 1, 2021, right after the closing session of the 13th National Party Congress, that we had the opportunity to sit in the same hall, closer to General Secretary and President Nguyen Phu Trong when he chaired the press conference announcing the results of the Congress.

At that time, despite his poor health, the General Secretary was still very witty, smiling as he opened the press conference: “The congress has just ended, I took a few souvenir photos with the delegations and came here immediately to attend the press conference, so my feeling right now is nervous. I am very scared to meet the press!”

What made me and my domestic and international colleagues at the press conference feel both surprised and excited was that General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong spent a valuable amount of time talking about journalism. Having worked for nearly 30 years at the Communist Magazine, Nguyen Phu Trong has held many positions. Although he has worked for many years at a magazine specializing in researching Party theory, Nguyen Phu Trong has a friendly, humble, and humorous way of speaking. He shared: "Fortunately, I have been a journalist for 30 years, but working for a magazine, so I have gradually become acquainted with and learned about the thinking and working methods of journalism. Thank you, everyone, the 13th Congress was a great success."

At the press conference, with the understanding of someone who has worked in journalism, General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong expressed his sympathy and shared the difficulties, hardships, and honors of journalism. Along with acknowledging the contributions of the press to the success of the Congress, General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong shared that journalists must have qualifications, a keen eye, sensitivity, and sharpness to produce timely, accurate, correct, and attractive works. The press must promptly discover and praise good people and good deeds, but must also resolutely criticize and reject bad thoughts and public opinions. According to General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong, to produce quality, unique works, journalists must always be concerned, devoted, and responsible for their profession, "not only working during the day but also at night" so that "the next article will be better than the previous one".

One thing that impressed me and impressed me at the press conference was the interview answer of General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong about the work of preventing corruption and negativity during this term. The General Secretary emphasized, “No stopping, no resting, no matter who it is, there are no forbidden areas. Before, when I saw that I was weak and tired, I was also worried and down, I had that mentality. Then you said, will you do it when the Congress is coming? I said, tomorrow is the Congress, but today, on the day of the trial, I still bring it to court.” In fact, the results of preventing and fighting corruption and negativity since the beginning of the term have clearly shown the determination in the leadership and direction of General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong, saying is doing.

Although it was only a few minutes, the heartfelt sharing of General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong made me and the journalists at the press conference feel excited, more loving and proud of our profession. He also advised our country's journalists that journalism is a noble and sacred profession. Revolutionary journalists must have a revolutionary spirit, that is, the spirit of attacking, fighting to eliminate the bad, protecting the good, for the common cause of the country and the people. The General Secretary's words are the guidelines for us to pursue journalism.