Lê Quốc Minh, chairman of the Vietnam Journalists Association and editor-in-chief of the Nhân Dân (The People) newspaper. VNA/VNS Photo

As artificial intelligence (AI) reshapes global media, how can journalists stay relevant? Việt Nam News reporter Ly Ly Cao spoke to Lê Quốc Minh, chairman of the Vietnam Journalists Association and editor-in-chief of the Nhân Dân (The People) newspaper, to learn about how technology is transforming journalism, the challenges facing print media and the mindset needed to drive change in newsrooms.

In today’s world, we are overwhelmed with information, some of it false or misleading. How should journalism respond?

We are living in an era of information overload. The sheer volume of content out there is not just abundant. It is excessive and much of it is unreliable. This makes it increasingly difficult for audiences to distinguish fact from fiction.

Journalists themselves are also struggling to keep up. But this is where technology, especially AI, can become a powerful ally.

For example, AI can help verify the authenticity of images posted online, telling us when and where a photo was taken and whether it’s been digitally altered.

There are also platforms using AI to scan large datasets and documents for anomalies, which is especially useful in investigative journalism.

Human ability alone is no longer sufficient to process the speed and scale of modern information. We need to incorporate smart tools into our work.

Many journalists are concerned that AI will take over their jobs. Is this fear justified?

It’s a natural concern, especially as AI gets better. Initially, people thought AI might replace entry-level journalists with only a year or two of experience.

Now, AI can do tasks once handled by reporters with five to seven years of experience. It can write, analyse and even make editorial decisions.

But instead of fearing it, we should focus on how to use it wisely.

AI can assist in many editorial tasks, like checking spelling and grammar, predicting which stories will engage readers, suggesting stronger headlines or even recommending the best images for a post.

It can personalise content for different audiences, allowing news platforms to tailor their homepage depending on a reader’s interest, be it sports, finance or culture.

This not only saves time but also enables us to focus more on creative and meaningful storytelling.

How do you see the role of print journalism in the future?

There’s no denying that print newspapers are in decline. Some will shrink while others will eventually disappear. But that doesn’t mean print has no value.

In fact, newspapers that combine the strengths of print with digital tools can still find a niche.

Globally, we see innovations in print advertising that go beyond visuals: scented pages, textured designs and even interactive sound features. These are experiences digital can’t replicate.

However, the truth is, many Vietnamese print newspapers haven’t changed much in decades. Their layout, content, and advertising strategies remain outdated, which makes them less attractive. If we don’t change, we will lose our readers.

Can digital platforms replace the revenue that print used to generate?

Not yet, and that is a major challenge. Many media organisations still rely on print for around 40–50 per cent of their income. In the past, that figure was closer to 90 per cent.

While digital journalism delivers content quickly and widely, it hasn't proven as profitable.

Only a few outlets in Việt Nam generate more than 20 per cent of their revenue from digital. Most hover around 10–15 per cent, or even less.

This financial gap means we can’t abandon print entirely. But we must be smarter about how we sustain it, and that requires creative, premium print products that readers find valuable and worth paying for.

You led digital transformation efforts at the Nhân Dân newspaper. What was your biggest lesson?

You have to take risks, as innovation is not a straight path. You may fail 10 times before finding success once or twice.

But if you don’t try at all, you’ll never succeed. At Nhân Dân, we learned to experiment - starting small, scaling what worked and accepting failure as part of the process.

If newsrooms want to move forward, they need leaders willing to leave their comfort zones.

Việt Nam News and Vietnam Law using AI to create front pages for special issues. VNS Photo Ly Ly Cao

If you had to pick a phrase to describe the future of journalism in Việt Nam, what would it be?

I would say continuous innovation. Audiences change fast, especially younger ones. A social media trend can explode one day and vanish the next. Their news preferences shift just as quickly.

Add to that the breakneck speed of technological advancement - a tool you adopt today could be outdated in six months. That’s why we must think creatively, act quickly, and keep evolving.

It is no longer enough to simply publish a good article. Media outlets must produce diverse content: special editions, multimedia formats and even events or products that aren't directly related to journalism but help build brand recognition and audience engagement.

Don't just chase the number of clicks or articles. Focus on quality and innovation.

Change is hard, but not changing is riskier. The old model - writing stories and waiting for people to read - no longer works. Today’s journalists need to think like product developers.

Every day, you should be asking what you can create that’s new, engaging and different. Whether it is a podcast, a visual report, a mobile-first article or even an off-platform campaign. We need to surprise our audiences.

Journalism still matters. But to survive and thrive, we must evolve with our readers or risk being left behind. BIZHUB/VNS