Professor Tạ Ngọc Tấn, Deputy Chairman of the Central Theoretical Council of the Communist Party of Việt Nam. VNS Photo Nguyễn Long

On the occasion of the 100th anniversary of Vietnam Revolutionary Journalism Day on June 21, Việt Nam News reporter Thu Vân speaks with Professor Tạ Ngọc Tấn, deputy chairman of the Central Theoretical Council of the Communist Party of Việt Nam, who reflects on the profound transformations of the revolutionary press and outlines a roadmap for its future.

With more than four decades devoted to journalism and media education, you have undoubtedly witnessed many defining phases in the evolution of Việt Nam’s revolutionary press. Could you share your reflections on these changes?

Since the founding of Thanh Niên (Young People) newspaper by Nguyễn Ái Quốc, Việt Nam’s revolutionary journalism has marked a full century of development, advancing in step with the nation through a proud and heroic historical journey.

From its humble beginnings in the darkness of colonial rule, under the leadership of the Communist Party and President Hồ Chí Minh, our people rose to launch the glorious August Revolution, waged a courageous and protracted 30-year struggle for national liberation, defeated some of the most powerful invading forces in the world, unified the country and achieved historic milestones through four decades of renewal.

Throughout this journey, the press has grown alongside the revolution, evolving from rudimentary, manual beginnings into a modern, increasingly sophisticated and internationally integrated media landscape.

Having witnessed the development of Việt Nam’s revolutionary journalism since the 1960s, I remain deeply impressed by its remarkable progress, not only in terms of human and technical capabilities, but also in its stature and growing influence both at home and abroad.

At every stage of the nation’s revolutionary journey, the press has played a pivotal role. Every triumph, whether in times of war or in the cause of national reconstruction and development, bears the unmistakable imprint of Vietnamese journalism.

Was there a particular period that left a deep impression on you?

In truth, every stage in the evolution of revolutionary journalism has left me with vivid and lasting emotions. Most striking, however, was the era of the national liberation movement, when the press operated under clandestine conditions and constant repression.

Journalists at that time had no formal training; they learned through reading, through guidance from their predecessors and, above all, through courage. They practised journalism with intellect, bravery and an acceptance of the risks of imprisonment, even death.

President Hồ Chí Minh remains a singular and shining example, a revolutionary leader, an outstanding journalist and a tireless writer, who authored thousands of articles over five decades, covering an extraordinary range of topics and genres. In Nhân Dân (The People) newspaper alone, he published nearly 1,200 articles under dozens of pseudonyms.

During the two long and heroic resistance wars, revolutionary journalism endured unimaginable hardship. Veteran journalists such as Hoàng Tùng, Trần Lâm, Quang Đạm and Thép Mới worked in extremely challenging conditions alongside the resistance press.

Especially moving were the contributions of celebrated writers, poets and artists, names like Xuân Diệu, Huy Cận, Nguyễn Xuân Sanh, Ngô Tất Tố, Nam Cao, Tạ Mỹ Duật, Trần Văn Cẩn, Phan Kế An and many others, who joined the resistance zones and lent their talents to the revolutionary cause.

More than 500 journalists laid down their lives on the battlefield or perished in colonial prisons. In those times, journalism did not only demand intellect and talent, it required blood and sacrifice.

What about the post-war period of socialist construction?

Following reunification, journalism once again came to the forefront, guiding public discourse and playing a pioneering role in the country’s journey towards socialism. The press was a vital force during the difficult and complex search for renewal, actively contributing to national debates on pricing reforms, agricultural contracts and the management of state-owned enterprises.

During this period, traditional media experienced a remarkable boom. Newspapers such as Lao Động (Labour) and Tuổi Trẻ (Youth) reached circulation figures of half a million copies per issue, while several broadcasters were dubbed “wealthy houses” within the industry due to the substantial advertising revenues they generated.

What concerns you most about the current state of journalism?

Concern is an inherent part of any journalist’s life, from selecting topics and shaping compelling narratives to ensuring that their work reaches the public and makes a meaningful contribution to society and the nation. However, in terms of the overall state of journalism, I believe we are currently facing one of the most critical periods in its history.

We are witnessing a profound, era-defining shift driven by advancements in science and technology, particularly artificial intelligence (AI) and social media, which are fundamentally reshaping lifestyles, ways of thinking and modes of communication across the globe.

Journalism is no longer the exclusive preserve of trained professionals. Today, any citizen with knowledge and a sense of civic responsibility can produce content, report on events and influence public opinion. Many have built influential platforms of their own, generating media content that attracts large and engaged audiences.

At the same time, younger generations are turning away from traditional forms of media, while advertising revenues are migrating rapidly to digital platforms.

This new reality signals a communications revolution. The urgent question now is how Vietnamese journalism can meet this challenge, adapt swiftly to new conditions and continue to grow in a meaningful way.

What must journalism do to adapt to this new context?

Journalism cannot stand apart from the sweeping transformations of our time. Audiences have shifted rapidly to digital platforms, reducing the reach and relevance of traditional media. Advertising budgets have followed suit, now overwhelmingly directed towards digital channels, undermining the financial sustainability of newspapers, radio and broadcast television.

According to global research, in 2024, worldwide advertising expenditure exceeded US$1 trillion, with more than 75 per cent allocated to digital media. In this context, transformation is no longer a choice for traditional journalism, it is a matter of survival.

But the shift must go beyond changes within newsrooms or among professional journalists. We must acknowledge a new reality: the convergence of digital transformation, multi-platform integration and multimedia adaptation within established media organisations, working in parallel with citizen journalists, driven by civic responsibility and a commitment to national values.

These contributors may be Party members, youth union volunteers or conscientious content creators, all playing an increasingly important role in the production and dissemination of information in today’s media landscape.

Specifically for print journalism, what do you see as the most important solution during this transitional phase?

As I’ve noted, the biggest challenge facing print journalism today is the steady decline in readership. This, combined with diminishing advertising revenues as businesses increasingly favour digital platforms for greater reach and efficiency, means that print media must pursue strategic and deliberate transformation in order to survive.

First and foremost, there needs to be targeted state investment in essential print publications that serve political objectives and continue to hold social relevance. At the same time, media outlets must urgently reorient their editorial strategies, developing a deeper understanding of their readers’ actual needs, and adjusting both content and presentation accordingly.

In addition, print journalism should focus on producing distinctive, thoughtful and policy-driven content that meets the public’s appetite for information, entertainment and emotional resonance. Audience research is crucial in identifying what types of articles capture interest, enabling newsrooms to tailor content more effectively.

Even traditional print outlets should consider incorporating audio features to enhance accessibility and engagement for modern readers.

All this points to rapid evolution in journalistic skills. But what core qualities must remain constant and timeless?

In my view, two enduring principles should guide journalists. First is the idea that “politics must lead,” as Hồ Chí Minh once said, meaning every journalist must know who they write for, why they write, and for what purpose.

Second, they must preserve the “soul of the nation”, that is, to uphold and promote the finest cultural values and national identity. These are the foundations upon which all creative and professional activities in journalism must be built.

Finally, what advice would you offer a young, novice journalist?

From personal experience, I always remind myself and others of two essential habits. First, never stop learning: from books, from real life, from people. A journalist must understand many things, speak to many people and answer many difficult questions. Without broad knowledge, a journalist will struggle.

Second, be meticulous, absolutely meticulous. A journalist’s words can reach millions. A careless phrase can damage a person, an organisation or even a nation. The old saying, “Once a word leaves the mouth, even four horses cannot chase it back,” remains eternally relevant, especially for young journalists. VNS