HÀ NỘI — The press has enthusiastically supported the Government, promoted the Government’s integrity and actions, served the people and contributed considerably to the country’s achievements, representatives agreed at a forum held yesterday in Hà Nội.

The forum is one of the activities of the three-day National Press Festival launched on the same day.

Themed “Vietnamese press accompanies the nation in the renewal process”, the festival attracted the participation of 55 news organisations, press training facilities and press equipment companies from around the country.

At the forum, Nguyễn Minh Đức, editor-in-chief of the Kinh tế đô thị (Economics and Urban) newspaper, said that in order to support the building of a facilitating and active government with probity, journalists must also possess the same virtues .

Representatives cut ribbons to launch the festival. — VNA/VNS Photo Minh Quyết

“Without integrity, constructive knowledge and the will to act, we can not go along with the Government in this powerful message," said Đức.

In addition to enthusiasm, journalists must devote their heart and mind to helping build such a Government, he said.

Đồng Mạnh Hùng from the Voice of Việt Nam emphasised that building a facilitating and active government with probity was not only the task of the Government, ministries and agencies. It was also an important task of journalists.

“Journalists must educate the public about the Government’s policy of building a facilitating and active government with probity, and then ensure people support the cause,” said Hùng.

Deputy Prime Minister Vũ Đức Đam gives a speech at the opening ceremony of the National Press Festival. — VNA/VNS Photo Minh Quyết

Attending the opening ceremony of the National Press Festival, Deputy Prime Minister Vũ Đức Đam stated that the press contributes to the country’s innovation, helping Việt Nam to develop more sustainably.

Expressing his happiness that the event’s scale this year was larger than previous years with more attractive content and activities, the Deputy PM said that this was evidence of the national press’s development.

It was also the proof of the press’s contributions to help other sectors in completing socio-economic targets last year, ensuring security and promoting the image of Việt Nam’s people and country to the world, he said.

On display at the festival are New Year press publications as well as outstanding press works published in 2017 and during the first quarter of 2018, including those published by Vietnam News Agency.

Chairman of the Việt Nam Journalists Association and member of the PCC, Thuận Hữu, said that the festival would encourage the press workers to fulfill their tasks to meet higher and higher demands of the people.

It was also a good occasion to honour individuals’ and organisations’ contributions to the country’s revolutionary press cause.— VNS