International and domestic reporters interview Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Lê Hoài Trung during the DPRK-USA Hanoi Summit in February. — VNA/VNS Photo

HÀ NỘI — The core mission of journalism is to provide verified information and fight against fake news, said Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc on Wednesday during a visit to the Việt Nam Journalists Association.

He met with journalists ahead the 94th Việt Nam Revolutionary Press Day (June 21). The Government leader praised the media for its reporting on life and society, especially in the fight against corruption and wastefulness.

Journalists must take a pioneering role in conveying big and new events of the country including growth achievements, efforts improving people's livelihoods and the nation's transition from a poor country to a middle-income country, the PM said.

He said covering news quickly and accurately is a requirement for news agencies.

He told journalists and news agencies that he was aware of the difficulties they have to face, including competition from other newspapers and social networks, as well as the decline of traditional newspaper advertising.

Many people cannot distinguish between official newspapers and sources of false information, and think fake news shared on social networks is legitimate. Some agencies do not verify their news, leading to publishing violations, PM Phúc said.

Vietnam News Agency General Director Nguyễn Đức Lợi said there is a shortage of strong workers at the news agencies. Lợi proposed more training for journalists, especially new ones.

The rapid spread of fake news has left serious impacts on society, Lợi said, adding that the Vietnam News Agency is working on software to help identify fake news and serve as a tool for readers and agencies to filter information.

PM Phúc urged journalists to continue to uphold public trust in the Party’s leadership.

“Whatever you write, complimentary or critical, reflecting positive or negative sides, articles must serve the community and the nation and not erode public trust,” PM Phúc said.

He encourage journalists to write stories about good examples of individuals, enterprises and organisations on all means of media from print papers and e-papers to radio and TV broadcasts.

He said he expected journalists to continue to do investigative reporting and write sharp-witted editorials.

Journalism must take advantage of technology which will help news agencies address problems including the competitive atmosphere, Phúc said.

Minister of Information and Communications Nguyễn Mạnh Hùng proposed telecommunication companies reduce internet connection fees for news agencies to create conditions for them to put stories online.

PM Phúc pledged the Government would support news agencies in applying new technologies, create new mechanisms to facilitate their development and pay attention to journalism training. — VNS