Working in a mountainous province, to get the most authentic and authentic information, reporters and editors often have to "exchange" with the base for 2 to 3 drinks. Another pressure that always accompanies journalists is mistakes, especially for journalists working in print media, because this is an archival format. Every mistake has evidence, even if the cause is a thousand objective and subjective reasons, but if there is a big mistake that needs to be corrected, journalists must be punished according to the agency's regulations. In the editorial office, no one dares to affirm that I do journalism without mistakes.
Editor Hoang Ngoc has a lot of experience working in difficult areas in the province. |
There are also other pressures that journalists face, sometimes the real story seems like a joke, now thinking back, it makes me laugh until I cry. I still remember clearly one time I went to a remote area to write an article about a new agricultural economic model. Before the trip, I had made an appointment with a commune official - who would take me to meet the people and approach the commercial goat farming model. I thought the trip would go smoothly, but as soon as I arrived, I was pulled into a "friendly" reception. On the table was a full bowl of wine, poured by the host with a warm and respectful welcome for journalists that could not be refused. In the journalism profession in the mountains, refusing a glass of wine from the host is sometimes harder than writing a critical article. After 2 or 3 bowls of wine that they said was just a "draft", I could no longer remember where the goat farming model was. The next morning, waking up on the bamboo bed, my head was pounding, I suddenly remembered: Yesterday I had... missed the appointment. The meeting with the main character was missed because of the drunkenness and the other person was busy. As a result, I had to stay another day, drink a few more cups (this time sober enough to decline politely), and then finish the article. The article was well received by readers, but I personally remember it because of the aftermath of a “friendly” reception.
Journalists work in accordance with the law, but sometimes they are still "made difficult" by formal or ignorant requests that make me laugh. Like the time I went to the base to write an article about the vaccination deployment and the implementation of the national health target program. According to regulations, to access information, journalists only need to present a valid press card. I did exactly that - arrived at the place, presented my card, clearly stated the reason for the work, and provided a work schedule. However, the Director of the District Health Center - a seemingly "serious" person looked at my card and shook his head: "Without a letter of introduction from the agency, we cannot provide data". I was surprised, I had sent the schedule and work content, I had a journalist card according to the Press Law, why did I need another piece of paper? I gently explained that: According to current regulations, a journalist card is the most important and legal basis for working, especially when journalists have registered in advance. But the Director still insisted: "I followed the internal procedure. I only accept the letter of introduction, please understand." Hearing that, I had to call the editorial office to send the letter of introduction via email, then print it out at a nearby photocopy shop and bring it to present myself. Only then did the Director happily invite me into the room, pour me a drink and provide me with documents. I smiled and thanked him, but I couldn't help but think: If we had just understood the law correctly and understood the role of the press correctly, we wouldn't have had to spend so much time proving that we were doing the right thing.
Journalism is like that, not only writing well, but also knowing how to "dodge" administrative obstacles with kindness and patience. Because in the end, what we aim for is not winning or losing in the way we work, but authentic information, the most honest stories that need to be sent to readers.
DISCLOSURE
Source: https://baohagiang.vn/xa-hoi/202506/chuyen-la-trong-nghe-bao-cua-toi-95323f0/
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