Journalism training before the 'tornado' of the digital age

The digital age is constantly changing, requiring journalists to have a proactive mindset to update new knowledge and skills to adapt and integrate in the new period.

Students of the Academy of Journalism and Communication practice filming outdoors. Photo: LV

Gap in training and practice

By 2025, the country will have 60 universities training in journalism and communication. The Academy of Journalism and Communication or the University of Social Sciences and Humanities have integrated digital-oriented subjects such as audio and video production, social media, outdoor reality show recording and hosting.

Student Nguyen Quynh Trang (Faculty of Journalism, Academy of Journalism and Communication) said: “To prepare for the internship, I updated my skills in making videos , reading podcasts, taking photos... quickly operating on the phone with supporting software such as Canva, Cap Cut... These skills support me a lot when going on an internship. Newspaper offices today all require writing articles integrating images, video clips with life issues...”.

It is noted that at the seminars and talks organized by the Faculty and Institute of the School, there are students from the Faculty of Journalism, Multimedia Communications, and Public Relations. They perform the role of scriptwriting, news writing, photography, etc. This is also a regular exercise for journalism students.

However, a challenge is being posed in many newsrooms, artificial intelligence (AI) is gradually participating in the press content production chain, from topic suggestions, draft writing, language editing, search engine optimization, to user data analysis and content customization for each target group. Many journalism students share that this is a big challenge when training in schools has not yet caught up with the reality in newsrooms...

According to Mr. Le Quoc Minh, Member of the Party Central Committee, Editor-in-Chief of Nhan Dan Newspaper, Chairman of the Vietnam Journalists Association , in the digital age, journalists must first of all have a strong political stance, be absolutely loyal to the Party, the Fatherland and the People; have clear professional ethics, and not be influenced by personal interests or negative group interests. Modern journalists must be proficient in their profession, have the ability to work on multiple platforms and media; master digital technology, analyze data, produce attractive digital content, etc. Thus, political stance and ethics will not fade, and they will proactively face new challenges, along with technological capacity and innovative thinking.

“The gap between the knowledge and skills trained in schools and the actual requirements of different press agencies. The curriculum and textbooks are still heavy on theory, slow to update new knowledge and new technology; teaching methods do not really promote the initiative and creativity of learners. Facilities and equipment for practical training are still lacking and outdated, while the teaching staff needs to be trained and updated with knowledge and skills regularly... These are systemic problems that require solutions and comprehensive assessments to make strategic adjustments,” Mr. Le Quoc Minh emphasized.

The studio is equipped with quite modern equipment of the Academy of Journalism and Communication. Here, students practice presenting news bulletins, recording videos, and talk shows. Photo: LV

Colonel Nguyen Hong Hai, Deputy Editor-in-Chief of the People's Army Newspaper, said that in order to shorten the gap between training and practice, in the next 3-5 years, the task is to standardize and modernize the professional foundation. Training schools need to upgrade traditional journalism skills to suit the digital environment, from news writing, video editing, podcast production, data graphic design to content management on social networking platforms...

Besides, we cannot talk about journalism in the 4.0 era without content related to artificial intelligence, digital data, basic algorithms, information security or professional ethics in the digital environment... Courses such as: "Data thinking", "Digital media ethics and law" or "Fighting fake news and information manipulation"... must become the main content of the curriculum, not just stopping at topics or extracurricular activities. In addition, practical practice models need to be promoted. Including courses such as "simulated newsroom", "digital content production" or "internship at newsrooms and technology enterprises" in the curriculum not only helps students get acquainted with reality, but also contributes to forming a culture of learning while doing, an essential requirement in modern journalism training.

Chance of survival

The problems posed to newsrooms are also demands on training institutions. Dr. Phan Van Kien, Director of the Institute of Journalism and Communication Training, University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University, Hanoi, said that training in Journalism and Communication is a special field with double standards. Universities must meet both the academic and scholarly requirements of university training and the updated and practical requirements of scientific and technological development. This is a big challenge for universities training in fields related to journalism and communication.

“To ensure sufficient academic content, update new technology, new knowledge, new trends in teaching and training for journalists, journalism and communication training schools must constantly change their programs. That is a vital requirement for journalism training in the context of digital technology and digital transformation penetrating every corner of life. If we do not change, we will fall behind,” added Dr. Phan Van Kien.

In that context, the Institute of Journalism and Communication, University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University, Hanoi must continuously update new trends, programs, and new technologies in the teaching process for journalists.

The Academy of Journalism and Communication held the opening ceremony of the training course "Application of artificial intelligence (AI) in teaching". Photo: LV

In 2023, the school will introduce the Digital Technology program into teaching: Artificial Intelligence, Data, Digital Media for students to have a knowledge foundation. Students of the school's Institute of Journalism and Communication use AI software to practice in the classroom...

Associate Professor Dr. Pham Minh Son, Director of the Academy of Journalism and Communication, stated that the Academy has clearly identified that reporters and editors today cannot only master one type of journalism. They need to become integrated journalists, able to work in many formats, exploit technology, proficiently use digital platforms and have data thinking. Therefore, the Academy has implemented a series of innovations in training, reflected in three aspects of the mind. Regarding the training program, the Academy has reviewed and updated the teaching content to integrate technology, multimedia and digital thinking in each subject. Many new courses such as digital content production, data journalism, digital media, artificial intelligence in journalism, etc. have been introduced into teaching.

In April 2025, the Academy completed the accreditation of the journalism program with 6 majors. Integrating courses such as "Data Journalism", "Digital Media Technology Engineering";... into the regular program contributes to improving students' digital journalism capacity. At the same time, many traditional courses are also updated in the direction of integrating digital tools and new teaching methods such as blended learning, microlearning and project-based learning.

In terms of training methods and models, the Academy enhances project-based learning, practice according to the converged newsroom model, combining theory with practical skills. Students experience the integrated journalism production process from writing, editing, recording, livestreaming to distributing content on digital platforms. Finally, the Academy strengthens cooperation with press agencies, technology enterprises and international organizations to update new technologies, new trends and create conditions for students to access professional practices right from school.

“The school’s goal is not only to train journalists who can ‘keep up’ with the times, but also those who can ‘lead’ changes in the field of digital media. That is the consistent spirit in the training innovation of the Academy of Journalism and Communication over the past time,” Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pham Minh Son affirmed.

Le Van/News and People Newspaper

Source: https://baotintuc.vn/thoi-su/dao-tao-bao-chi-truoc-con-loc-ky-nguyen-so-20250620135300440.htm