Keep the information flowing during storms and floods

Reporters working on response to storm No. 3 in 2024 in Tien Hai district.

In early September 2024, super typhoon Yagi with very strong intensity made landfall in the northern provinces of our country, causing heavy damage to people and property. Subsequently, the circulation after the storm also caused serious flooding and landslides. In the dangerous natural disaster, together with the Party Committee, the government and functional forces, the team of reporters from central and local press agencies were present in time at the storm center, the disaster hotspot to report information on the developments and consequences caused by storms and floods, the difficulties and losses of the people, as well as the efforts of the Party Committees and the government in rescuing, caring for the people, and overcoming the consequences of natural disasters.

Although Thai Binh province is not the storm center, the impact of super storm No. 3, especially the rain and floods caused by the storm's circulation, has caused severe damage. In order to promptly convey instructions and operations in disaster response; update developments and situations of storms and floods; response activities and damage caused by rain and floods in localities..., the provincial press agencies have developed plans and directed teams of reporters to monitor sectors, industries and localities to grasp the situation, stay close to the base, and ensure timely, accurate and comprehensive reflection of information related to storms and floods.

Reporter Tran Tuan, Special Topics and Documentary Department (Thai Binh Newspaper) was assigned to monitor Tien Hai district, a coastal area, the place at the forefront of the storm, often directly affected when the storm makes landfall. To proactively grasp the situation at the grassroots level, Tran Tuan prepared working equipment; ate, slept, and stayed at the district to be ready to "welcome" the storm. Tran Tuan shared: Along with closely following the propaganda direction of the Editorial Board, I always proactively follow and grasp "hot" information from the grassroots level, from colleagues and social networking platforms to comprehensively reflect the storm response work of the area I am in charge of.

According to reporter Tran Tuan, on the day the storm hit, the Tien Hai District People's Committee Office became the "forward base" of reporters. Not only local reporters, but also many reporters from central press agencies such as Vietnam Television, Voice of Vietnam, Vietnam News Agency , Nhan Dan Newspaper, Lao Dong Newspaper... were working. Although each person worked for a press unit, they all had the same thought of how to report news quickly and promptly and support each other to bring the most authentic images to their audiences and readers. Although working in unfavorable and dangerous weather conditions, it did not reduce their enthusiasm and responsibility for the job. On the day the storm hit, on the way back from work, the car of reporter Trung Du (Lao Dong Newspaper) broke down. In the middle of the stormy, rainy road, he had to call for help and leave his car at the base to be able to move back to send news and articles.

Working in natural disasters and storms, equipment such as cameras, camcorders and accompanying electronic devices are all protected by specialized raincoats, but with strong winds and heavy rain, it is inevitable that the equipment will get wet and damp, leading to damage. Reporter group Thu Trang - Tien Dung, News Department (Thai Binh Newspaper) recalled: On the afternoon of September 10, 2024, the storm made landfall in Thai Binh province. Heavy rain and strong winds caused many electric poles and trees to break and fall; many roads in the city were deeply flooded. At around 6 p.m., the storm had reduced in intensity, but the rain was still very heavy and the winds were strong, the forces were urgently present to overcome the damage, ensuring smooth traffic. We also received orders to set out to promptly convey information about the inspection work, direction to overcome the consequences of the provincial leaders; the sense of urgency and responsibility of the functional forces; as well as record and reflect the initial damage caused by the storm.

Working in the rain and storms is hard for male reporters, but for female reporters, in addition to responsibility, they need passion and enthusiasm for the job. Reporter Luu Ngan, Special Topics and Documentary Department (Thai Binh Newspaper) shared: During storms and floods, reporters are required to make efforts, not be afraid of difficulties, hardships, stick closely to the industry, field, and area to promptly grasp information, and then from the perspective and thinking of a journalist, "cherish" and "package" them into valuable information lines; convey images and videos quickly, accurately, and truthfully about the damage situation and the work to overcome the consequences. When natural disasters and floods strike, agriculture is the first industry to be affected and suffer damage. As a reporter in charge of agricultural propaganda, with more than 10 years of experience in journalism, I have been attached to farmers, sharing the joy of good harvests and good prices, sharing and understanding their losses and damages when natural disasters strike. Perhaps it has been a long time since Thai Binh agriculture and farmers have suffered so much damage. After the storm, the flood receded, taking with it the sweat, efforts and wealth of farmers who sowed golden crops in the fields, making the hearts of journalists like me tighten. “The crews of reporters working in the rain, storms and floods are fraught with many risks and dangers. That is still something that those in charge like us cannot help but worry about, because the safety of our reporters must always be put first. Only when, after finishing their work, they return home can we feel secure” - journalist Nguyen Tung, Head of the Special Topics and Documentary Department (Thai Binh Newspaper) shared. Directly accompanying and sharing the difficulties, hardships and efforts of reporters when working on storm No. 3, Colonel Tong Thanh Son, Commander of the Provincial Border Guard, said: Moving in the rain, storms and floods is very dangerous, difficult for both people and equipment. However, reporters and journalists still stick to the base, accompanying the forces and people during the storm and flood to film, take photos, and promptly convey information to readers. We were very impressed when witnessing the dedication, passion for the job and sense of responsibility of newspaper and radio reporters during the recent storm and flood.

According to statistics, during the rain, storm and flood period from September 6 to 14, 2024, Thai Binh Newspaper published over 300 news and articles; broadcast an average of 100 news bulletins and reports/day on infrastructure related to the direction, proactive response and situation of rain, storm and flood in localities.

I have been assigned by the Editorial Board and the Department's leadership to be in charge of propaganda on natural disaster prevention and control for more than 3 years now. Working in natural disasters, rain and storms always bring me indescribable emotions and maturity in the profession. As the focal point for receiving information and directives from the province to "transform" into news and propaganda articles in the Newspaper, I reported to the Editorial Board to ask to "stick to" the Provincial Command for Natural Disaster Prevention and Search and Rescue to have the fastest and latest information to serve propaganda work. Directly attached to the specialized force of the Command to "watch" for news, I have experienced emotions of excitement, choking, and anxiety when receiving information about damage caused by storms and floods... and also had moments of relief when the reporting agency had finished handling the incident, damage was minimized, and the dike system of the whole province was still safe.

After the storm passed, the “patriotic love and compatriotic affection” continued to light a fire, warming the lives and tragic fates caused by natural disasters. We journalists continued to accompany and stand side by side with the Party Committee, government and people to promptly propagate activities to overcome the consequences of natural disasters; to extend and spread the beautiful actions and the spirit of “mutual love” of the nation. Passion and dedication - always the fulcrum to nurture the soul of revolutionary journalists, worthy of being the vanguard force on the information and propaganda front.

Reporters from Thai Binh Newspaper working in Thuan Nghiep village (Bach Thuan commune) on September 18, 2024, an area deeply flooded after the flood. Reporters working during storm number 3 in 2024.