A noble profession among noble professions

Journalist & Public Opinion Newspaper would like to introduce an article by journalist Nguyen Hong Vinh.
I was fascinated to read all the interesting and attractive stories through 43 veteran journalists in the 3 volumes of Time and Witnesses (Memoirs of Journalists) edited by Professor Ha Minh Duc, just published by the National Political Publishing House Truth.

Nearly half of the talented journalists in their family have passed away, but in the " world of good people", you will surely be very happy to know that many generations of journalists today have been and are appreciating and thanking the contributions that previous generations of journalists have made to the cause of building and defending the Fatherland.

a noble art among noble arts 1 — Journalist Nguyen Hong Vinh at the launch of the 3-volume book "Time and Witnesses"

In particular, I express my deep respect and gratitude to Professor, People's Teacher Ha Minh Duc, who since the 90s of the 20th century, together with many cadres, lecturers and students of the Faculty of Journalism, University of Social Sciences and Humanities, with affection and admiration for the contributions of 43 veteran journalists among hundreds of other senior journalists, has persistently collected documents, met each witness to record the exciting and interesting journalism stories for 10 years, and today, has published these 3 precious books in their entirety.

Love of journalism has become their lifeblood.

I was moved and stopped to read for a long time many passages in the editor's Foreword: "The book, as its name suggests, has a part of time and witnesses. Time is the past half century with many great events in the life of the nation and the witnesses are journalists, political and social activists who are always present in the flow of time. With the duties and functions of journalists, you have been present on all revolutionary fronts of life and have fulfilled your responsibilities... With your sharp pens, you have participated in the nation's struggle during the glorious years of resistance and in the work of building a new democratic, prosperous, just and civilized society... The rich knowledge and experience of you will flow from the past to the future and will certainly add new vitality to today's young generation".

I also appreciate the heartfelt lines in the Introduction to this book by the National Political Publishing House Truth when talking about the purpose of publishing Time and Witnesses: “It is not only to meet the research and study needs of students, those who study journalism, young journalists..., but also to help the public understand journalism, the profession of working with words; a profession that is busy and hard-working day and night, also a profession that requires sweat, tears, and sometimes blood to exchange for the truth”.

After reading all 43 memoirs of journalists in 3 volumes, the overwhelming feeling in me is pride in journalism, a noble profession, as the title of the 851-page book by journalist Quang Dam published 13 years ago. The path to journalism of the 43 journalists is completely different, some were assigned by the organization to work as journalists when they were doing revolution; some came to journalism randomly because a few spontaneous articles were published by a newspaper, and from there became passionate about journalism for their whole life; some, because of the awareness nurtured since entering university, cherished the desire to work as journalists and writers after graduation...

a high-class art in high-class art image 2 — "Time and Witnesses" (Memoirs of Journalists) edited by Professor Ha Minh Duc, has just been published by the National Political Publishing House Truth.

But once they become real journalists, writing has become a personal requirement like food, water, and air to breathe every day. The love for journalism, for each word, each headline, each press product has become the flesh and blood of their lives.

I was moved to know that, preparing to return to the "world of the good", journalists Hoang Tung and Quang Dam both had the same advice for their children and family: "When writing SAD NEWS, do not list long positions, but only say two short words: JOURNALIST!" .

Journalist Thanh Chau, after telling stories about the activities of dozens of journalists who worked in private press agencies from 1930 until before the August Revolution, drew a profound conclusion: "This is the truth about a "mean" profession under the old regime that has passed, to see how different and happier journalists are under our regime today."

The talented journalist Tran Bach Dang wrote: "I have never considered myself a professional journalist. I still consider journalism as my favorite battlefield. Writing for newspapers with all my passion will accompany me until I can no longer write."

Journalist Xich Dieu, a giant of the satirical genre, wrote the following conclusion to his memoirs: "The greatest thing of all is that more than 60 years of journalism have brought me life, life orientation, joys and sorrows, hardships and difficulties, happiness, love...".

The heroic practice of the four wars to defend the Fatherland of our people as well as the practice of comprehensive national renovation under the leadership of the Party has been a great school, training and nurturing talents, creating conditions for journalists to create journalistic works that touch the hearts of readers. Surely there are articles that will live forever, such as the editorials: Victory of the revolutionary trend; The whole country goes to war, all people are soldiers by the excellent political commentator Hoang Tung; Vietnamese bamboo; Hanoi, the capital of human dignity; Ho Chi Minh trail shines on the Truong Son peak... by journalist and writer Thep Moi; Living like an older brother by journalist Thai Duy...

“Never give up this lovely, precious profession!”

Following Uncle Ho's teachings, the 43 journalists in these 3 books are truly pioneers, dedicated and creative in discovering new elements of life, promptly encouraging and praising good people and good deeds, advanced models, spreading them to the whole society, bringing practical results in many aspects, recognized and honored by society.

We can be proud that one of the very important and outstanding contributions of the press in the early period of renovation was the discovery of shortcomings on the agricultural production front due to the prolonged bureaucratic and subsidized mechanism that caused people to suffer from severe food shortages; and thanks to journalists with deep understanding and research of agricultural practices at that time; thanks to the steadfastness of journalists, we contributed to helping the Party Central Committee issue a resolution on "Contracting products to workers" (abbreviated as Contract 10), the first and direct contribution of which belonged to journalists Hoang Tung, Dao Tung, Phan Quang, Tran Lam, Do Phuong, Ha Dang, Huu Tho, Tran Cong Man and many other journalists.

Along with the commendation, many journalists in the book are also pioneers and brave soldiers on the front line against corruption, negativity and social evils, such as journalists Tran Duc Chinh, Duong Ky Anh, Truong Phuoc, Dinh Phong... with the courage to not be afraid of difficulties, hardships, even threats to life, have patiently stuck to the end of the matter, reflecting honestly and objectively, creating a reliable basis to help the authorities handle; thereby helping the Committees, ministries, branches and the State promptly supplement and perfect mechanisms and policies to minimize loopholes in some policies and legal documents. From that, many readers admit that, without the participation of the press to expose corruption, negativity and social evils, where would our regime go?

Through the stories of journalists, I learned many valuable lessons about the need to practice political qualities and professional experience in journalism. Journalist Hoang Tung emphasized: “ Political ideology is the foundation of journalistic ideology! Journalists must constantly practice sharp thinking and accumulate the necessary knowledge.”

Journalist Tran Cong Man considers "life practice is the great school of a journalist's life. If an article lacks the breath of life, it is a soulless article."

Journalist Do Phuong said: "Carefulness and professional acumen, along with honesty in information and civic responsibility, are among the indispensable qualities."

Journalists Phan Quang and Thanh Huong concluded that, “to have a good journalistic work, every journalist should follow the formula: Read, go, think, write”. Journalist and theorist Nguyen Phu Trong summarized a concise point: “Every journalist, if he or she understands his or her job well, has high determination, is passionate about the profession, is eager to learn and has the right working method, will certainly succeed”.

Journalist Nguyen Minh Vi, with 60 years of writing experience, still writes for newspapers after retirement because of the belief that, "journalism has no retirement, social responsibility still requires the dedication of senior journalists when their minds are still sharp and their health allows" . There are many other valuable conclusions about a noble profession mentioned in 3 books, but due to the limited scope of an article, I cannot cite them all here.

To conclude this article, I would like to borrow the advice of French journalist Gat-tông Mont-mút-xô to journalist Quang Dam when he attended an international conference: "Never give up this lovely, precious profession!"

Associate Professor, Dr. Nguyen Hong Vinh

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