“5 in 1 Journalist”: A Story of the Digital Age

(Baothanhhoa.vn) - A shoulder camera, a wireless microphone, a laptop backpack... A reporter - but... like a "mobile newsroom". In the flat world of digital technology and social networks, that image is no longer rare. Today's journalists not only need to write well, but also need to shoot well, know how to edit clips, distribute them on the right platforms, analyze data and respond interactively. "5-in-1 journalist" is a shifting trend, becoming a new symbol of modern journalism - where each individual is a creative "link" in the multi-platform media cycle.

Reporters from Thanh Hoa Newspaper and Radio - Television Station work at the scene. Photo: Viet Huong

“Multitasking” is the “new normal”

Looking back over a hundred years, Vietnamese revolutionary journalism has gone from simple printed pages, carrying the heavy mission of fighting for ideology, to electronic news and video news that spread "dizzily" on social networks. Along with that "flow", the style of journalists has also changed. If in the past, the editorial office needed many positions to participate in a work, from writers, photographers, editors, video editing technicians to dubbing... now, in many cases, all can converge in one person: "5-in-1 journalist".

“Every time I go to the field, I am always ready with equipment: camera, phone, lapel microphone, laptop. When encountering a “hot” or urgent incident, I can film, write, edit and upload to CMS right at the scene. Although there are times of pressure, I am very excited when information is spread promptly on Thanh Hoa Newspaper’s “multi-platforms”, reaching many views”, reporter Le Hoi, Thanh Hoa Newspaper and Radio - Television, shared.

Also working at Thanh Hoa Newspaper and Radio - Television Station, Viet Huong is a reporter who follows the legal sector. Always present early at the scene when readers report incidents, from land disputes to complex civil complaints, she not only works to provide information quickly, but also flexibly uses her working methods to convey stories through many forms. In addition to sharp articles, Viet Huong also produces short videos to broadcast on the electronic newspaper and the newspaper's digital platforms, helping viewers approach the incident in an intuitive and vivid way.

“There are some rather dry legal issues, when I tell them with pictures, clips, legal diagrams... people will easily understand and feel the nature of the problem. At the same time, the rapid spread of social networking platforms also helps state management agencies to approach and handle them promptly. This is a way to renew dry legal topics to become closer, more attractive and spread better.”

On Thanh Hoa e-newspaper and the specialized website Van hoa doi song hom nay, dozens of multimedia press products are published and broadcast every day, from TV news, short videos, E-Magazine, to morning news podcasts, short stories, and essays that touch readers' emotions. At the "digital heart" of the editorial office - which is currently the place producing the hottest digital content, not only technicians but also editors and reporters are proactively adapting to become multi-talented journalists. They not only write news but also directly film on-site, edit videos, host on-site, record podcasts, transfer files to edit the 6pm news or produce independent video publications.

According to journalist Hoang Anh Tuan, Deputy Editor-in-Chief of Thanh Hoa Newspaper and Radio - Television Station, digital transformation today is no longer a choice, but an inevitable path that press agencies must take to affirm their role, position and dominate the information market in the context of digital media explosion and increasingly fierce competition. Building a team of multi-talented journalists is not only an inevitable requirement, but also the "key" to successfully implementing the digital transformation of journalism.

Realizing the need for innovation, over the past years, press agencies in the province have actively implemented digital transformation to all staff, reporters, and technicians, while strongly innovating the converged newsroom model, regularly organizing training courses on modern, multimedia, and multi-platform journalism skills; building a team that understands and is proficient in using technology in journalistic creation.

“Currently, many reporters have mastered content processing skills such as: Taking photos, filming and editing video clips, processing graphic information, exploiting digital data, interacting with readers through digital platforms... In other words, many reporters have been able to independently create multimedia journalistic works, a testament to the shift from traditional work to multi-skilled work. From here, it brings outstanding advantages to journalistic works not only in terms of work quality but also in the ability to reach readers, distribute content and receive feedback from readers", said journalist Hoang Anh Tuan, Deputy Editor-in-Chief of Thanh Hoa Newspaper and Radio - Television Station.

“Carry” the pressure - keep the passion

To be a multi-functional journalist, today's technology can support a lot, from clip editing software, photo editing, AI tools, data analysis applications... all within reach. But for professional journalists, technology is just a means - "heart" for the job is the core. Do it quickly but not easily, do it "number" but not get caught up in trends. And the "5-in-1 journalist" problem is therefore not only a challenge of skills, but also a measure of a professional ecosystem - a place with proper training, worthy treatment and an inspiring environment.

Reporter Le Hoi, Thanh Hoa Newspaper and Radio - Television Station, works on news articles on the top of Sai Khao hill, Muong Ly commune (Muong Lat). Photo: Provided by PV

“We are used to writing articles and taking photos, but now we have to also shoot videos, edit clips, instruct characters to answer briefly, edit post-production... many steps make us bewildered. The high intensity of work, time pressure while filming and editing skills are not yet specialized, sometimes the products do not meet the expected image quality. The current compensation mechanism for multimedia products is still not really attractive for reporters to boldly invest. In my opinion, we need a long-term plan, organize a reasonable working group, promote the strengths of each reporter; at the same time, there should be a department specializing in technical support, post-production techniques to improve the quality of the work. The most important thing is still the orientation and close companionship from the editorial board's leadership, so that reporters do not feel alone on today's transformation journey", reporter Viet Huong shared.

Along with that, to have an attractive multimedia journalism work, it not only requires personal skills but also new approaches and smooth coordination throughout the entire production process.

According to reporter Minh Hai, Thanh Nien Newspaper, through training sessions and professional activities organized by the Thanh Nien Newspaper Journalists Association, reporters, editors, and technicians have been instructed on how to create multimedia journalism works. Each reporter today is proactively going beyond traditional working methods, collecting multi-layered materials - from visual images, behind-the-scenes details to quotes expressing opinions.

“I often approach things from many sides, take many angles, and shoot short clips if possible because the presentation later requires rich material. However, from choosing the topic to designing and presenting is a whole series of tasks, requiring smooth, professional coordination and timely support from editors, department heads, and divisions to complete a truly attractive work. Equipment such as cameras, camcorders, etc. also need to be constantly upgraded to have good images and sounds, meeting quality requirements. At Thanh Nien Newspaper, there is a financial support mechanism (in the form of installment loans) for reporters to invest in cameras and camcorders to keep up with the trend, so this is a strong point for reporters to always be equipped with quality equipment," Mr. Hai shared.

At conferences and forums on digital transformation in press agencies in Vietnam, leading experts and speakers all affirmed that digital transformation is the way to go, but there will be no common formula for all press agencies. This is not a revolution in technology and equipment, but first and foremost, it must be a change in the thinking and working style of journalists.

Deputy Editor-in-Chief of Thanh Hoa Newspaper and Radio - Television Hoang Anh Tuan affirmed that in the coming time, the Editorial Board will continue to raise awareness of digital transformation, while building a team of journalists with strong political will, professional ethics and proficiency in modern journalism skills. "We set out clear requirements for the ability to master technology for the team of reporters, aiming for the model of multimedia journalists: Having knowledge, ethics, foreign languages, mastering multi-platform languages ​​and mastering modern journalism techniques and technology", journalist Hoang Anh Tuan shared.

The 100 years of Vietnamese revolutionary journalism are the 100 years of dedicated, honest and courageous people. That journey is entering a new chapter - where journalists are not only news reporters, but also shock troops, leaders and orientators on the media front!

Minh Hang

Source: https://baothanhhoa.vn/nha-bao-5-trong-1-nbsp-cau-chuyen-cua-thoi-dai-so-252780.htm