Special newspapers in the history of revolutionary journalism

In the 100-year revolutionary press, there are newspapers that have gone down in history, making important contributions to the struggle for national independence and nation building.

Tranh Dau - the first newspaper of the Communist Party of Vietnam

Tranh Dau was the first and most special newspaper of the Communist Party of Vietnam after its founding (February 3, 1930), marking the beginning of revolutionary journalism under the unified leadership of the Party.

Fighting Newspaper - PHOTO: DOCUMENT

Published on August 15, 1930, Tranh Dau was edited by Mr. Trinh Dinh Cuu and printed at a secret facility in the country. The newspaper was 315 x 220 mm in size, printed with steel pen on wax paper, the first issue consisted of 4 pages, each page had 3 columns.

Right from the front page, the article "A few proclamations" clearly defined the role of Struggle as the Party's Central propaganda agency, aiming to unify the thoughts and actions of all party members and the working masses: "The organizations and scattered communist elements in the country have now united into one party called the Communist Party of Vietnam... Today, this Struggle Newspaper was born as the Party's Central agency to unify, to guide thoughts and actions...".

The name Tranh Dau has a profound topical meaning, the newspaper also stated: "This is not only a symbol of the Party's noble aspirations, but also vividly reflects the historical circumstances at that time - a period when from North to South, tens of thousands of workers and farmers were oppressed and exploited and rose up to fight. It was this reality that made the Party choose the name Tranh Dau , clearly demonstrating the mission of accompanying and leading the masses in the fight to regain the right to live and justice."

In particular, the newspaper also had a translation in Nom script to widely disseminate in the countryside - where Nom script was still commonly used at that time.

However, due to the intense persecution of the French colonialists, after the Central Conference in October 1930, the newspaper was forced to stop publishing. In January 1931, the Party Central Committee launched new publications such as: Proletarian Flag Newspaper and Communist Magazine .

Although it only existed for a short time, Tranh Dau marked an important milestone in the history of Vietnamese revolutionary journalism, and was the first voice of the Party on the ideological front right from the first days of its establishment.

Dan Chung - the most widely read newspaper in Indochina

In 1938, in the context of the Popular Front movement initiated by the French Communist Party spreading to the colonies, the Indochinese Communist Party established a number of press agencies to propagate the revolutionary line. Prominent among them was the Dan Chung newspaper , the press agency of the Indochinese Communist Party, headquartered at 43 Hamelin Street (now Le Thi Hong Gam, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City).

Dan Chung Newspaper - PHOTO: DOCUMENT

Under the direct guidance of comrades Ha Huy Tap and Nguyen Van Cu, after 3 months of preparation, Dan Chung newspaper published its first issue on July 22, 1938. Although it had not been licensed (from issue 15, the government officially licensed Dan Chung newspaper ), the newspaper was still published publicly in Saigon and quickly attracted a large number of readers.

With a strong fighting spirit, Dan Chung published many articles condemning the colonialist oppressive policies that caused death and suffering to the people of the colonies, calling for the struggle for democracy, food, clothing and peace . The newspaper became a tool to propagate revolutionary theories, encourage mass movements and was the representative voice of the Indochina Democratic Front.

However, due to the growing influence of Dan Chung , on September 7, 1939 - on the eve of World War II, the French authorities in Saigon ordered the newspaper to close, confiscate assets and arrest those involved. Although it only existed for more than a year with 80 issues, Dan Chung Newspaper set a record for circulation, from 2,000 - 15,000 copies/issue, becoming the most read newspaper in Indochina at that time. The birth of Dan Chung Newspaper was a milestone in the revolutionary journalism career of our Party before the August Revolution.

This was also the newspaper that had the honor of receiving President Ho Chi Minh (then Nguyen Ai Quoc) to send his first article to during the democratic movement in Indochina. In his report to the Communist International in 1939, he commented: "The People's Newspaper published in Saigon since July 1938 was the first newspaper to defy the law prohibiting publication without prior permission... I think that the People's Newspaper is also the most widely read newspaper in Indochina."

Currently, the Dan Chung Newspaper collection is kept at the National History Museum, and the newspaper's headquarters is recognized as a National Historical Site.

Vietnam Independence - the first newspaper of the Viet Minh

Viet Nam Doc Lap was the longest-running newspaper among the revolutionary newspapers, but it was the fastest to be published. In early 1941, after more than 30 years of wandering to find a way to save the country, Uncle Ho returned to Pac Bo (Cao Bang) to build a revolutionary base.

Vietnam Independence Newspaper - PHOTO: DOCUMENT

After the 8th Central Conference (May 1941), along with the founding of the Viet Minh Front, gathering forces to prepare for the August General Uprising later, he decided to publish the newspaper Vietnam Independence as a propaganda and agitation agency for the Viet Minh Front. The purpose of the newspaper was determined:

"Independent Vietnam blows the trumpet

Calling on the people, young and old

United as one heart as iron

To save our country together".

At first, Vietnam Independence was the Cao Bang Provincial Viet Minh Association, then it was the propaganda agency of the Cao - Bac - Lang inter-province, and later it was the mouthpiece of the Viet Bac Autonomous Region: Thai - Tuyen - Ha - Cao - Bac - Lang.

The newspaper was directly directed by Nguyen Ai Quoc himself from organization, editing, writing, drawing, writing on stone and publishing right at Khuoi Nam hut, Pac Bo (Cao Bang). The unique writing style included both political articles and extensive use of verse to make it easy for people to remember, memorize and pass on by word of mouth:

"…The most timely Independent Newspaper

Make us open our eyes and ears

Let us know this and that.

In the country and in the world...".

Right from the first issue (August 1, 1941), the newspaper clearly stated its goal: "To make our people stop being stupid and cowardly, know how to unite to fight the French, fight the Japanese, gain independence and freedom". The newspaper regularly published articles condemning and denouncing the crimes of French colonialism and Japanese fascism; called on the whole people to unite, encourage everyone to join the Viet Minh Association to participate in driving out the invaders to gain independence; instructed people to keep secrets, participate in saving the country, practice military training, protect revolutionary bases, prevent enemy attacks...

Newspapers regularly have sections on domestic and international news, providing readers with information to improve political understanding, broaden their vision, and connect the Vietnamese revolutionary movement with developments in the world...

The Vietnam Independence Newspaper has some particularly important issues in the history of revolutionary press content. Issue 226 published on August 20, 1945, in the article "Liberation Time Has Arrived" wrote: "The liberation day of 25 million compatriots has arrived! All compatriots! Those who love their country and their people! Quickly respond to the Viet Minh under the five-pointed yellow star, quickly rise up to seize power, and establish a very broad provisional people's government on the basis of freedom and New Democracy. Anyone who hesitates at this time is offending the nation." In issue 230 published on October 10, 1945, there was an exciting news article "Golden Week everywhere achieved perfect results..."

The Vietnam Independence Newspaper published its last issue (No. 1737) on March 11, 1976, ending its glorious mission after 35 years of operation, contributing greatly to the cause of national liberation and the Vietnamese revolutionary press.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/nhung-to-bao-dac-biet-trong-lich-su-bao-chi-cach-mang-185250616210631163.htm