ASEAN news agencies join hands to move forward in digital age

Media agencies must undergo a thorough renovation in the context of Industry 4.0, as readers are now interested in new experiences through digital technology applications, not only high-quality content.

That's the opinion of Assoc. Prof. Nguyen Thanh Loi, Editor-in-Chief of the Economic and Urban Newspaper, contributed to the international conference "Digital Newsrooms Management: Theories, Realities and Experiences in the ASEAN Region" recently in Hanoi this week.

Loi said that digital transformation has become an inevitable trend in the press. It is identified as the application of modern technology to journalism activities, enriching the journalism system with advanced features to improve the quality and effectiveness of communication. However, digital transformation also poses challenges to the management and operation of journalists, requiring them to adapt to new technologies and work processes.

Assoc. Prof. Nguyen Thanh Loi, Editor-in-Chief of the Economic and Urban Newspaper. Photo: Trung Nhan/The Hanoi Times

Speaking at the conference, he analyzed the problems facing the digital transformation of the press, gave an overview of the digitalization of the Economic and Urban newspaper, and how to build an e-newspaper in the age of technology.

He pointed out that Vietnam's press faces four problems in the development process. It's the risk of large-scale cyber attacks; then, information from social networks, especially fake news, has an impact on news organizations. "Without the right tools, it is extremely difficult, if not impossible, to verify news sources and identify online trends."

The third one is the trend toward personalization in how users receive information. The final challenge is changing the public's role and position from a passive consumer of media products to an active participant in the communication process.

Moreover, the strong development of social media and social networks (Facebook, Zalo, Twitter, YouTube...) has created fierce competition for journalistic activities.

"The trend towards multimedia also poses challenges that require a digital transformation of news agencies, shifting from a focus on print newspapers to a focus on e-newspapers," said Loi.

He stressed that the press needs innovation in technology and organizational apparatus to keep up with the trend and meet the increasing demands of political tasks.

Meanwhile, Le Quoc Minh, Chairman of the Vietnam Journalists Association, said digital transformation is having a profound impact on the economic, political, and social sectors of nations around the world. For journalism, digital transformation involves the application of digital technology to change content management, operations, production, publishing, content distribution, and business models.

This Vietnamese Journalists' Association conference aimed to create a forum for the press among ASEAN countries to share knowledge and experiences in digital transformation.

It contributed to inspiring solutions for building professional, humane and modern press agencies, innovating the reader experience, generating new revenue streams, and promoting the development of the digital content industry.

The conference was also in line with the goals of improving the quality and effectiveness of the Confederation of ASEAN Journalists' cooperative activities and maximizing the international role of the Vietnamese Journalists' Association within ASEAN.

The conference laid a scientific foundation on a practical basis and proposed experience-based solutions for the development of Vietnam's media landscape and those of ASEAN countries.

At the conference, Atal S. Depari, President of the ASEAN Press Federation, called on the regional news industry to unite and strengthen cooperation to solve difficulties in digital transformation.

He emphasized the importance of sharing and solidarity among media in the region, especially in facing the challenges of the modern era.

Experts from ASEAN countries at a panel discussion. Photo: VNA

According to Atal S. Depari, digital technology has revolutionized the dissemination and consumption of information. Today, it is more important than ever for journalists to unite. Solidarity and cooperation will help press agencies to exchange ideas, strategies, and practical methods.

"I am not only talking about news reporting but also about journalistic ethics, truth, and integrity in every article. This solidarity helps journalism face fake news, information manipulation, and other challenges prevalent in the digital world," said Atal S. Depari.

In the fight against fake news, Atal S. Depari said journalists from ASEAN countries can share experiences, effective information verification tactics, and strategies. These joint efforts will bring readers more accurate and reliable information and contribute to the region's overall stability.

The President of the ASEAN Press Federation said that the cooperation process also helps press agencies share knowledge and resources and enhance operational skills, especially in using information technology to deliver news to the public in a more engaging and richer content.