• Feelings of a journalist, visual journalist
  • Quietly contributing to the profession

When I first started my career, I thought that journalism was simply about going here and there, and truthfully recording what I saw and heard with a pen and a camera, and that was enough. But the more I did it, the more I realized that journalism is not just about words, but about the heart, about dedication... and sleepless nights with the question: "What more can I do for that character, for that story?"

Sometimes I feel so happy that I am moved to tears because my article is shared by readers, or the characters call to thank me. But there are also times when I feel sad when I go to poor rural areas, or see and hear difficult situations... It is no longer a matter of completing the topic and sending it to the editorial office, but after writing, I only know to pray that when the article is published, it will connect with hearts that share and open their arms to support them. Journalism, to me, is a very real and very real sadness and joy.

Journalists, whether reporters, editors, cameramen, photographers... all have their own professional stories.

For reporters, each week, being assigned to attend conferences and events at the invitation of agencies and units only takes up a small part, while most of the time is still spent traveling to the local area to work. Only then can we promptly grasp and most truthfully reflect the living conditions of the people, the development of the countryside, and create journalistic works that breathe life. Although receiving and providing information to reporters is done according to local speaking regulations, many times I cannot help but be touched and warmed by the enthusiasm and maximum support of the local authorities, as well as the local people.

Sometimes, the work went surprisingly smoothly, making all the reporters happy and... a little confused. Once when we went to the local area, the people were hospitable, friendly, and chatted animatedly like family; sometimes they even set out meals, and if we didn't eat, the uncles and aunts got angry. Sometimes when we met the local authorities, many places were very enthusiastic in their support, when we called, someone was waiting, some even saved their phone number. After a few rings, the other end of the line rang out: "I'm listening, journalist". The content we discussed before going down was carefully prepared by the local authorities, even suggesting a few other topics in the area for... reporters to conveniently exploit, the local brothers were very sincere: "Once in a while, it's difficult, so let's do it together"...

One time, we went on a sudden assignment without notice, thinking we would be refused. Unexpectedly, even though we were busy in a meeting, the commune leader still arranged for someone to receive us thoughtfully, and happily said: "It's okay, I'm glad there's not much work today so I have time to receive you." Hearing that warmed our hearts, and we felt like we were given more motivation to continue our journalism career.

Nearly 15 years in the profession, there are many joys but also many sorrows. Especially sometimes there are cases where it is difficult to access official information from the functional sector to serve propaganda, or have to ask for opinions, meet with difficult unit leaders, reporters have to "ask - wait - wait", going through five or seven stages. By the time the information is verified, written, approved, printed, and published... the story has "cooled down". Like recently, when public opinion was "hot" about whether or not there was human trafficking to Cambodia, my colleagues and I prepared an outline, waiting for verification from the functional agency to get to work, but the plan had to be abandoned because we did not receive a response.

Happy working.

Another heartbreaking thing is that in this era of mixed truth and falsehood, social media is flooded with "unverified news", and we, the mainstream journalists, are also... caught up in the mess.

The story of the profession also has a spiritual element, which many people laugh at because they think it is gossip, but for us it is 100% true. My friend works for the TV column "Farmer's Friend". Working on TV requires images, but there are many times when we "go there and then go back". The host was very enthusiastic at first, but when it came time to raise the camera... "Sorry, I can't film, if I finish filming, all the vegetables will be spoiled!"...

However, such stories still cannot discourage young people who love their profession. Where there is a problem, there is a solution! Sometimes, if we cannot solve it, we will temporarily put it aside and work on other topics to fill in the schedule that we have registered with the editorial office. For us, the ultimate goal is still to bring readers and viewers honest information from life, kind stories, and beautiful stories in everyday life.

Journalism is like that, a profession of dedication, of hard days, even of many dangers, but also a profession of going, seeing, listening to the deepest things in people's hearts, the dark side of life. Therefore, even though sometimes we are tired, we still go, still write, still keep our passion despite all the hardships and difficulties.

Diamond

Source: https://baocamau.vn/buon-vui-chuyen-nghe--a39763.html