Rectifying journalistic ethics in the 4.0 era

To contribute to preserving and promoting journalistic ethics, Ha Tinh has taken many comprehensive measures such as: tightening management; reviewing and screening journalism staff; strengthening the role of authorities in handling violations...

Upholding the qualities and ethics of revolutionary journalists, many generations of reporters have ventured into difficult and dangerous places to produce the most authentic and vivid journalistic works.

Along with the breakthrough and spectacular rise of modern media through the Internet, press activities in Ha Tinh have also been very vibrant in recent years. Up to now, in addition to local press agencies, radio and television stations, Ha Tinh also has 10 representative offices, 37 resident reporters of central newspapers, and more than 20 press agencies using collaborators but have not yet set up representative offices or assigned resident reporters in the area.

The press agencies have accompanied the province, focusing on promoting propaganda on key political tasks, Party building and political system work, promptly reflecting the socio-economic development situation, national defense and security, and foreign cooperation. At the same time, timely propaganda on patriotic emulation movements, typical advanced collectives and individuals in localities and fields. Thereby contributing to the overall development of the province.

Vivid picture of the working activities of Ha Tinh Newspaper reporters.

In general, local press agencies basically implemented the propaganda guidelines and legal regulations on press activities; reflected issues of public concern, contributed to the Party committees and authorities at all levels in grasping and effectively resolving problems arising from the grassroots, and were highly appreciated and concerned by all classes of people.

However, in the bright picture of journalism in Ha Tinh, there are still gray spots that need to be improved - that is the violation of professional ethics by some reporters and collaborators of press agencies. Some reporters and collaborators lack sensitivity, have not performed well the ideological and cultural functions, the functions of participating in management and social supervision, and have shown signs of deviating from the principles, purposes, and leadership of the Party and the management of the State.

Many journalists have written articles with dishonest and inaccurate information, reflecting one-sidedly the negative side of society, reflecting too many negative incidents and social evils, causing insecurity in public opinion; not paying attention to discovering and praising positive factors, typical advanced models in patriotic emulation movements. Meanwhile, the work of fighting and refuting false and hostile information and arguments has not been focused on, is not really sharp, and lacks persuasiveness...

The Inspectorate of the Department of Information and Communications of Ha Tinh province decided to fine a contract reporter of a magazine for operating contrary to its principles and purposes on October 20, 2022. ( Photo courtesy ).

The most obvious manifestation of the violation of professional ethics that has occurred in the past in Ha Tinh is that during their work, some reporters have not properly implemented the principles and purposes according to the press agency's operating license granted by the Ministry of Information and Communications . In 2022 alone, the Department of Information and Communications has punished 3 reporters for violating the principles and purposes. Currently, the authorities have been handling 2 cases of Central newspaper reporters operating in the area who violated these regulations.

Not only that, some reporters and collaborators also "forget" professional ethics, taking advantage of press activities to commit crimes. The case of Dinh Bao Trung (born in 1989, residing in Nguyen Du ward, Ha Tinh city) and 3 accomplices extorting 269 million VND from business owners in Ha Tinh, brought to trial by the Provincial People's Court in March 2022, is a typical example.

On March 24, the People's Court of Ha Tinh province opened the first instance trial of defendant Dinh Bao Trung and his accomplices for the crime of "Extortion of property". (Photo courtesy).

To limit this problem, there should be specific regulations and strict sanctions on the responsibilities of the heads of press agencies. Press management agencies, press management agencies, and the Journalists Association need to strengthen training and education on professional ethics for journalists. In addition, functional sectors and management agencies need to strengthen inspection and handling of press agencies and reporters who violate the law, creating deterrence and prevention.

The authorities must quickly have an effective control and management mechanism to limit false and unverified information that causes harm to the community and society. It is necessary to quickly complete the organization and rearrangement of the press agency system, rectify the widespread situation of magazines operating in violation of their principles and purposes, and strictly handle organizations and individuals who violate press laws.

Hanoi City Police arrested three magazine contributors for extortion. Photo: Pham Kien/VNA).

Discussing this issue, Mr. Nguyen Tien Dung - Head of Information - Press - Publishing Department, Department of Information and Communications said: We have implemented many solutions to propagate and disseminate the law, and guide journalists from central press agencies located in the area and localities and units on issues related to press activities, speaking and providing information to the press in accordance with the provisions of law with the aim of creating the best conditions for press activities and the development of the press.

"However, there is still a phenomenon of taking advantage of the name of the press to carry out personal purposes, which not only violates the law, violates the ethics of journalists, but also seriously affects the reputation and honor of journalists and the journalism profession. To end this situation, it is necessary to handle violations strictly, resolutely, and with enough deterrence. There needs to be coordination between the State management agency of the press and the press management agency from the recruitment, training and retraining stages... so that journalists can operate in accordance with their functions and tasks, and promote their role as soldiers on the ideological and cultural front," Mr. Nguyen Tien Dung emphasized.

King Tran

Source: https://baohatinh.vn/xa-hoi/chan-chinh-dao-duc-bao-chi-thoi-ky-4-0/250122.htm