Proactively inform and grasp public opinion early and from afar

Sharing with SGGP reporters, comrade Duong Anh Duc, member of the Standing Committee of the City Party Committee, Head of the Propaganda and Mass Mobilization Department of the Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee, emphasized that proactively informing and grasping public opinion early and from afar, especially propagating so that people can clearly grasp the information, is the most effective way of propaganda.

Comrade Duong Anh Duc, Member of the Standing Committee of the City Party Committee, Head of the Propaganda and Mass Mobilization Department of the Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee

Promoting network and information transparency

* REPORTER: Propaganda and mass mobilization work is currently facing many advantages but also many challenges. Could you share more specifically about the difficulties that the industry is facing?

* Comrade DUONG ANH DUC : The first difficulty is that the area is new, large and diverse in population, many areas our cadres are not familiar with. To do a good job of ideological work, we must "go early" and grasp the situation from the beginning. If we are slow, even a small piece of information can turn into a big problem, negatively impacting society.

Another challenge is the rapid change in policies and organizational structure, forcing a number of cadres, party members and people to adjust their life and work orientation. This can easily lead to anxiety and worry. Ideological work has not changed in nature, but its scale and complexity have increased many times.

* What solutions has the City Party Committee's Propaganda and Mass Mobilization Department had to respond to the new situation?

* First of all, we attach importance to building and promoting a network to grasp public opinion, based on grassroots cadres, the Fatherland Front, socio -political organizations and the press. Propaganda and mass mobilization work cannot be separated from the Fatherland Front and socio-political organizations. We must make the most of the previously built network and the existing coordination regulations, thanks to which information is transmitted transparently, with explanations and reaches the people in a timely manner.

An important principle is not to let bad elements take advantage of the information gap. Opportunists always find ways to "invade" when the apparatus is busy. Therefore, we promote the provision of official information, accompanied by analysis and clear explanations so that people can understand and agree. When people have a clear understanding of the information, they will be the most active propaganda force, helping to spread trust.

Convey the right message, as soon as possible

* In the digital age, how will propaganda and mass mobilization work innovate itself to make propaganda more effective and spread more deeply, comrade?

* Technology plays a key role. The City Party Committee's Propaganda Department, now the City Party Committee's Propaganda and Mass Mobilization Department, has coordinated with the Department of Information and Communications and now the Department of Science and Technology, the Department of Culture and Sports to deploy software to monitor and analyze information on cyberspace, helping to detect hot spots and sources of spreading bad and toxic news early. Technology tools help to automatically collect information, analyze trends, and identify problems before they spread.

However, technology is just a means. The important thing is that officials must be proactive, sensitive and know how to apply it. The city has 168 wards, communes and special zones. Without a strong network of collaborators, supported by technology and skills, ideological work will find it difficult to keep up with reality.

We identify this as the peak time for propaganda and mobilization work for the people. In addition to applying technology, timely detection, analysis and strengthening coordination of forces to convey the correct message as soon as possible so that people and party members can see their role and participate in propaganda work.

Delegates give comments at the Conference on Propaganda and Mass Mobilization work in the first 7 months of 2025 of the Propaganda and Mass Mobilization Department of the Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee. Photo: VAN MINH

How do you evaluate the need to innovate the team of propaganda and mass mobilization cadres in the current context?

* Propaganda and mass mobilization officers must be pioneers in innovation. In addition to professional skills, those working in propaganda need to be knowledgeable about technology, have multimedia communication skills and be creative in their communication. We have implemented a digital skills training program not only for city-level officers but also for ward and commune-level officers - the places that have direct contact with the people.

In particular, ideological work cannot be separated from information transparency. It is not enough to just say “listen to me and do it” but to explain clearly, reasonably and emotionally so that people believe and accompany. Reality proves that when the policy is correct and the information is timely, people immediately agree and share.

* From your work experience, what message do you draw to strengthen social trust and create consensus in the new development stage of Ho Chi Minh City?

* Ideological and mass mobilization work is one of the "blood vessels" of the political system. In the current context of the city, public opinion is very interested in every change. Without a close coordination mechanism, transparent information and strong application of science and technology , we will be passive in the face of arising problems. The highest goal is to strengthen trust and create social consensus for Ho Chi Minh City to develop stably and sustainably.

Performed by THAI PHUONG - VAN MINH

Source: https://www.sggp.org.vn/chu-dong-thong-tin-nam-bat-du-luan-tu-som-tu-xa-post812025.html