"Old farmer" has been a "talking journalist" in the village for more than 40 years

In today's hectic life, among many types of press and media, from television to radio, print newspapers, electronic newspapers..., there is still a special information channel that resonates every day in the villages - that is the "commune radio" loudspeaker. For over 40 years, in Thuong Mo commune, Dan Phuong district, Mr. Ta Nhu Dinh has been likened to a silent "village journalist", quietly contributing to building an information life for the community at the grassroots level.

40 years of "talking journalism"

Mr. Ta Nhu Dinh prepares for a radio broadcast on "commune radio". Photo: Minh Phu

Every early morning, when many people are still asleep, Mr. Ta Nhu Dinh (72 years old) is present at the office of the Commune People's Committee to prepare the first news of the day. It has been more than 40 years since he started working in the cultural and radio work of the commune, from the days when he used portable battery-powered speakers and manual tape recorders, to now modern digital technology, but his sense of responsibility and love for the job have never changed.

In Mr. Dinh's memory of working as a "talking journalist", the rainy and flood days of 1971 are still vivid. "At that time, Thuong Mo commune was divided into two areas inside and outside the dike. Outside the dike was the flood diversion area of ​​the Day River, the water was white. I was the Deputy Secretary of the Commune Youth Union, volunteering to hold a loudspeaker and go by boat to inform and mobilize people to prevent floods. It was difficult and dangerous, but I felt proud when I was later rewarded by the Ha Tay Provincial Youth Union. Perhaps the "career fate" started from there," Mr. Dinh said.

After returning to his hometown in 1980 after being discharged from the army, he worked at a cooperative, then as a commune cultural officer, in charge of broadcasting. “At that time, radio was a valuable information channel, people listened for hours every day, from the central station to the city, district and commune. If you said something wrong or spoke too quickly, people would call to remind you immediately. Doing this job, you have to be careful with every word,” Mr. Dinh shared.

Not only reading the news, he also edits and filters information from various sources, rewriting it in everyday language, easy to understand, and close to the rural people. Especially during the Covid-19 outbreak, the commune loudspeaker is an effective propaganda tool, quickly updating epidemic prevention and control instructions, quarantine lists, vaccination schedules, etc. to each village and hamlet.

Many people say that broadcasting is a simple job, just reading the news. However, in reality, it takes many hours every day to select, rewrite, and update information to suit the local situation. There are days when it rains, there are power outages, or the speakers are broken, but we still have to find a way to fix it so there is no interruption.

Love the job, overcome difficulties

In charge of the "commune radio", Mr. Ta Nhu Dinh undertakes all stages: writing, reading, and technical checking... Photo: Minh Phu

For Mr. Dinh, radio is the fastest way to communicate to the people. “Written newspapers still need time, but when broadcast on loudspeakers, people can hear immediately. Storms, epidemics, village meetings, commune meetings, commune radio broadcasts so people can “grasp the situation” immediately.

Currently, the Commune Radio Station broadcasts twice a day: in the morning from 6:00 to 6:45, in the afternoon from 17:00 to 17:45, relaying from the central, city, and district stations and broadcasting the commune's news. Mr. Dinh alone takes care of all the steps: writing, reading, checking the technique, recording, editing...

Although the work is hard and the allowance is modest, only over 3 million VND per month, he still sticks with it because of his passion. “Thuong Mo has a tradition of growing yellow shrimp grapefruit. My family also has a few acres of grapefruit, so we have income. Moreover, I have asked to quit many times so that the commune can recruit young professionals, but because of the low income, no one will accept me. So I continue my work,” Mr. Dinh smiled lightly.

Director of the Dan Phuong District Culture, Information and Sports Center Bui Thi Quyen said: “The district has 16 communes and towns, all of which have a broadcasting system and staff in charge. Although they are not trained as professional reporters, they are effective "information filters", conveying policies to the people in the closest way.”

According to Ms. Bui Thi Quyen, commune radio broadcasters often do not have fixed working hours, are not on the payroll, and lack working conditions, but they are still persistent and dedicated to the community. To encourage this force, the district organizes the Commune and Town Radio Festival every year and has plans to invest in more modern equipment, as well as more reasonable support policies.

Commune radio broadcasters like Mr. Dinh do not have a press card, no royalties, no payroll, etc., but are still "silent journalists", persistently maintaining the rural information network, connecting people with the government and society.

Amidst the noisy flow of social networks and digital newspapers, there are still quiet people, diligently working every morning and evening, keeping the village loudspeakers resounding far and wide, simple but full of responsibility.

Source: https://hanoimoi.vn/lao-nong-hon-40-nam-lam-bao-noi-o-lang-706280.html