Publishing the book 'Journalism must first serve the revolution and serve the people'

On the occasion of the 100th anniversary of Vietnam Revolutionary Press Day (June 21, 1925 - June 21, 2025), the Truth National Political Publishing House released the book " The press must first serve the revolution and serve the people " - a special publication that collects a number of articles, speeches, appeals, letters and telegrams of President Ho Chi Minh sent to readers, journalists, and editorial boards of domestic and foreign newspapers and magazines from 1922 to 1962.

This is not only a publication of historical value but also a valuable and practical document to continue promoting the study and following of Ho Chi Minh's ideology, morality and style, one of the key tasks of the entire Party and people in the current new revolutionary period.

President Ho Chi Minh - National liberation hero, outstanding cultural figure, and revolutionary journalist, founder of Vietnam's revolutionary journalism. He always considered the press a sharp "weapon" in the revolutionary cause, a tool for propaganda, education and mobilization of the people.

Nguyen Ai Quoc believed that revolution was the work of the masses, and that it was necessary to propagate, mobilize, guide, gather and organize the masses, and one of the most effective methods was through journalism. Therefore, his revolutionary activities were always closely linked to journalism. Along with the establishment of the Vietnam Revolutionary Youth Association, Nguyen Ai Quoc launched Thanh Nien newspaper (June 21, 1925) as a mouthpiece - and he himself founded, led, guided and developed the Vietnamese revolutionary press.

He always maintained the view that journalism first and foremost serves the revolution, the Party, and the people. At the same time, he always paid attention to instructing the press team to constantly practice political qualities, ethics, and professionalism.

He emphasized that journalists are also revolutionary soldiers, and that pen and paper are their "weapons", so they must always maintain their fighting spirit and write practical and honest things for the benefit of the people.

The book not only presents very specific and detailed teachings and instructions for journalists, but many articles also demonstrate Uncle Ho's profound thoughts and art of journalism.

A typical example is the article " Revolutionary Path - Why must this book be written " which clearly demonstrates the strategic role of the press in the revolutionary cause and why the press must be the voice of the masses. The article " Propaganda and Propaganda " highlights the art of approaching the public, avoiding empty propaganda but emphasizing the authenticity and effectiveness in conveying the message.

One issue that President Ho Chi Minh was concerned about was the purpose and audience of the press. He advised: "Our press is not for a small number of readers, but to serve the people... so it must have a mass character and fighting spirit"; "Every time you write an article, ask yourself: Who are you writing for? What is the purpose of writing it?"

According to President Ho Chi Minh, journalists must consider themselves revolutionary soldiers, fighting all their lives for the people's cause, for national independence and freedom.

He pointed out: “Journalists must have a firm political stance. Politics must be mastered. Only when the political line is correct can everything else be correct.” Journalists must “be close to the masses,” “go deep into reality, go deep into the working masses” to write practically; overcome the habit of bragging, formalism, and the habit of using foreign words.

Uncle Ho always required journalists to respect the authenticity of their work. He repeatedly reminded journalists to be "careful" with every detail and every figure cited in an article. They must preserve the purity of the Vietnamese language, "an extremely ancient and extremely precious treasure of the nation." In particular, journalists must "always try to learn, always seek progress," "must study continuously and must always be humble." Journalists "must have the will, not hide their ignorance," "must try to learn, and if they try to learn, they will definitely learn."

Even though it has been through many decades, the instructions in the book are still valuable and deeply relevant, still valuable directions for every journalist, publicist, and "soldier" on the cultural front.

In the context of rapidly changing communication technology, the explosion of social networks, multi-dimensional and sometimes chaotic information, maintaining political courage, professional ethics and the ideal of serving the people as Uncle Ho taught is the "red thread" guiding journalists. A century has passed, although technology and forms of journalism have changed a lot, the nature of journalism with the goal and mission of serving the revolution and serving the people as Uncle Ho taught is still valid. The quality of journalism is still determined mainly by the intelligence, talent and ethics of journalists - soldiers on the cultural front as Uncle Ho taught.

The book " Journalism must first serve the revolution and serve the people " is not only a historical document but also a flame of inspiration, fostering ideals, courage and responsibility for every Vietnamese journalist today, a handbook for revolutionary journalists to always be steadfast, maintain their political courage, and always keep in mind their noble responsibility to the Party, the people and society./.

(TTXVN/Vietnam+)

Source: https://www.vietnamplus.vn/phat-hanh-sach-bao-chi-truoc-het-phai-phuc-vu-cach-mang-phuc-vu-nhan-dan-post1044708.vnp