Editor-in-Chief Pham Tuan Anh: Technology does not change the nature of journalism

(Dan Tri) - In the digital era, the scope and rapid spread of news further highlight the heart and professional courage of each journalist.

After 101 years of development, Vietnamese newspapers are constantly innovating to adapt to the social and technological context. Artificial intelligence and digital platforms are dramatically changing the way journalism is produced. Today's reporters can work faster, handle more content formats, and reach readers across multiple platforms.

On the occasion of the 101st anniversary of Vietnam Revolutionary Press Day, journalist Pham Tuan Anh, Editor-in-Chief of Dan Tri newspaper, shares his perspective on the role of journalists in the age of technology, as well as the irreplaceable values ​​of journalists in the face of the strong development of AI in the digital era.

Journalism's value is not in reporting the fastest news, but in accuracy and depth

In a context where technology, artificial intelligence and social networks are drastically changing the way information is produced and spread, in your opinion, what has changed in the core role of a reporter today compared to before?

- Technology has drastically changed the way journalism is done, but it has not changed the nature of journalism. The core role of a reporter is still to discover the truth, verify information and tell stories that are valuable to society. Technology is just a tool for different purposes and goals of the editorial office.

Nowadays, social networks and digital platforms can provide information at almost instantaneous speed, making it difficult for reporters to monopolize hot information. Therefore, the value of a reporter does not lie in reporting the fastest news but in reporting accurate, reliable, and in-depth news.

In the age of technology, reporters need to become information appraisers, data analysts, connectors of news sources and create value-added journalistic products. Technology is a very effective support tool, but cannot replace the critical thinking, professional ethics and social responsibility of journalists.

The development of technology has allowed easier access to information and the ability to update news remotely. But unlike social media units that aggregate news, why do reporters still need to be present directly at the scene, meet characters and witnesses, and carefully review information, sir?

- Technology can help reporters access events faster. It is not necessary to be present at the scene, but many important factors can only be felt and confirmed when directly present.

These are the actual context, details that do not appear online, the character's mood, the community's reaction, signs that can only be obtained through the reporter's perspective, observation, and professional experience. Those things help reporters identify the authenticity of the incident.

Meeting characters and witnesses directly helps reporters verify multi-dimensional information, avoiding dependence on secondary data sources, especially at the risk of content that may have been intentionally cut and distorted. As fake news and misinformation become more prevalent, the need for on-the-ground verification becomes even more important.

At Dan Tri, we consider independent, multi-dimensional, and on-site verification to be the most important professional principles. Technology can assist in gathering information, but the ultimate responsibility for verification remains with the reporter.

Besides directly verifying news sources and demonstrating the role of reporters in journalistic products, how has the reporter's commitment expanded to other forms?

- No matter how much technology has developed, the determining factor in the value of a journalistic work is still the reporter's professional bravery, commitment and responsibility to the truth and the community.

Today, a reporter's commitment is not only reflected in reporting news in remote areas or being promptly present at hot spots. The concept of "commitment" has been expanded in many new dimensions.

First of all is the commitment to pursuing investigative topics, complex social issues, and stories related to people's rights and community interests. Many issues require reporters to persevere for a long time, overcome pressure and constantly search for evidence to clarify the situation.

In the digital environment, the commitment of modern reporters is reflected in the need to continuously learn new technology, master data, produce multimedia journalism products, and apply the advantages of new media platforms to meet the increasingly high and demanding needs of readers.

The commitment here is shown in the willingness to accept testing new ways and forms of conveying information, not following the beaten path but with a harmonious combination between the original values ​​of journalism and the application of science and technology.

For Dan Tri, commitment is also expressed through the social responsibility of journalists. Each Dan Tri reporter and editor is not only someone who reports and reflects on issues, but also accompanies the community, contributing to spreading humanistic values ​​and connecting social resources to support difficult circumstances.

This is also one of the characteristics of modern journalism: not only reporting news but also creating positive impacts for society.

Dan Tri is steadfast in responsible journalism, contributing to social change

As readers have more and more choices in receiving information, in your opinion, what is the core factor that helps Dan Tri newspaper maintain the trust and companionship of readers throughout the past time?

- Not only with Dan Tri, I think trust is the most valuable asset of any press agency. In a context where the public can access information from countless different sources, what helps Dan Tri maintain readers' trust is its steadfastness with core values: accuracy, objectivity, humanity and social responsibility.

We always put information verification requirements first. Information may arrive a few minutes later, but must ensure reliability. Readers not only want to know what's going on, but also whether it's true, what its nature is, what the information means for their lives.

Besides, Dan Tri always tries to maintain a balance between topicality and humanistic values ​​in each journalistic work. We do not follow sensational trends or content that only attracts temporary attention. What we aim for is journalistic products that bring useful information, contribute to solving social problems and spreading positive values.

During the past 20 years since the newspaper was born and developed, readers have also seen Dan Tri's consistency in volunteer activities, charity programs, social work, community support campaigns... Those specific actions have helped build a close relationship and lasting trust between the editorial office and readers.

The press not only reflects reality but also contributes to social change. In the coming time, what orientations will Dan Tri newspaper have to continue to create in-depth journalism products, create positive impacts, and demonstrate its unique identity of "Humanity - Humanity - Compassion"?

- For many years now, Dan Tri has oriented the newspaper not only to stop at reporting quick news but also to develop solution journalism, accompanying society, spreading positive energy, contributing to promoting positive changes in society, with the goal of contributing to the Party and people's work of building the Fatherland. Therefore, in the coming time, Dan Tri will continue to invest in content routes with this orientation.

The identity of "Humanity - Humanity - Compassion" will continue to be the red thread throughout Dan Tri's development orientation. That does not mean that the newspaper only tells touching stories or difficult situations, but also approaches all social issues with respect for people, placing people at the center of information.

We will continue to promote the strengths of philanthropic programs and community connection activities, while strongly applying technology, data and artificial intelligence to improve the quality of journalistic work.

However, I emphasize again that technology is just a tool; The core values ​​are still people, social responsibility and professional ethics of journalists.

I believe that in an era of increasingly developing technology, human values ​​become even more important. That is also the path that Dan Tri chooses: not only reflecting life but also contributing to making life better, through responsible, in-depth journalism products that bring positive values ​​to the community.

- Thank you very much!