"ON AIR" - Order to start a journey
December 2019 was a major turning point when the Lao Dong Newspaper Multimedia Communication Center was established according to the Prime Minister's decision. From here, digital transformation, applying technology to the working process, production, and content publishing are thoroughly applied at Lao Dong Newspaper. From here, our new journey begins.
A series of news and articles are produced daily and hourly; many live connection events with reporters across the country; Talkshows and online seminars are organized with the minimum number of participants "dug up" at the Newspaper's multimedia studio.
I still remember clearly the recording of the first news report at the multimedia studio of Lao Dong Newspaper. When the "ON AIR" red light lit up, I adjusted the frame, focused on monitoring the sound and light signals, and checked the cue system for the MC. All in just a few seconds, but with one operation, the whole program can "flow into the river and the sea".
At Lao Dong Newspaper, technicians like us are familiar with modern filming equipment, professional construction software, mixing tables, sound system, lighting, autocue. Each daily news report such as "Gold and Foreign currency", "20h News", "Weather News"..., or thematic Talkshow, requires the crew to include only one technique and an editor and MC to operate smoothly and well like a machine.
The work seemed to be repeated, but I had never felt easy. Because "form" is a type of work that does not allow mistakes, viewers only see perfect results, and behind it is the efforts of the whole group.
Up to now, Lao Dong Newspaper has self-produced and regularly distributed 11 weekly news reports and programs, upgraded and published Podcast products daily; all hot issues are made in live video from the site. The Trade Union newsletter is broadcast 2 issues/week and receives much attention from readers on salary issues, social insurance, and content related to workers and laborers.
Behind the camera are moments of stretching like a String
A bulletin only lasts a few minutes, but for us - those behind the camera - every second preparing for the show is a chain of endless stress. Not because the workload is too much, but because every detail must be absolutely accurate. A street light in the wrong direction, a busy sound signal, a section of the screen running in the wrong direction - all could force the crew to start over. And when you are both a technician, a set director, and a mixing machine and a camera like us, errors are almost unavailable.
The studio of Lao Dong Newspaper is not large, but in that space, all equipment must operate synchronously. Right before the ON AIR time, the technical manager must check simultaneously: Is the camera in the correct focus, is the light too strongly sucked into the MCs eyes, is the sound able to pick up any unwanted background noise? At the same time, the wordingcation software also needs to be tested to ensure that each word is displayed at the right time. The scenery is calm, but our brains and feet cannot stop.
There were special moments that made us almost hold our breath. These are moments of transition in Talkshow, online walks or when connecting a live signal from the set to the studio. With just a second of delay, the image can "stand still", and the sound can be interrupted. At that time, experience and composure were the only things that kept the whole crew from panicking.
Doing studio techniques without noise, not outstanding, or even not famous. But behind the lights, there is careful care, eyes looking up at each frame, hands constantly operating. All for the smooth and complete broadcast of the news. And it was that "red light" moment, when everything was pushed to the limit, that was also the moment we lived most fully with the profession.
From traditional to modern, from studio to readers
What I am most proud of is that Lao Dong Newspaper products are no longer limited to print newspapers but are spreading on digital platforms, connecting with young readers. Video newsletters, thematic talks, online connections to bridge points... are all broadcast regularly, with meticulous images, audio, and scripts. Viewers on all platforms, from e-newspapers to social networks such as Facebook, YouTube, TikTok... can see "Lao Dong quality" in each shape.
Modernity does not only come from equipment. It comes from digital transformation thinking. From a streamlined production process to the team's flexible adaptability. Reporters who have been used to writing for a long time learn to speak briefly and clearly in pictures. The technician from only handling the backstage now becomes the "time driver" of the entire program.
I once witnessed a colleague burst into tears when I had to take him back and forth more than 20 times to finish a 3-minute report. I also sat silent for a long time when the hour-long Talkshow had to be canceled due to a technical error. It is those experiences that help us mature, become more professional and more steadfast in the path of modern journalism.
But what makes me admire most is the daily transformation of journalists like reporters and editors at the Multimedia Media Center. Some people used to only text on the computer, now confidently stand in front of the camera, learn each crack, breathe at the right time to host a program. I went from being a " runner-up" to becoming a companion with them, dividing each frame, editing each shirt-only microphone, instructing the MC to focus on the camera lens,...
When the red light lit up, the show's intro music began to ring and the host greeted the audience, this was not just a working session for the camera. The entire studio started operating like a beating heart. We understand that: "ON AIR" is a symbol of effort, a heartbeat of collective spirit, an image of Lao Dong Newspaper constantly changing in the digital age.
