In mid-June 2023, I stepped into the Multimedia Communication Center of Lao Dong Newspaper as a collaborator who was still very unfamiliar. To date, that journey has been 3 years and I am fortunate to become an official reporter for the newspaper.
Growing up from "firsts
Looking back at the past journey, what I cherish most is the opportunity to work in a professional environment, full of enthusiasm and always ready to guide young people.
In the early days, I was still confused with off-topic reading, my voice was not round and my expression was still limited. Thanks to the dedicated guidance of my colleagues, I gradually perfected my professional skills. From regular news off-topic readings, I had the opportunity to participate in hosting daily short news reports, talk shows, and talks with experts and guests, thereby learning more experience in my work.
3 years in the profession is a journey of many "firsts". Those are the first times staying up late to complete the program, the days wandering around the scene in harsh weather, or the pressure when having to update information in the continuous current affairs flow.
I remember the days working with colleagues at events serving propaganda for the military parade, the parade celebrating the 80th anniversary of the successful August Revolution and National Day 2/9. There were days when the work lasted until late at night to promptly convey images and information to readers. Through those experiences, I understood more about the urgency and responsibility of the journalism profession.
One of the most memorable milestones is the time Typhoon Yagi made landfall in the North. When many people sought safe shelter, reporters were still present at the scene to reflect on the developments of the natural disaster and rescue work. In conditions of heavy rain, flooding and many unsafe risks, I and my colleagues followed functional forces to the affected areas to record the reality.
Those days helped me understand that behind each news bulletin is the effort of many people. Each working trip is not only an opportunity to collect information, but also a lesson about responsibility, dedication and the meaning of bringing accurate and timely information to the public.
The privilege of touching lives and spreading sharing
During my work, I was assigned to monitor the health sector. Hospitals from central to local levels have become places I regularly visit to record current affairs issues of the industry.
Journalism in this field requires reporters not only to closely follow events and health policies, but also to approach the reality of patients' lives. Through these trips, I have the opportunity to carry out articles about disease prevention and control, propagating health policies, community health education and warning about risks affecting people's health.
However, what leaves the most thoughts is not just the numbers or professional issues. Those are the stories behind the hospital door.
I have met many families in difficult circumstances, patients who have to fight illness while the burden of hospital fees weighs on their loved ones' shoulders. There are parents quietly sitting by their children's hospital beds, worrying about each day of further treatment. There are patients who have to face a long journey ahead but their economic conditions are too tight.
Those meetings made me realize that the press not only plays a role in reflecting information, but sometimes can also contribute to connecting sharing in the community.
Through the "Life Situation" column and the Golden Heart Fund of Lao Dong Newspaper, I have the opportunity to write about circumstances in need of help. Every time an article receives attention from readers, when kind hearts join hands to support patients to overcome difficulties, I feel even more clearly the humanistic value of journalism.
There are circumstances where, after the article is published, they have received additional support for treatment costs, and have more motivation to continue their journey of treatment. Those moments help me understand that a journalistic work, no matter how small, can still contribute to spreading positive things in society.
I always think that being able to do the job I love is a blessing. With journalism, that blessing is multiplied when work every day brings opportunities to meet different people, listen to different stories and witness many good values in life.
3 years under the roof of Lao Dong Newspaper is a journey of experiences, lessons and maturity. From a collaborator who was still very unfamiliar to becoming an official reporter, I understand that there are still many things to learn and practice ahead.
Each completed program, each working trip or each story about lives helped by the community is motivation for me to continue trying. For me, the most precious thing that journalism brings is not only professional knowledge or experience, but also the opportunity to touch lives, witness the power of compassion and contribute a small part to spreading good values in society.
