The NA leader highlighted journalists’ great contributions to the revolutionary struggles against the French colonialists and the US aggressors to build socialism in the north, liberate the south and reunify the country in 1975. 

The press has made great contributions to disseminating information and mobilising people for the renewal process and creating an open democratic atmosphere in all fields ranging from politics, economics and culture to external affairs, he said. 

The country’s press has grown up together with the national renewal process, he said, adding that never before has Vietnam had many forms of the press, as well as modern means of communication and a strong line-up of journalists. 

However, there still exist shortcomings in press activities, the NA Chairman said, citing the signs of “commercialisation” in providing information, which has affected the prestige of the press. 

Chairman Trong also pointed out work that the press should focus on in order to create a strong unanimity and determination of the whole society. 

He urged journalists to follow the late President Ho’s teachings that focus on truth, educational orientation and combativeness in journalism, 

“Uncle Ho praised journalism as a vanguard force in the ideological and cultural battlefield while journalists are revolutionaries and pens and papers are their sharp weapons,” he said. 

He pointed out that information is the media’s main function and journalists’ duty is to meet the people’s demand. 

He called on journalists to train themselves professionally and ethically to fulfill their duties and obligations.

Mr. Trong expressed his belief that the press will make a greater efforts to become the people’s forum and contribute to the nation’s common cause. 

On this occasion, national press awards were presented to 130 works.