Throughout the country journalists are celebrating Vietnam’s 85^th Revolutionary Press Day (June 21). Over the past 85 years, Vietnamese journalists, from one generation to another, have overcome many difficulties and challenges and have made significant contributions to the country’s revolutionary cause.

For every journalist or media agency, keeping faith in journalism while serving as a bridge between the Party and people is sometimes an uphill task.

Journalists need aspiration and belief in their mission to help promote social progress.

Journalists are always required to give new, interesting and accurate information. This means that they have to be more mature and responsible during their challenging career.

They can only derive satisfaction from seeing changes happen after writting a good article or a series of in-depth reports.

For instance, after the publication of articles on doctor and martyr Dang Thuy Tram, a new hospital was built and named after Dang Thuy Tram, showing the public’s gratitude to people credited with revolutionary service.

After photos of the Kon Tum ethnic people having to use ropes to cross the Poko river were published, a new bridge is being built thanks to donations from philanthropists. That is the positive impact and strength of information.

A journalists’ joy is very short-lived because when we read a newpaper or watch a certain programme, journalists have already begun a new hunt for information despite a lot of challenges lying ahead. The public is never satisfied with old news. Apart from a very small number of renowned Vietnamese journalists, most of the twenty thousands journalists in Vietnam are unknown, indicating their career is not so glittering as it should be.

Journalists only use their pens to fight evils and negative phenomena under the rule of law. Recently, many journalists have been beaten up and brutally assaulted when carrying out their duties. They often have to work under pressure and stress because their articles and information published will be judged harshly by the public.

However, journalists can be either positive or negative like two sides of the same coin. In recent years, false news stories have greatly affected or tarnished the reputation and honour of many individuals and organisations, sometimes causing big economic losses to businesses. This requires real journalists and media agencies to combat negative phenomena within the law and under strict public control.

The dissemination of reliable information has greatly contributed to stepping up the Doi Moi (Renewal) process. The public is full of praise for journalists and media agencies that keep them abreast of the latest developments in society, especially issues related to broad sections of people. In many ways, the press is like a mirror that reflects the attitude and conscience of the public.

Even in peacetime, while going out and gathering news, many journalists have to sweat blood and tears but what they are doing is worth a try.