Also on Friday, the Ho Chi Minh City’s Journalists Association presented the city press awards to acknowledge journalists’ contribution to the development of Vietnam and Ho Chi Minh City.

Head of the Party Central Committee's Organisation Commission Pham Minh Chinh (4th from left) congratulates VOV on the 94th Vietnam Revolutionary Press Day

The Vietnamese revolutionary press has prospered over the past 94 years, but is now facing numerous challenges amid the 4^th Industrial Revolution and social changes. Prof. Dr. Nguyen The Ky, member of the Party Central Committee and President of the Voice of Vietnam (VOV) said the role of mainstream media will be enhanced in fighting corruption, protecting national sovereignty, and spreading good deeds in society. He called on media agencies and journalists to reform themselves and make full use of social media.

Mr. Ky said: “We need to capitalize on advantages of media. Social media itself is a step forward of IT. Social media is not bad. We should judge whether the intention of social media posts is bad or good. Not only the bad thing but also the good thing is contagious. On my Facebook page, I post my candid and clear opinions, which are useful and do not delve into others’ personal life, hurt anybody, or be detrimental to reality. I post many VOV news reports in the form of TV, radio, or text on my news feed to make them access to the wider public. So we should utilize social media as a tool for us rather than think about it negatively.”