Hanoi (VNA) – Secretary of the PartyCentral Committee and head of its Commission for Information and EducationNguyen Trong Nghia on March 17 asked press agencies and journalists to stayresolved to fulfill the target of building a revolutionary press circle ofprofessionalism, culture and modernity.

In his opening remarks at the 2023 National PressFestival in Hanoi, Nghia suggested that more attention should be paid topersonnel development in order to improve the efficiency of the popularisationof the Party’s guidelines and the State’s laws and policies.

The sector needs to mirror national reforms, promotepatriotic movements and highlight economic bright spots and prospects, thusraising public consensus and confidence in the leadership and management of theParty and the State, and the cause of Doi Moi (Reform), the official said.      
   
He lauded the role by press agencies and journalistsin national construction and defence, especially in covering socio-economicrecovery and development, Party building, the fight against corruption, wastefulnessand other negative phenomena, the protection of the Party’s ideologicalfoundation, and the refutation of wrongful and hostile views.

Stressing the political-social-cultural significanceof this year’s press festival, Nghia said it offers an opportunity to honourrevolutionary press force and create an emulation environment for pressagencies and journalists’ associations, contributing to boosting political willand professional qualifications and ethics of journalists as well as the operationalefficiency of the sector.

This is also a chance for the press agencies to promote theirproducts, share experience and engage in exchanges with the public to meettheir higher information demand, he said.

Nghia asked all-level press associations tothoroughly grasp Directive No. 43-CT/TW dated April 8, 2020, by the PartyCentral Committee’s Secretariat on enhancing the Party’s leadership over theoperation of the Vietnam Journalists’ Association (VJA) in the new situation.

Following the opening ceremony, broadcast live onnational television and radio channels, Nghia and Vice State President Vo ThiAnh Xuan and representatives from ministries and agencies visited booths at thefestival.

Organisers also launched the 2023 press awards ondisseminating the thrift and effective use of energy, and open a photoexhibition.

The three-day event is co-chaired by the VJA and theHanoi People’s Committee in coordination with the Party Central Committee’sCommission for Information and Education, the Ministry of Information andCommunications, and the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.

The biggestfestival in the press circle brings together 63 journalists’ associations ofthe country's cities and provinces, and 60 central and local press agencies,with 87 booths displaying outstanding publications in 2022 and the firstquarter of this year. 

The organisers will present awards for the best Tet(Lunar New Year) magazine cover photo, the best news website design, and thebest TV and radio programmes, along with an award for organisations andindividuals with outstanding activities at the festival.

There will be a series of sidelines events likeseminars, workshops, exhibitions, a singing contest, a football tournament andart performances./.