PM praises media, journalists at VN’s first national press awards

(28-08-2007)

Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung congratulate jounalists who won national press awards. —— VNA/VNS Photo Tung Lam

HA NOI — The first national press awards were held in Ha Noi yesterday in recognition of the achievements of Vietnamese journalists and the role the media has played in the country’s development.

Three first prizes, 11 second prizes and 19 third prizes were presented to journalists and media groups for their commitment to covering current affairs in 2006.

"Vietnamese mass media has brought into full play its revolutionary tradition in the past 82 years and become one of the driving forces behind the country’s development," said Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung, congratulating the awarding-winning journalists.

"The State, the Government, the Party and the public all recognise the crucial role performed by the mass media," he said.

Last year was a busy year - politically and socially - and the media had its hands full keeping up with developments in the country.

"The Vietnamese mass media is more and more developed. It has helped to improve friendly relations with other countries, promote Viet Nam’s image abroad, and has helped to thwart the activities of the country’s enemies," said Dung.

There were 955 nominations from 171 press organisations for awards - 88 of which came from non-media professionals.

The 48 winning stories, one of which came from an amateur journalist, covered the whole media spectrum - print, television, radio, and electronic media.

"The winning stories are all outstanding. They represent the great effort made by journalists to record social developments in the country, the fight against corruption and the drive to build a better nation," said Dinh The Huynh, editor-in-chief of the Nhan Dan (People) newspaper, who is also the chairman of the Viet Nam Journalists Association.

First prize was jointly awarded to four journalists on Quan doi Nhan dan (People’s Army) newspaper for an article that describe the insidious nature of hostile western influences. The four winning journalists were Ho Quang Loi, Le Phuc Nguyen, Ha Manh Tuong and Nguyen Quang Thong.

Tran Kham, Bui Trung Chinh and Pham Thi Bang Tam from the Nhan Dan newspaper also received a first prize for a series of articles on the daily lives of factory workers.

Another first prize was also awarded to director Tran Cam of Viet Nam Television for a documentary entitled "Flower Of Iron".

"I feel very happy today to receive this first-ever award," said Cam.

"The mechanic Nguyen Dang Cuong [the main character in the documentary who was recognised for his creative work in metallurgy] is a beautiful flower of the country and our responsibility as journalists is to honour such flowers."

The Vietnam News Agency won a second prize for a picture set named "Australian girl performing Cheo [Viet Nam’s Traditional Opera]" by Nguyen Trong Chinh from Viet Nam Pictorial Review, and two third prizes.

"It is hoped the national press awards will help raise media standards in the country," said the Prime Minister.

"In time to come, the Party Central Committee’s Publicity and Education Commission and relevant authorities must ... help press organisations and journalists fully understand their social responsibilities ... and work with them to improve their professional standards," he said.

"The award’s board needs to encourage journalists to be enthusiastic and creative in order to produce their very best work."

Party Central Committee Secretary and Head of the Publicity and Education Commission To Huy Rua and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education and Training Nguyen Thien Nhan also attended the ceremony. — VNS