As local governments have joined hand with residents in their locales to combat the COVID-19 pandemic, the role of the media has become more crucial than ever, both in providing accurate information and keeping the public informed.

Journalists were considered as frontline workers in the fight against the pandemic as they were making their best efforts to bring timely and valuable news on the pandemic to the public.

To do that, journalists and press agencies have constantly innovated and been flexible in deploying, accessing, collecting and processing information.

A journalistic work must go through many stages and bee carefully performed, censored and presented before being published.

Adaptability and safety

In the waves of COVID-19 in 2021, many media agencies citywide have well promoted their role in publicity work.

Press agencies citywide and dozens of central press agencies based in the city simultaneously reported and updated the situation and developments of the pandemic.

In particular, when Da Nang imposed city-wide stay-at-home order in August 2021, press agencies continuously updated and reported on the number of cases, food supply and testing activities, and human affection in blockade areas.

Also, many press agencies promptly pointed out shortcomings in the city’s pandemic prevention and control such as the problem of distance when conducting coronavirus testing for in large numbers, the slow supply of essentials to residents in blockaded areas, and travel permits.

From the information channel reflected by the press agencies, the municipal leaders promptly adjusted to suit the actual situation.

In order to promptly lead and direct the pandemic prevention and control work, at 4:00pm every day, the city's Steering Committee for COVID-19 Prevention and Control organised a meeting with relevant agencies to issue policies and take measures quickly according to the developments of the pandemic.

Right from the early days of COVID-19 outbreak, Da Nang Newspaper spent a lot of time widely publicising the city’s guidelines and policies, and updating hourly the developments of the pandemic in the city.

The newspaper’s editors proactively established a team of COVID-19 reporters, and created more columns to publish long-term articles on its publications.

Meanwhile, both Vietnamese and English online versions of the newspaper daily published dozens of news, articles, clips and photo series which provided accurate and timely information about the pandemic to readers at both home and abroad.

Frontliners at ‘COVID-19’ hotspots

Sharing about the vital role of the press agencies in the COVID-19 fight, journalist Nguyen Van Son, who is Deputy Director of the Vietnam News Agency for the Central Viet Nam and Central Highlands regions, said as the city’s guidelines on pandemic prevention and control were still incomplete and were constantly updated depending on the actual situation, reporters still had to present at COVID-19 hotspots as soon and promptly as possible.

All reporters did their utmost to well perform their assigned tasks in tandem with ensuring safety amid COVID-19 crisis.

Despite the complicated developments of COVID-19, a lot of unique and attractive journalistic works were provided to readers.

Vice Chairwoman of the municipal People's Committee Ngo Thi Kim Yen emphasised that press activities in the city have had strong changes in thinking and problem expression, in line with the requirements of reality. The team of journalists in Da Nang has always accompanied with the municipal government in widely publicising the city’s guidelines and policies. Many journalistic works have vividly reflected the city's rapid changes, serving the local political mission.

“Particularly, in light of the complicated developments of COVID-19, reporters citywide always were present in COVID-19 hotspots to promptly bring timely and valuable news on the pandemic to readers. The press agencies actively rejected false and inaccurate information, contributing to shaping public opinion at that very special time" noted Mrs. Yen.

Reporting by PHAN CHUNG - Translating by M.DUNG