Party General Secretary a close, profound teacher of journalists

Domestic and international media agencies these days are running stories on the passing and career of Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong, who also left meaningful experiences and lessons for the journalists exclusively assigned to cover his activities.

NA Chairman Nguyen Phu Trong grants the Party and State’s Ho Chi Minh Order to the VNA at the ceremony marking the agency’s 65th founding anniversary (September 15, 1945 - 2010)

In her article, Deputy General Director of the Vietnam News Agency (VNA) Nguyen Su, who used to do the work during the time Trong served as the National Assembly (NA) Chairman and later the Party General Secretary, recounted that she was one of those who covered the leader’s visits to all the 63 provinces and cities nationwide as well as many countries around the world.

She still remembers her interview with then NA Chairman Trong on the occasion of the Lunar New Year in 2008, when he had held this position for more than a year. That was also the transitional point of time between two parliamentary terms, the 11th and 12th tenures, with various important works to be done.

His simple but also clear and profound words helped a young reporter like her thoroughly understand and fully and precisely report the ideas, wishes, and determination of the leader of the supreme organ of State power and the highest representative body of the people, Su noted.

In the interview, Chairman Trong said he was part of the people and came from the people, so he greatly respected and listened to opinions of all, from the elderly to children and women. Experiences gained from the reality and opinions and sentiments from the people were an endless source for him.

His biggest wish was to reform the NA’s organisation and working methodology in an increasingly qualitative and efficient manner that substantively brought into play democracy and promoted the parliament’s activities, according to the VNA official.

In whatever position, NA Chairman or Party General Secretary, he spent much time visiting localities, even disadvantaged and ethnic minority areas, to learn about the reality and further understand the people so as to make right decisions matching the people’s wishes. During his trips to other countries, he often visited their localities and new development models to learn good experiences.

To a journalist like Su, the leader’s words and actions became the guideline for work, she said, noting it is a fact that the quality articles receiving good response from the public are those based on the reality and the people. The maturity of a journalist is also driven by the practice of modesty and an inquiring mind.

Su added that working for nearly 30 years at the Hoc tap (Learning) magazine, now the Communist Review, and also a keen and learned columnist, Trong always gave special attention to information and journalism affairs, including exclusive reporters covering his activities, and created favourable conditions for them to fulfill their duty.

Journalists like Tri Dung of the VNA, Chu Tuan and Le Tuan of the Vietnam Television (VTV), or Trung Hung and Duc Thanh of the Hanoi Television (HTV) were all grateful to the Party General Secretary for giving them time to move and record his important moments.

During meetings or working sessions, he also reserved some rare minutes of break to come to the end of conference halls to talk to reporters in a friendly and witty manner. This was also how he suggested the contents reporters should cover.

The way the Party chief addressed and talked was always concise, logical and also plain and understandable, which was conducive for journalist to report precisely. He also spent time editing and commenting on some important articles and interviews to ensure the journalistic language, Su went on.

The VNA Deputy General Director recalled that meeting people in different localities, the Party General Secretary enquired after the elderly and held small children in his arms like his close relatives. He often introduced himself as a person born and grew up in a rural suburb of Hanoi while sharing stories about himself and his family like many others. His simple storytelling style made all people joyful.

In every place he came to, he left strong impressions of his plain and cordial style, Su continued, noting that maybe the love and respect for the people nurtured the mettle of a true and humanistic leader who was also extremely resolute in the combat against corruption and other negative phenomena along with the Party building and rectification.

Such plainness and steadfastness also followed him in trips to many countries worldwide. When standing shoulder to shoulder with leaders of other countries, regardless how big those countries are, and in any circumstances, ensuring national interests was always his ultimate goal.

Therefore, people nationwide and international friends are all grieved at the passing of a genuine communist with wisdom, dignity, and mettle - Nguyen Phu Trong, according to Su./.

VNA