In the era of the Fourth Industrial Revolution and heightened information competition, press agencies are no longer expected to simply produce high-quality content—they are now required to create immersive and innovative experiences for their readers through the application of digital technologies. This insight was shared by Associate Professor and Ph.D. Nguyen Thanh Loi, Editor-in-Chief of the Economic and Urban Newspaper, during the workshop “Application of Artificial Intelligence in Managing Smart Newsrooms,” held on May 15 in Hanoi.
The digital transformation of journalism is not merely about adopting new tools—it involves integrating data and digital technology into every facet of a news organization’s operations. From management to content production, publication, distribution, and monetization, this transformation aims to create new products, generate opportunities, and deliver greater value to audiences. As Dr. Nguyen Thanh Loi stated, this shift is no longer optional but an inevitable path for all media outlets.
Press Challenges in Vietnam’s Digital Landscape
Today, press agencies in Vietnam, including Kinh te & Do thi, face numerous challenges amid their development journey. These include increasing risks of large-scale cyberattacks, the influence of unverified or false information spreading on social media, and the growing demand for personalized information delivery. The media environment has become intensely competitive, driven by the rapid expansion of multimedia journalism and social platforms like websites and social networks.
This evolving landscape pushes traditional news outlets to transform into multimedia agencies. The move from print to digital is no longer a matter of preference but a survival necessity. In particular, modern readers demand fast and accurate news updates, compelling newsrooms to adopt advanced technologies and rethink their organizational structures. Media agencies must innovate continually to keep pace with global trends and respond effectively to ever-growing political and social demands.
A Strategic Approach to Digital Journalism
To respond to these trends, Kinh te & Do thi has proactively implemented a Digital Transformation Strategy for Journalism to 2025, with a long-term vision extending to 2030. The organization closely follows the Journalism Digital Transformation Index and city-level directives on digital innovation. As a result, the newspaper has successfully developed and launched a converged newsroom, broadening channels for reader interaction and enhancing content delivery.
This transformation marks a pivotal step in aligning traditional journalism with modern digital practices. Converged newsrooms allow teams to collaborate more efficiently across platforms—print, digital, video, and social—bringing a unified voice and improved engagement with the public.
The Role of AI in Smart Newsrooms
Vice President of the Vietnam Journalists Association, Nguyen Duc Loi, emphasized at the workshop that this forum plays a crucial role in promoting digital transformation within journalism and media, especially amid the radical changes ushered in by the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
According to Mr. Nguyen Duc Loi, the newsroom of today is no longer a static physical space—it is a flexible digital platform. Every stage of the journalistic process, from data gathering and content creation to editing and dissemination, is being digitized, automated, and optimized. Emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), big data, cloud computing, and blockchain are at the core of this evolution.
AI, in particular, is not seen as a threat to journalists but as a powerful ally. It enables them to work faster, more accurately, and with greater depth. AI-powered tools can help identify trends, verify facts, personalize content for different audiences, and even suggest headlines or story angles based on reader engagement.
However, Mr. Nguyen Duc Loi cautioned that while technology offers immense advantages, ethical considerations must remain at the forefront. “Technology is just a tool,” he stressed. “It is humans who decide how AI is used, how it is managed and guided, and ultimately how it serves the interests of society and the community.”
Striking a Balance Between Technology and Ethics
The growing reliance on AI and other digital tools in journalism does not eliminate the role of human judgment and responsibility. Ethical journalism remains the backbone of public trust. Journalists and editors must ensure that these technologies are used transparently and responsibly, upholding values such as accuracy, impartiality, and integrity.
In conclusion, the digital transformation of journalism is reshaping the entire media landscape. Agencies that embrace innovation while upholding professional ethics will thrive in the age of Industry 4.0. The Vietnamese press is already taking bold steps in this direction, with initiatives like the smart newsroom model serving as a guiding example. By leveraging technology to enhance—not replace—human creativity and insight, journalism can continue to serve as a pillar of informed and democratic societies.