Brian Jeffrey
New Government Structure for Media and Technology
The Deputy Prime Minister, Nguyen Hoa Binh, has approved Plan 141, aiming to reorganize and streamline the government framework.
As part of this initiative, the Ministry of Information and Communications (MIC) will merge with the Ministry of Science and Technology (MST) to create a unified ministry responsible for managing various domains currently overseen by both ministries.
Benefits of the Merger
Experts suggest that combining technology with media and journalism will foster growth and innovation in journalism, particularly in light of rapid technological changes.
This consolidation is expected to enhance the integration of technology into journalism processes, optimizing content creation and reader engagement through advanced tools like artificial intelligence (AI), Big Data, and cloud computing. These technologies will aid in analyzing audience behavior and improving overall user experience.
Additionally, news outlets will gain direct access to state-of-the-art technology, enabling them to explore innovative formats, including multimedia, virtual reality, and interactive online features.
Strengthening Information Control
Merging the management of journalism and technology will also create more effective systems for controlling information, reducing the spread of misinformation, and protecting readers’ rights.
Even traditional media formats, such as radio and television, must adapt to digital frameworks. The development of these sectors relies on robust infrastructures like fiber optics, satellites, and the internet. Close integration with digital transformation is essential for their success.
Adapting to a Digital Environment
The merging of these ministries arises from the urgent need to keep pace with the evolving digital media landscape. This integration not only aims to optimize resources but also to establish a solid groundwork for the growth of journalism and media while safeguarding national information integrity online.
As nearly all press organizations now function in a digital context, compliance management heavily depends on advanced digital technologies.
Challenges and Opportunities
In today’s digital age, anyone can act as a journalist via social media and online platforms, which presents both challenges and opportunities for media oversight. For instance, cross-border social networks have a vast presence in Vietnam and can threaten information security and political stability if not effectively managed.
Experts argue that employing technology can facilitate stringent controls on media content without the need for extensive monitoring teams.
For instance, platforms like Facebook handle massive amounts of content with minimal supervision, while TikTok uses algorithms and AI for content regulation, showcasing that technology can enhance efficiency and reduce resource requirements.
Impact of Digital Technology
The rapid advancement of digital technology is radically transforming how information is generated, shared, and consumed. As digital channels become more preferred, audiences are shifting their focus from traditional media like print and broadcast to electronic platforms and mobile applications.
This transition poses significant challenges, compelling media agencies to innovate, adopt new technologies, create multimedia content, and prioritize user engagement.
Overall, safeguarding ideological standards and combating harmful information necessitates strong support from digital infrastructure and technology. Thus, separating these elements from digital media could hinder effective online information management and impede the progress of journalism and media operations.
