The thesis topic of “Procedure of organizing and implementing the line of investigative articles in the Vietnamese editorial offices today” aims to systematize and develop the procedure
Trang 1ACADEMY OF JOURNALISM AND COMMUNICATION
SUMMARY OF PHD THESIS IN JOURNALISM
HANOI - 2019
Trang 2ACADEMY OF JOURNALISM AND COMMUNICATION
Supervisor: Assoc Prof PhD Do Thi Thu Hang
at hour date month year 2019
The PhD thesis can be found at:
National Library, Library of Academy
of Journalism and Communication - Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics
Trang 3LIST OF SCIENTIFIC WORKS PUBLISHED BY THE AUTHOR
RELATED TO THE TOPIC
1 Vu Van Tien (2018), Barriers to investigative reporters, published by
Hanoi National University of Education
1 Vu Van Tien (2016), “Pure mind, sharp pen to the career,” Journal of
Journalists, Issued in September, p.39
2 Vu Van Tien (2016), Don’t push the electronic newspaper into the
“posting in morning – reading in afternoon – removing inafternoon,” Journal of Journalists, Issue in September
3 Vu Van Tien (2015), Investigate and throw in journalism, Published
by People’s Public Security, Hanoi
4 Vu Van Tien (2015), Step into journalism, Published by Hanoi National
University of Education
5 Vu Van Tien (2013), “Some principles and professional skills in
investigating and writing articles under the letters of readers”,
Journal of Education and Society, Issue in August, p.31-33.
6 Vu Van Tien (2013), "Knowledge, methods, professional skills: three
factors that bring effective articles in the investigation process according to the readers’ order", Journal of Education and Social
Affairs, August issue, p.28-30, 33
Trang 41 Reasons for choosing the topic
In modern journalistic arguments, investigative journalism isrecognized as one of the most essential and effective tools for the journalism
to engage in direct struggle with the bad negative and imperfect things, for the
development of a society “Investigative journalism responds to the
transparent, objective public information, potential power to make a powerful impact on many aspects of society The investigative action is an integral part
of the general efforts of the journalism and the whole society in the fight against corruption, wastefulness, trade fraud, crime prevention” Mark Lee
Hunter et al., in “Story - Based Inquiry: A manual for Investigative
Journalists” (Provisional translation: "Investigation based on true story: A handbook for investigative journalists") has considered that the particularity
of investigative journalism is an intensive journalistic activity in which “theinformation is disclosed only when it ensures the rigor and perfection” andeven “after the information is authenticated and posted, the journalists are stillable to implement the extensive and intensive study [91] Because of thischaracteristic, the investigative journalism is often organized andimplemented in the form of projects with articles (many terms of publication)
Investigation has a great attraction, causing attention of the most ofreaders Many newspapers such as Tuoi Tre Newspaper, Thanh NienNewspaper, Lao Dong Newspaper, Ho Chi Minh City Law Newspaper, TienPhong Newspaper, Dan Tri Newspaper, etc have confirmed their prestige andlevel, thanking to the powerful investigation report series Thus, in thenewspapers, the investigative news, investigative reports are often placed incritical positions, as “pin” in the overall newspaper, paid a worthy positionand cared on presentation techniques (headline, chapeau, image ) Manyfamous newspapers are now launching news contests, investigative reports to
“invite” the good writers to work at their newspapers and to attract thereaders Many investigative articles, investigation reports have made the name
Trang 5of journalists, the affection of readers for the writer as well as the press.Therefore, so many editorial offices are very interested and facilitated thereporter to conduct a line of investigative articles and investigative reports.Many reporters, especially young reporters, want to try, experience and invest
a lot of energy in this categories
The questions in the theory and practice of investigative journalism inmost of newspapers in our country nowadays are: How does the procedure oforganizing and implementing the line of investigative articles affect thequality of investigative articles? How important is the development,organization and implementation of line of investigative articles inaccordance with the procedure developed by the editorial office – as abusiness principle of the editorial office? What theoretical and practical basisdoes the editorial office use for developing and managing the procedure oforganizing and implementing the line of investigative articles? What steps orphases need to be minimized in the procedure of organizing andimplementing the line of investigative articles? What are the basic conditionsfor the development and implementation of the procedure of organizing andimplementing the line of investigative articles in journalism agencies? Whatfactors affect the perfection/change of the procedure of organizing andimplementing the line of investigative articles in a Vietnamese press agencies
in the current period?
The thesis topic of “Procedure of organizing and implementing the
line of investigative articles in the Vietnamese editorial offices today”
aims to systematize and develop the procedure of organizing andimplementing the line of investigative articles, studying the practice of thismatter in the Vietnamese press agencies, contributing to answering thestudy questions mentioned above At the same time, the thesis aims atstudying the current situation of procedure of organizing and implementingthe line of investigative articles in editorial offices in our country today,thus proposing solutions for the procedure of organizing and implementing
Trang 6the line of investigative articles in Vietnamese editorial offices in generaland in editorial offices surveyed ones in particular.
2 Purposes and tasks of the topic
2.1 Purposes of study
The PhD thesis studies the theory and situation of the procedure oforganizing and implementing the line of investigative articles in Vietnameseeditorial offices, thereby proposing solutions and proposals on procedure oforganizing and implementing the line of investigative articles in Vietnameseeditorial offices in Vietnamese editorial offices today
2.2 Tasks of study
To achieve the purposes of study, the PhD thesis performs the 4 studytasks as follows:
Firstly, systematize the theoretical and practical issues in the procedure
of organizing and implementing the line of investigative articles of pressagencies
Secondly, analyze the status of organizing and implementing the series
of the editorial offices surveyed published in 2017
Thirdly, describe, analyze and evaluate the development,
implementation and monitor of the procedure of organizing and implementingthe line of investigative articles in editorial offices
Fourthly, propose solutions and recommendations on the procedure of
organizing and implementing the line of investigative articles in editorialoffices
3 Subject and scope of study
3.1 Subject of study
The study subjects of the PhD thesis topic: The issue of developing,implementing and supervising the implementation of the procedure oforganizing and implementing the line of investigative articles in Vietnameseeditorial offices today
3.2 Scope of study
Trang 7- Scope of space: In this topic, we limit the scope of study on the
procedure of organizing and implementing the line of investigative articles inVietnamese editorial offices today, with editorial offices, publishing 2 mainsessions: newspaper and electronic newspaper version Newspapers surveyed,including: Nhan Dan Newspaper, Hanoimoi Newspaper, Tuoi TreNewspaper, Ho Chi Minh City Law Newspaper, Lao Dong Newspaper, TienPhong Newspaper, Dan Tri Newspaper
- If it is well and flexibly implemented stages, the contents oforganization and implementation, it will increase the professionalism of theinvestigative journalism, thereby creating a foundation for managing the line
of investigative articles for press agencies
- A number of investigative journalists and press managers are notaware of the role of formulating and implementing the procedure oforganizing and implementing the investigative articles in the editorialoffices
4.2 Analytical framework
Trang 85 Theoretical basis and study methods
5.1.Theoretical basis
- Theory on journalism and journalism work
- Theory of investigative journalism
- Sociological theory of mass media
- Human rights approach
- Theory of management science
5.2 Study methods
5.2.1 Content analysis method
- Qualitative content analysis
+ Synthesize, analyze, systemize and generalize the theory as well as works
published in newspapers, journals and practical research works of authors related to
Contents of the procedure
Formulating, implementing, and monitoring the procedure
Group of organization contents
Group of implementation contents
Các giai
đo n ạn
c a ủa quy trình
Trang 9+ Using the method of analyzing the content of documents to find out the content,meaning, main ideas of the theoretical documents and previous research works related tothe organization and implementation of the investigative journalism in general andprocedure of organizing and implementing the line of investigative articles in particular,serve as a basis for comparing and evaluating survey results, finding scientific solutionsfor research issues The method of document research also allows PhD students toidentify and analyze the views and directions of the Communist Party of Vietnam, theVietnamese legal system related to investigative journalism in our country in the currentperiod
- Quantitative content analysis
This method is carried out by a set of tools for coding the content ofinvestigative articles in 7 newspapers surveyed (Nhan Dan Newspaper, HanoimoiNewspaper, Tuoi Tre Newspaper, Ho Chi Minh City Law Newspaper, Lao DongNewspaper, Tien Phong Newspaper, Dan Tri Newspaper) to statistics a line ofinvestigative articles in order to quantify the indicators of content, form, way ofexpressing This is the basis for the author to study, synthesize, draw comments,evaluate the successes and limitations, the effectiveness and contributions of thenewspapers in posting the line of investigative articles on 7 newspapers, survered in2017
5.2.2 Anket interview method
This method is used to survey generally the investigative journalism,investigative journalists and the organization and implementation of line ofinvestigative articles in the Vietnamese editorial offices today
Interviewees: Investigative journalists in Vietnamese editorial offices
Quantity: Number of votes issued is 200 Number of votes received, qualified touse is 193
5.2.3 In-depth interview
This method is used to research and identify the overview of investigativejournalism and organizing and implementing the line of investigative articlesVietnamese press agencies today, principles and experience in formulation andimplementation Currently, the issues posed and suggested renovating the procedure
of organizing and implementing the line of investigative articles Vietnamese press
Trang 105.2.4 Group discussion method
This method is used to research and identify the overview of investigativejournalism and procedure of organizing and implementing the line of investigativearticles in Vietnamese editorial offices, principles and experience in formulation andimplementation, issues given and suggestions for renewing procedure of organizingand implementing the line of investigative articles in the present press agencies Atthe same time, there is the analysis and evaluation of the quality and effectiveness ofthe line of investigative articles, as well as suggestions to the press agencies
Quantity: 02 groups of journalists, researchers, specialists in Hanoi and Ho ChiMinh City
5.2.5 Case study method
- Choose 7 editorial offices to survey the current status of line of investigative
articles: Nhan Dan Newspaper, Hanoimoi Newspaper, Tuoi Tre Newspaper, Ho Chi
Minh City Law Newspaper, Tien Phong Newspaper, Lao Dong Newspaper, Dan TriNewspaper We carried out a survey of 7 newspapers in terms of: fact finding, statisticsthe line of investigative articles in 2017, and the procedure of organization,implementation, in-depth interviews with leaders and investigative journalists In order
to ensure anonymity when analyzing the research data, we coded 7 separate newspapereditorial offices into editorial offices A, B, C, D, E, G, H according to the random order
- Criteria for selection of study samples: We select the typical newspapers of
investigative journalism representing the South - North regions, central - localauthorities, press representatives of industry, union and mass media
6 Theoretical and practical meanings of the topic
6.1 Theoretical meanings
If successful, the PhD thesis contributes to develop the theory of investigative
Trang 11journalism, in-depth organizational theory, the implementation of investigativejournalism projects in general, and the series of investigative journalism in theeditorial offices in particular.
Based on studying the scientific data on the current state of the procedure oforganizing and implementing the line of investigative articles in Vietnamese editorialoffices The topic proposes the new principles and solutions in theory ofdevelopment, implementation and supervision of the procedure of organizing andimplementing the line of investigative articles in editorial offices of our countrytoday, thus proposing steps and phases in the procedure of organizing andimplementing the line of investigative articles in Vietnamese editorial offices in thetrend of media convergence and multimedia today
6.2 Practical meanings
The topic is successful, it will be a valuable reference for investigatejournalists, journalism managers, especially Newspaper editorial board whenorganizing and implementing the line of investigative articles This is also a referencefor media journalism managers, lawyers, scientists and students
7 New contributions of the topic
- Develop the theory of investigative journalism, specifically propose aprocedure of 10-steps, 4 phases in the organization and implementation of the line ofinvestigative articles in Vietnamese editorial offices
- Provide survey data on the status of line of investigative articles and theprocedure of organizing and implementing the line of investigative articles ofeditorial offices of our country today
- Propose solutions and recommendations to develop, organize, implement,monitor, maintain or renovate the procedure of organizing and implementing the line
of investigative articles in editorial offices of our country today
Trang 12PROCEDURE OF ORGANIZING AND IMPLEMENTING THE LINE OF
INVESTIGATIVE ARTICLES IN EDITORIAL OFFICES
Researching overview of this issue in two directions: Researching the theoryand practice of investigative journalism and research direction on the creativeprocedure of investigative journalistic works and the procedure of organizing andimplementing the line of investigative articles, the author of the PhD thesis gives ageneral evaluation of the research works as follows:
Investigative journalism appeared quite early, is expanding rapidly worldwideand the importance of investigative journalism is increasingly asserted Investigativejournalism has not only stopped at the concepts, but also expanded into theory ofinvestigative journalism, from world press research to the fact that works in Vietnamhave also mentioned fundamental issues such as investigative journalism concept,investigative journalism operational methods and skills; role playing, collectingmaterials in investigative journalism activities; ethical issues, legal corridors related
to investigative journalists, steps to conduct the investigative articles
The overall research results are the process of searching and analyzing information
related to the topic " P rocedure of organizing and implementing the line of investigative articles in Vietnamese editorial offices today" to give the overview of the values that
previous works achieved, as well as the starting point to define research tasks and researchorientations for the PhD thesis
Based on the study of the above typical scientific works, it can be affirmed that
so far, there has not been any scientific work that clarifies the issue of the procedure oforganizing and implementing the line of investigative articles in Vietnamese editorialoffices today Based on the systematization of theory and analysis of practical factorsinfluencing on /affecting to procedure of organizing and implementing the line ofinvestigative articles in press agencies, the PhD thesis builds a theoretical frameworkfor research issues, which focus on clarifying the theory of procedure of organizingand implementing the line of investigative articles in the press agencies in our countrytoday
Chapter 1 THEORETICAL BASIS AND PRACTICAL BASIS MATTER OF PROCEDURE OF ORGANIZING AND IMPLEMENTING THE LINE OF INVESTIGATIVE ARTICLES IN EDITORIAL OFFICES
Trang 13Conducting research in chapter 1, the PhD thesis focuses on two major issues:Theoretical basis for procedure of organizing and implementing the line ofinvestigative articles in editorial offices and Practical basis for procedure oforganizing and implementing the line of investigative articles in editorial offices inwhich details include:
1.1 Theoretical basis for procedure of organizing and implementing the line of investigative articles in editorial offices
The research on the theoretical basis of the procedure of organizing andimplementing the line of investigative articles in editorial offices, the PhD thesisclarified the related research concepts such as investigation, investigative journalism,investigative articles, line of investigative articles (pages 39, 45, 46) In particular,
in terms of the concept of "line of investigative articles", the author argues that theline of investigative articles will include at least 2 investigative journalistic works andmay be accompanied with another categories, linked according to a specificcharacteristics on content, focus around an issue, a topic, an audience, and oftenappear on one or more issues in one or more consecutive issues of newspaper, maybefor a number of days or for weekly, monthly or yearly period These works reflect thefacts, phenomena, people in "problematic situations", the information has a lot ofcontradictions, many contradictions, through analysis, explanation, evidence,journalists clarifying the causes, results or development directions of that incidents,phenomena and persons
Regarding the concept of editorial offices, and subjects participating in the
investigation procedure, the PhD thesis has clarified that the editorial office is
another way of the press agency According to Article 16 of the Press Law 2016,press agencies are the mouthpiece of agencies and organizations prescribed in Article
14 of this Law, implementing one or some types of press, having one or several press
products (print, radio, television and electronic press) Subjects participating in the
investigative journalism procedure include:
(1).Authors, groups of authors of investigative journalistic works;
(2) Editorial board, especially the head of the editorial board of a newspaper /television / radio station;
(3) The general secretary of the editorial office and the editorial office
Trang 14(6) Legal advice and professional consultancy department
Besides, the PhD thesis also clarified the procedure of organizing and
implementing the line of investigative articles Accordingly, the procedure of
organizing and implementing the line of investigative articles in the editorial offices
is an official and compulsory regulation of the Editorial Board of the the editorialoffice about the corresponding steps, stages, jobs and job position; order andcoordination between subjects when organizing and implementing the line ofinvestigative articles in order to meet the objectives of the editorial offices Inessence, this is the procedure of organizing and implementing the investigativeprojects with the output of the line of investigative articles published to the public Inaddition, in this content, the PhD thesis also clarifies related issues such as content,method, steps in the procedure of organizing and implementing the line ofinvestigative articles
In addition, in order to clarify issues related to the theoretical basis of theresearch issue, the PhD thesis has pointed out the following issues: The role ofinvestigative journalism, the line of investigative articles and the procedure oforganizing and implementing the line of investigative articles; Content, issues offormulating, implementing, and monitoring the procedure of organizing andimplementing the line of investigative articles; Principles and requirements forprocedure of organizing and implementing the line of investigative articles in theeditorial offices These are all core concepts and issues for the PhD thesis to conduct
a survey of the next steps
1.2 Practical basis of the procedure of organizing and implementing the line of investigative articles in editorial offices
Researching on the practical basis of the procedure of organizing andimplementing the line of investigative articles in editorial offices, the PhD thesis haspointed out the main issues such as: Factors affecting the procedure of organizing and
Trang 15implementing the line of investigative articles in editorial offices; Investigativejournalism in the world; Investigative journalism in Vietnam.
Among the factors affecting the procedure of organizing and implementing the line of investigative articles in editorial offices, the PhD thesis has clearly defined the
contents such as: The Party's views and guidelines related to investigative journalism ;
Vietnam's legal system related to investigative journalism; Political, economic and social factors; Strategy, awareness, capacity, mechanism and resources of the editorial offices.
These are important factors for the PhD thesis to organize the survey in the followingsections
In addition, under this part, the thesis also shows the practical basis of editorialoffices in Vietnam and the world These contents have strengthened good bases forthe thesis to survey and evaluate the research results more favorable
Sub-conclusion of chapter 1
In summary, in chapter 1, in order to implement well the research case, thePhD thesis presented the theoretical and practical basis of the research issue Inparticular, on the theoretical basis, the PhD thesis has explored the basic theoreticalsystems directly related to the research topic, clarified the content, the scope of somebasic concepts as well as the way of using the concept in research issue At the sametime, the PhD thesis considers the role of investigative journalism in social life aswell as the role of the procedure of organizing and implementing the line ofinvestigative articles in editorial offices, as well as the requirements in the procedure
of organizing and implementing the line of investigative articles in all aspects is toprovide basic knowledge about the Party's views and guilines, the legal systemrelated to the press
Practical basis for raising and solving practical issues of the procedure oforganizing and implementing the line of investigative articles in present Vietnamesepress agencies Factors affecting the procedure of organizing and implementing theline of investigative articles include: the legal undertakings and policies of the Partyand the State on investigative journalism, the legal system related to the investigativejournalism (Press Law, Civil Law, Criminal Law, Economic Law, etc.); Theappearance of investigative journalism in the world as well as in Vietnam
Trang 16The above theoretical and practice basis requires a specific, detailed andcomplete procedure of organizing and implementing the line of investigative articlesthat will support and create a frame for the investigative journalists to implementtasks more conveniently to minimize operational difficulties On the other hand, theseare the basis for conducting research and analyzing survey data on the actual situation
of posting the line of investigative articles, the current status of the procedure oforganization and implementation and withdrawing conclusions, proposing solutionsfor research issues given in the next chapters
Chapter 2 CURRENT STATUS OF LINE OF INVESTIGATIVE ARTICLES
IN VIETNAMESE EDITORIAL OFFICES TODAY
Conducting research in chapter 2, the PhD thesis focuses on four major issues:
Introduction of newspapers surveyed; Contents of the line of investigative articles; Methods for posting the line of investigative articles; Evaluating the status of organizing and implementing the line of investigative articles according to the survey field.
2.1 Giới thiệu các tờ báo thuộc diện khảo sát Introducing the newspapers surveyed
In this part, the PhD thesis has introduced the following contents: the year ofestablishment, organizational structure, number of publications, pages, categories,issues, and generalizing the strengths of conducting the line of investigative articles
of Nhan Dan Newspaper, Hanoimoi Newspaper, Tuoi Tre Newspaper, Ho Chi MinhCity Law Newspaper, Tien Phong Newspaper, Dan Tri Newspaper
2.2 Introducing the newspapers surveyed
Among the 5 basic content groups of the investigative journalism, the line ofinvestigative articles in 7 newspapers mentioned the most about the topic of
investigating social-life crimes Anti-corruption investigations and investigations of economic crimes and trade frauds are similar rate The lowest rate belongs to the
content of investigating historical secrets or important figures of public interest.
Regarding the theme and topic of the line of investigative articles (section 2.2.1), thePhD thesis has specific evidence
Table 2.1: Comparison of themes/ topics of the line of investigative articles among 7 newspapers (%)