The Development of the Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee’s Leadership Thinking on Journalism (1982 - 1988) (Through Directive No. 17/CT-TU (1982) and Resolution No. 04-NQ/TU (1988))

Abstract

The period from 1982 to 1988 marked a critical stage in the development of the Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee’s leadership thinking on journalism, as reflected in two key documents: Directive No. 17/CT-TU (1982) and Resolution No. 04-NQ/TU (1988). This study employs a historical-discursive analysis to elucidate the evolution in the City Party Committee’s perceptions and methods of leadership in the field of journalism—specifically, the shift from an administrative, centrally subsidized model to one based on political orientation, dialogue, and feedback, consistent with the 6th National Party Congress’s principle that “Renovation must begin with the renovation of thinking”. The findings indicate that this development is manifested in three major dimensions: renewal in political-ideological orientation and media content; reform of leadership and management mechanisms; and innovations in journalistic personnel work and leadership culture. These transformations contributed to shaping a more democratic and flexible leadership approach, thereby enhancing effectiveness and ensuring the alignment between the Party’s ideological orientation and the promotion of journalistic initiative, creativity, and social responsibility. Drawing from the practical experience of the Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee, the study highlights three notable values: the creative application of Marxism-Leninism and Ho Chi Minh’s thought on revolutionary journalism; the political–practical foundation for the city’s journalistic development during the Đổi Mới period; and the important contributions to the refinement of the Party’s methods of journalism leadership in subsequent years.