Selected from a highly competitive field of more than 3,000 applicants, Nguyen Tran Mai Chi and Vo Thuc Phuong will be Vietnam’s first representatives to attend Future News Worldwide (FNW) 2019. Joining 100 delegates from 53 countries from 15–17 July, these student journalists will get the latest insights from current media leaders and disruptors while building their own international connections.
Future News Worldwide was developed by the British Council in partnership with leading news and digital media organisations to identify, train and connect the next generation of top international journalists. Held at the Thomson Reuters headquarters in London, delegates will gain rare access to world-leading media professionals, with confirmed speakers including:
- Christina Lamb, Sunday Times Chief Foreign Correspondent
- Sreenivasan Jain, New Delhi Television Limited Managing Editor
- Sonny Swe, co-founder of the Myanmar Times and star of the TED talk ‘Talking to Spiders in Jail’.
As the media itself is increasingly the subject of news headlines, the event presents a timely opportunity to focus on the universal values of objectivity, balance and evidence that underpin the profession. Topics under the lens will include media freedom and responsibility, truth and transparency, empowering audiences and challenging cynicism.
After the call for FNW application in Vietnam in March 2019, the British Council received 36 applications from Vietnamese candidates. After a thorough assessment and detailed discussion, Mai Chi and Thuc Phuong were chosen to represent Vietnam. These two promising young journalists are expected to have an unforgettable experience and will become ambassadors to inspire other young potential student journalists to follow their passion in the future.
Mai Chi said: ‘First of all, I would love to show my great appreciation to the British Council to giving me this once-in-a-lifetime experience. Future News Worldwide 2019 is absolutely a precious opportunity for Thuc Phuong and me. Being two of 100 delegates from 53 countries all over the world will help us deepen our understandings about current journalism field, as well as improve our soft skills (writing, article editing, critical thinking, teamwork). This valuable experience will be a great foundation for us to create positive impacts and benefit our community in the future.'
Chi also shared: ‘The media is showing its great role and impact on influencing audience’s way of thinking and behaviours on media channels. Thus, ‘challenging cynicism’ is the topic I am really interested in this year conference, especially in the middle of The Digital Era.’
Mark Wood, former Editor-in-Chief of Reuters and Chair of the Future News Advisory Board, said: 'Future News Worldwide attracts some of the world's most promising young journalists. The programme promotes the importance of free media and the key tenets of responsible journalism. It gives the participants the chance to meet outstanding media figures, visit famous newsrooms and learn research, editing and production skills in a series of workshops. A lively alumni network demonstrates how much those who took part in previous events truly value the experience and put it to work in their professional lives.'
The event Hashtag is #FNW19