TTLA: Social commentary on online newspapers

INFORMATION ABOUT THE DOCTORAL THESIS

1. Full name of doctoral candidate: Tran Xuan Than

2. Gender: Male

3. Date of birth: May 12, 1980

4. Place of birth: Ha Nam

5. Decision No. 3676/QD-SDH, dated October 28, 2009, of the Director of Hanoi National University, recognizing the doctoral student.

6. Changes in the training process: Changes to research topics according to Decision No. 429/QD-SDH, dated April 19, 2011, of the Rector of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities.

7. Thesis title:Social commentary in online newspapers.

8. Major: Journalism Code: 62.32.01.01

9. Scientific supervisor:Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Thi Minh Thai

10. Summary of the new findings of the thesis:

- Conduct systematic research and surveys on the theoretical aspects of social critique and social critique in journalism. From this, supplement and develop the theory of social critique, social critique in journalism, and theorize social critique in online journalism.

- This study examines the practical application of social critique in online newspapers (including Nhan Dan Online, VietNamNet, Thanh Nien Online, and VnExpress) through specific case studies (online articles on topics such as: Article 4 of the 2013 draft Constitution, the Ministry of Transport's plan for the Long Bien Bridge, regulations on penalties for vehicles without proper ownership documents, Vietnam hosting ASIAD 18, and the proposal for 34 trillion VND to reform textbooks) to draw general conclusions about the current state of social critique in online newspapers in Vietnam. Based on this situation, the thesis identifies key issues facing social critique in online newspapers.

- Research demonstrates a correlation and influence between the specific characteristics of online journalism and social commentary on pressing current events.

- This dissertation develops a model for the social critique process in online newspapers, the principles of social critique in online newspapers, and the basic conditions for improving the quality and effectiveness of social critique in online newspapers in Vietnam. Based on this, the dissertation proposes several specific solutions for online newspaper editorial offices, journalists, relevant agencies, and the public... to effectively conduct social critique in online newspapers.

Theoretical Significance: - Clarifying the theory and practice of social critique in print and online media, providing a scientific basis for renewing the understanding of the role and function of social critique in online media. The research points out the relationship and influence between the specific characteristics of online media and social critique in online media on pressing current issues of life. It researches and develops a theoretical system for social critique, theorizing social critique in online media through influencing factors, quality criteria, implementation conditions, and solutions to improve the quality of social critique in online media in Vietnam.

Practical significance: This dissertation can be a valuable reference source for journalists, politicians, social activists, as well as media leaders and managers in Vietnam, in promoting the strengths and overcoming the weaknesses of social critique in online newspapers to contribute to social development. At the same time, the dissertation can serve as a reference for undergraduate and graduate students in journalism and communication, and anyone interested in the theoretical and practical issues of journalism, social critique in journalism in general, and social critique in online newspapers in Vietnam in particular.

11. Practical applications:

Application in the practice of social critique in online newspapers in Vietnam.

12. Directions for further research:

Critique of economic policies in online newspapers.

13. Published works related to the dissertation:

1) Tran Xuan Than (2009), “Unique features in the critical culture of journalism”, Culture and Arts Magazine (302), pp. 77-82.

2) Tran Xuan Than (2012), “Enhancing the policy critique power of Vietnamese press”, Journal of Economics and Forecasting (12), pp.2-5.

3) Tran Xuan Than (2014), “The power of social critique of online newspapers on the issue of preserving Long Bien Bridge”, Proceedings of the Conference of Young Scientists and Postgraduate Students 2013-2014, National University of Hanoi Publishing House, Hanoi, pp. 57-71.

4) Tran Xuan Than (2014), “Social criticism on online newspapers: Beware of the duality of online media”, Journalist Magazine (77), pp. 46-48.

5) Tran Xuan Than (2014), “Policy critique on online newspapers: Some issues on process and sources of information”, Journalist Magazine (78), pp. 57-59.

INFORMATION ON DOCTORAL THESIS

1.Full name: Tran Xuan Than 2. Sex: Male

3. Date of birth: May 12, 1980 4. Place of birth: Ha Nam province
5. Admission decision number: 3676/QD-SĐH, date October 28, 2009 of Rector of University of Social Sciences and Humanities, National University of Hanoi, Vietnam.

6. Changes in academic process: Change the name of office thesis title, by decision number 429/QD-SDH, dated April 19, 2011 of Rector of University of Social Sciences and Humanities, National University of Hanoi, Vietnam.

7. Official thesis title: Social criticism on online newspaper.

8. Major: Journalism Code: 62.32.01.01

9. Supervisors: Assoc Prof.Dr. Nguyen Thi Minh Thai

10. Summary of the new findings of the thesis:

- Conduct research and survey in a synchronized system based on social criticism theory and social criticism on newspapers. Therefore, subplement and develop theory on social criticism and social criticism on newspapers, as well as build up social criticism theory on online newspapers.

- Conduct survey on social criticism on leading online newspapers (surveyed online newspapers including Nhan Dan (People's) online version, VietNamNet, Thanh Nien (Youth) online version and VnExpress) through specific case study (articles of online newspapers with the main content focusing on Article 4 of 2013 draft constitution, Transport Ministry's plan on Long Bien bridge, regulation on punishment of vehicle ownership, Vietnam's hosting of ASIAD 18, Proposal on 34,000 billion to compile new school textbook) in order to make overall evaluation on real situations of social criticism on Vietnam's online newspapers. From this reality, thesis points out several emerging issues on social criticism on online newspapers.

- Research proves that there's a relationship that makes impact on online newspaper and social criticism on online media and creates a close link between media and urgent matters in daily life.

- Thesis aims to build up a process for social critism on online newspapers and form a social critism principle on online newspapers in order to create favorable conditions for better quality and effectiveness of social critism on online newspapers in Vietnam. Thesis also proposes a number of specific measures for editorial division (news room) of online newspapers – reporters, editors – as well as funcational agencies and the public so that social criticism on online newspapers proves more effective.

In terms of theory: Clarify theoretical and practical terms in social criticism on online newspapers and other media platforms, thus creating scientific basis for ideological changes and better quality of social criticism on online newspapers.

Find out a relationship that makes impact on online newspaper and social criticism on online media and create a close link between media and urgent matters in daily life.

Study and build up a theoretical system on social critism on online newspapers via come factors that make a strong impact on criteria and quality of social critism on online newspapers in Vietnam.

In practical terms:

Thesis may become valuable document for reference, epecially for those who are working in the fields of journalism, politics and society, as well as editor-in-chiefs and media managers in Vietnam so that they can maintain advantages and minimize disadvantages of social criticism on online newspapers, thus contributing more to social development process. In addition, the thesis may be considered as a valuable source of reference materials for students at jounalism-communication colleges and universities, and those who are interested in theoretical and practical matters related to media, social criticism on media in general and on online newspapers in Vietnam in particular.

11. Practical applicability:

Practical application of social criticism on online newspaper in Vietnam.

12. Further research directions:

Criticism the economic policies on online newspaper.

13. Thesis-related publications:

1) Tran Xuan Than (2009), “The unique in criticism culture of media”, Arts and Culture Magazine (302), pp.77-82.

2) Tran Xuan Than (2012), “Advanced power of policy criticism on the Vietnam press”, Economic and forecast Magazine (12), pp.2-5.

3) Tran Xuan Than (2014), “The power of social criticism of online newspaper with conservation issues Long Bien Bridge”, Scientific Conference Proceedings young staff, graduate students, Vietnam National University, Hanoi, pp.57-71.

4) Tran Xuan Than (2014), “Social criticism on online newspaper: Wary of the duality of online media”, Journalists Magazine (77), pp.46-48.

5) Tran Xuan Than (2014), “Criticism of policies on online newspaper: Some issues about the process and sources”, Journalists Magazine (78), pp.57-59.