Tatler’s picks: 6 books that inspire and illuminate the path to journalism

Rather than lamenting the difficulties faced by modern journalism, its competition with social media, commercial pressures, and race for clicks, Haagerup presents a compelling vision for change. Constructive journalism, he suggests, does not dilute critical thinking. Instead, it restores balance, encouraging reporting that is fair, deeply considered, and rooted in public service. Journalism, in his view, should not merely expose problems but offer potential solutions. His philosophy, summarised in the phrase “write to unite, not divide”, has struck a chord in newsrooms across the globe, reminding us that journalism can play a role in nurturing stronger, healthier communities.

This constructive approach feels all the more necessary in the wake of a global pandemic, where optimism and connection are in high demand. It also echoes the founding spirit of Vietnamese revolutionary journalism: to walk alongside the nation in building a better future.

An insightful starting point for aspiring journalists is Newsmakers: Artificial Intelligence and the Future of Journalism by François Marconi, an AI specialist formerly with the Wall Street Journal and the Associated Press.

In 216 pages of accessible yet thought-provoking content, Marconi delves into how artificial intelligence has become a powerful ally in the newsroom. From automating financial reports and parsing vast data sets to algorithmic editing and personalised content delivery, AI is transforming how stories are told. These innovations promise greater efficiency, yet they do not diminish the value of human creativity, ethical judgment, and editorial rigour.

The book concludes with a timely reminder: artificial intelligence does not replace journalists, it complements them. By taking over routine tasks, it frees up 20 to 60 per cent of editorial time, allowing reporters to invest in deeper investigations and more human-centred storytelling. At the same time, Marconi stresses the crucial role of ethics and oversight. Technology, he cautions, is only as valuable as its transparency, accountability, and the people responsible for its use.

As Vietnam’s revolutionary press marks its centenary, this work offers a fitting response. Where the pen once fought for national liberation, it can now collaborate with AI to free up information, combat misinformation, rebuild public trust, and lay the groundwork for a press that is both modern and credible, one that earns public confidence through precision and purpose.

Beyond News: The Future of Journalism by Mitchell Stephens—journalism professor at NYU and a noted media historian—puts forth a bold proposal for the future of the profession: wisdom journalism. In an age where information is abundant and instant, he argues the journalist’s role is no longer just to report. It is to interpret, to analyse, and to help the public make sense of the world.

Stephens proposes moving away from the traditional “5Ws” framework towards a new standard based on what he calls the “5Is”: informed, intelligent, interpretive, insightful and illuminating. This shift calls for deeper, more nuanced storytelling that reaches into the layers of context and social complexity. Alongside a sweeping look at the history of journalism from Benjamin Franklin to the digital era, the book urges the profession to rise above the noise and act as a compass in the storm of modern media.

This vision arrives at a timely moment for Vietnamese journalism. Too often, young reporters get swept up in fast-breaking stories, losing sight of the skills that shape great journalism: investigation, observation, analysis. Stephens’s book offers both a quiet rebuke and an uplifting call to action: to preserve the craft, and the art, of storytelling through language.

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With over 366 pages of essential insights, Mobile and Social Media Journalism by Anthony Adornato, professor at Syracuse University and Fulbright Scholar, delivers a hands-on guide for the next generation of journalists. In its second edition (2021), the book offers step-by-step instruction on everything from using smartphones to gather news, building a personal brand on social media, to livestreaming from the field, verifying content, and identifying misinformation.

Each chapter features checklists, exercises, and “Newsroom Q&As” with top anchors such as David Muir (ABC) and Hallie Jackson (NBC), grounding the theory in practical, real-world context. But above all, the book emphasises that speed and reach must never come at the expense of truth. Verification and accuracy, Adornato insists, remain the bedrock of journalism, even when powered by a mobile phone or driven by social media metrics.

As Vietnam celebrates 100 years of revolutionary journalism, this book serves as a practical roadmap for shaping the profession’s future. Today’s journalist is no longer just a messenger: they are a guide, a connector, and a source of inspiration, navigating stories across every platform.

Uncle Ho and the Vietnamese Revolutionary Press is a work of enduring historical and theoretical value. It traces President Ho Chi Minh’s deep connection with journalism, from his earliest writings to his enduring influence today. This collection brings together his articles and reflections, underpinned by his sharp intellect and unwavering sense of responsibility to the revolutionary cause.

President Ho Chi Minh not only established major publications such as Thanh Nien, Cuu Quoc, Viet Nam Doc Lap, and Nhan Dan, he also contributed more than 2,000 articles, writing under over 170 pen names in various languages. His lifelong dedication to journalism became a cornerstone of Vietnam’s revolutionary press, both a driving force and a boundless source of inspiration.

Reading Uncle Ho and the Vietnamese Revolutionary Press, one is reminded of his foundational views on journalism: “Press cadres are also revolutionary soldiers. Pens and paper are their sharp weapons.” For Uncle Ho, journalism must be concise, accessible, grounded in the truth, and firmly aligned with the people it serves. Through vivid examples of his reporting style, transparent, close to the people, and rooted in action, the book offers not only historical insight but enduring guidance for journalists of today and tomorrow.

In all its forms, news remains the essential link between the press and the public. That’s why News and How to Use It by Alan Rusbridger, former Editor-in-Chief of The Guardian (1995–2015)—stands out as a comprehensive A–Z guide. The book unpacks the key principles of contemporary journalism and equips readers with the tools to navigate today’s disorienting wave of misinformation.

Rusbridger walks readers through how to assess headlines, verify accuracy, navigate hyperlinks, and decode the behaviour of the so-called Zoomer generation. He also addresses more difficult questions about censorship, economic pressure, and the influence of media ownership on editorial content with an unflinching honesty.

Rather than adopting a conventional format, the book is structured as a series of succinct essays, interwoven with Rusbridger’s reflections on landmark investigations from the phone-hacking scandal to the Snowden revelations. These insights illuminate the inner workings of journalism, with all its tension, urgency, and deep-seated belief in the pursuit of truth.

International readers and media observers have hailed the book as “smart, relevant and incisive… a light in the dark.” In many ways, News and How to Use It is more than a manual: it is a reminder that, if we are to continue holding “the pen as a weapon”, we must understand how news is created, how it is consumed, and how its value is judged.

For over a century, Vietnam’s revolutionary press has stood witness to the country’s triumphs and trials, documenting each chapter of national history. As we enter a new era, journalism becomes not just a craft of language, but one guided by technology where ideals must remain steadfast amid shifting commercial pressures. Today’s journalist is both a trailblazer on the frontlines of information and a storyteller who shapes the voice of the times.

In this light, books on journalism are not merely collections of theories or techniques. They are sparks, lighting the way for those who write. To read is to remember why we chose this path. It teaches us how to remain grounded amid the din of noise. It gives us the strength to keep telling stories through words, images, video and data. But above all, it reminds us to do so with a heart anchored in truth and a faith in what is good.

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