Applying blockchain in journalism Embracing an inevitable trend

More than just a means of protecting content, verifying sources, and optimising newsroom management, blockchain technology, alongside artificial intelligence (AI), is accelerating the digital transformation of newsrooms in the digital era.

Technology possesses many breakthrough properties

In reality, blockchain is a distributed database system built on the principle of decentralisation, meaning that data is not stored on a central server but is instead distributed across multiple nodes within a network. A node refers to a device (typically a computer) participating in the blockchain network that stores a partial or full copy of the entire chain.

The blockchain has five core characteristics. The first is transparency: data on the blockchain can be publicly verified but cannot be altered once recorded. The second is security: data is encrypted using complex algorithms and can only be accessed by authorised parties. The third is decentralisation: data is not dependent on a central server, reducing the risk of attacks or manipulation. The fourth is immutability: once data is recorded on the blockchain, it cannot be modified or deleted. The last is enhanced efficiency: blockchain technology can help users save time and reduce costs by automating processes and providing a new way to exchange information.

Since 2016, the global media industry has gradually explored the use of blockchain in various forms: from fully decentralised platforms like Steemit to semi-decentralised ecosystems such as PressCoin and private chain models like Civil, where reporters, editors, and photographers can contribute to content creation free from the influence of advertising or fake news.

Driving digital transformation in press

According to Dr. Dang Minh Tuan, President of the Viet Nam Blockchain Union and Director of CMC Institute of Research (under the Posts and Telecommunications Institute of Technology), blockchain has been being applied in press activities in several ways. Firstly, regarding content verification, blockchain can validate and safeguard the integrity of journalistic content, increasing the trust of the audience and partners in its accuracy and reliability. The second aspect is ownership management: by recording information about authorship, creation date, publication date, and rights on the blockchain, newsrooms can protect journalists’ rights, prevent copyright violations, and avoid disputes. In terms of advertising transactions, blockchain enables secure and transparent mechanisms for managing advertising deals, including tracking and verifying transactions, ensuring transparency, and preventing fraud. For content distribution and marketing, the press agencies can monitor distribution and marketing processes transparently, minimising fraud and providing trustworthy data to advertisers and partners.

Several blockchain-based technologies are already being applied in journalism, contributing to the digital transformation of media operations. These include NFTs (Non-Fungible Tokens), smart contracts, and blockchain-based social ecosystems (Web3).

Specifically, the application of NFTs in newsrooms can be reflected in the following aspects: content and digital copyright — interested readers can collect these NFTs and, in doing so, own a part of the newsroom’s history and content; collaboration with artists and authors — press agencies can partner with artists, writers, and illustrators to issue exclusive NFTs based on their works; and restricted content access — newsrooms can use NFTs to create exclusive versions of content that can only be accessed by owning the corresponding NFT, opening new business models and encouraging readers to purchase NFTs to access high-quality journalism.

By applying smart contracts, newsrooms can automate the execution of agreements once predefined conditions are met, eliminating the need for human intervention. Specifically, smart contracts can be used for: managing editorial workflows; ensuring the integrity of published content; copyright management; and automating the verification, execution, and payment processes for advertising transactions. This helps to reduce third-party involvement and ensure transparency.

The application of Web3 in newsrooms is reflected in several areas: decentralised content distribution; verification of content and its origin; intellectual property rights management; and point-based reward or promotion systems. Blockchain technology also enables a secure and reliable environment for transactions, especially for payment systems and membership management.

“If adopted, blockchain-based solutions will immediately transform the operations and workflows of newsrooms, thereby accelerating the digital transformation of Vietnam’s journalism,” affirmed Dr. Dang Minh Tuan, President of the Viet Nam Blockchain Union and Director of the CMC Research Institute.

Affirming position in modern media landscape

Echoing the views of Dr. Dang Minh Tuan on applying technology to digital newsroom management, Le Quoc Minh, Member of the Party Central Committee (PCC), Editor-in-Chief of Nhan Dan Newspaper, Deputy Head of the PCC’s Commission for Communications, Education and Mass Mobilisation, and Chairman of the Vietnam Journalists’ Association, stated that AI and blockchain are technologies with a profound impact on today’s journalism and communications landscape.

However, in practice, the application of blockchain technology in the media industry faces several key barriers. The first is legal challenges: there is currently no clear regulatory framework, particularly regarding the use of blockchain in journalism. Second, is technological compatibility: news content often deals with a wide range of complex topics and reporting styles, some of which are emotional or subjective in nature. As a result, there may be scenarios beyond the current capabilities of blockchain to manage effectively. Third is the user adoption, technical limitations, and cost. The application of blockchain in newsrooms requires significant investment in infrastructure and workforce training, which not all Vietnamese news organisations are currently equipped to handle.

Le Quoc Minh noted that the Politburo’s Resolution No. 57-NQ/TW, which focuses on breakthroughs in science, technology, innovation, and national digital transformation, provides a fundamental policy framework that will accelerate the integration of technology into journalism. This will fuel substantial innovation in the sector and lay the groundwork for mainstream media to maintain its guiding role in shaping public discourse.

He affirmed that the application of blockchain in Vietnamese journalism activities is an inevitable trend in the digital age. Media organisations must swiftly embrace this trend to enhance their competitiveness and assert their position in the evolving modern media environment.

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