BTV Quang Minh and MC Van Hugo may be fined more than 100 million VND for falsely advertising milk.

Mr. Le Quang Tu Do speaks at the regular press conference of the first quarter of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism. Photo: HL

In response to reporters' questions about advertising violations, especially false advertising activities involving celebrities and KOLs, Director of the Department of Performing Arts - People's Artist Xuan Bac said that not only artists but also any citizen must comply with the provisions of the law. Currently, there are regulations regulating behavior in advertising activities, typically Decree 38/2021/ND-CP regulating administrative sanctions in the fields of culture and advertising.

"Whether it's an artist, KOL or anyone else, if they violate advertising regulations, they will be punished according to regulations," said People's Artist Xuan Bac.

Also on this issue, Director of the Department of Radio, Television and Electronic Information Le Quang Tu Do said: Currently, many artists and KOLs still lack awareness about product advertising. Many people sign advertising contracts without checking the quality or origin of the product, even being the representative face or contributing capital to production, leading to violations of the law - as in the case of Kera candy advertising. Many KOLs also advertise exaggerated product uses, using personal experiences to "exaggerate" product functions, as in the recent Hiup milk advertisement.

Editor Quang Minh and MC Van Hugo could be fined more than 100 million VND for advertising milk with exaggerated effects. Photo: MH

“The product only claims to support height growth, but the artist advertises that after only 3-5 months, the height will increase by 5-10 cm. That is an exaggerated and incorrect advertisement,” Mr. Le Quang Tu Do emphasized.

He also added that the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism has issued a Code of Conduct for artists, however, this code is only for guidance and does not have any sanctions when artists violate professional ethics. Currently, the regulations on penalties for advertising apply to all citizens, regardless of whether they are celebrities or artists. If we want to penalize artists in their behavior and image, we need to institutionalize it with specific regulations.

However, Mr. Le Quang Tu Do said that the Government has issued Decree 147/2024/ND-CP on the management, provision and use of Internet services and online information. This includes regulations on handling violations when using the Internet - which will be applied to handle cases of advertising violations on social networks. The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism is submitting to the National Assembly for comments on the amended and supplemented Advertising Law, with more specific content. This will be the basis for effective management of advertising activities and have separate sanctions for each violator.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Thanh Huyen, Deputy Director of the Department of Radio, Television and Electronic Information. Photo: VN

Regarding the handling of advertising violations that have been clarified in the past, Ms. Nguyen Thi Thanh Huyen, Deputy Director of the Department of Radio, Television and Electronic Information, said that after the working session on April 18, the Department of Radio, Television and Electronic Information had drawn up a working record and a handling record. The expected fine for editor Quang Minh is 37.5 million VND, including 2 violations: Advertising inconsistent with the prescribed documents (Point A, Clause 2, Article 52, Decree 38/2021/ND-CP) and using the name of a doctor in advertising (Point A, Clause 4, Article 52).

For MC Van Hugo, the violation was determined to be causing confusion about product quality and uses, according to Clause 5, Article 34, Decree 38/2021/ND-CP, with an expected fine of 70 million VND.

At the regular press conference for the first quarter of 2025, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism also clarified more information related to the use of My Dinh National Stadium; heritage management, relic conservation, etc.

Some outstanding activities of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism in the first 3 months of 2025

- Cultural field: At the Vietnam Ethnic Culture and Tourism Village: Organize monthly cultural and tourism events. The number of visitors in the first quarter of 2025 is estimated at 140,000.

Cinema activities: Survey in Bac Giang on the organization of the 25th Vietnam Film Festival (2027); prepare for the Film Week to celebrate the 135th birthday of President Ho Chi Minh (May 2025); organize a film program with the Consulate General of Thailand, the Embassy of Peru, the 15th Francophone Film Festival; attend the Hong Kong Film Market and Hong Kong International Television 2025

- Tourism sector: Participate in international tourism fairs; launch promotional videos on YouTube with the theme: "Vietnam: Go To Love!". In the first quarter of 2025, the number of international visitors reached over 6 million (the highest ever). Domestic visitors reached 35.5 million. Total revenue from tourism: Estimated at 242,000 billion VND

- Sports: Prepare disabled athletes to participate in the Southeast Asian Para Games in Thailand; organize 23 national sports tournaments and 2 training courses for referees and sports coaches.

Source: https://hanoimoi.vn/btv-quang-minh-va-mc-van-hugo-co-the-bi-xu-phat-hon-100-trieu-dong-vi-quang-cao-sua-sai-su-that-699843.html