KOLs and KOCs lack legal knowledge: Warning from management agencies

(Dan Tri) - Director Le Quang Tu Do said that many KOLs and KOCs do not fully understand the law despite their great influence. The authorities affirmed that they will both support and tighten the responsibilities of content creators.

“Many KOLs and KOCs still lack legal knowledge,” Director of the Department of Radio, Television and Electronic Information Le Quang Tu Do emphasized at the Vietnam Digital Content Creation Festival (Vietnam iContent 2025) held on November 29 in Ho Chi Minh City.

KOL (Key Opinion Leader) are people with great influence in the community such as artists, experts, celebrities. Meanwhile, KOC (Key Opinion Consumer) are influential consumers, specializing in product reviews and directly influencing users' purchasing decisions.

Sharing about the cases of creators getting into trouble with the law recently, Mr. Le Quang Tu Do said that the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism's viewpoint is to create conditions for the content creation ecosystem to develop, but that comes with the requirement of social responsibility.

“Each product can reach millions of people. The greater the influence, the greater the responsibility. A single inappropriate statement can have consequences for the community,” he said.

According to the Director, the “restrictive” measures recently issued by the Ministry are not intended to “ban the airwaves” but are meant to be a reminder, creating time for individuals to reconsider their behavior. “That is not the end of their careers,” Mr. Tu Do affirmed.

In parallel with support, the Ministry also applies deterrent sanctions to individuals who repeatedly violate the law, and can even prosecute them if the level is serious. He hopes that the cases that have been handled will be a lesson for the whole industry, helping KOLs and KOCs understand the law correctly and create responsibly.

Mr. Le Quang Tu Do - Director of the Department of Radio, Television and Electronic Information (Photo: Vietnam iContent 2025 Organizing Committee).

Mr. Tu Do said that in the context of a rapidly changing digital environment, even management agencies must continuously update their knowledge and technology to keep up with new trends.

The Director also emphasized the responsibility of platforms such as Facebook, YouTube and TikTok in coordinating the dissemination of legal knowledge, building filters and warning mechanisms for violating content.

Finally, he affirmed that state management agencies must proactively apply technology in supervision, while maintaining regular connections with the creative community to promptly provide information, media orientation and raise legal awareness for KOLs and KOCs.

Regarding support policies for digital content creators, Permanent Deputy Minister Le Hai Binh said that the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism is focusing on four major orientations.

Firstly, perfecting the legal corridor through Resolution 173, the Advertising Law and related documents, to create a safe operating environment for the creative community.

Second, the Ministry is committed to accompanying creators to meet the two criteria of “correct” and “accurate” – that is, in accordance with the law and in line with trends and user psychology. In the context of the legal framework for digital life in the world still being completed, the Ministry calls on the community to discover and reflect legal gaps.

Third, provide accurate information sources and reliable data for creators to develop their capabilities.

Fourth, strengthen the connection not only between the creative community and management agencies, but also aim to build a healthy digital ecosystem, bring good values ​​and create a unique identity for Vietnamese creativity.

Regarding concerns about attracting viewers while maintaining standards, Deputy Minister Le Hai Binh emphasized that the root of creativity lies in human values.

“What touches the audience is not the techniques or tricks, but what comes from the heart. Creators need kindness, pride in their country and roots, and a desire to create. If they maintain these three elements, the content will naturally spread,” he said.

The Deputy Minister affirmed that the management agency is ready to accompany creators through five support directions: Value orientation; providing official information; organizing training; creating an exchange environment; and ensuring content complies with the law.

Source: https://dantri.com.vn/kinh-doanh/kol-koc-thieu-hieu-biet-phap-luat-canh-bao-tu-co-quan-quan-ly-20251130130746788.htm