Thanh Van Hugo will be fined for 'excessive advertising'

At the regular meeting of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism on the afternoon of April 21 in Hanoi, Ms. Nguyen Thi Thanh Huyen, Deputy Director of the Department of Radio and Television, said that she had worked with Van Hugo about advertising the incorrect uses of a type of milk.

"She said the advertisement was based on her personal experience after giving it to her son. However, once advertised, it can be applied to other cases. There is no document proving that this type of milk helps children grow 3-5 cm taller in four to six months," Ms. Huyen said.

Thanh Van Hugo violated regulations related to misleading advertising about product quality, according to Clause 5, Article 34, Decree No. 38/2021, the expected fine is 70 million VND.

In addition to the case of actress Thanh Van Hugo, the authorities also said that they will fine MC Quang Minh 37.5 million VND for two acts: Advertising inconsistent with one of the prescribed documents, violating Point a, Clause 2 and advertising using the name of a doctor, violating the provisions of Point a, Clause 4, Article 52 of Decree 38/2021.

Actress, MC Thanh Van Hugo. Photo: Facebook Nguyen Thanh Van

Ms. Thanh Huyen said that when celebrities accept advertisements, they need to thoroughly "review related documents. Artists and stars must check the script to see if the words go beyond the product's uses, features, and ingredients."

At the meeting, Mr. Le Quang Tu Do - Director of the Department of Radio, Television and Electronic Information - said it was "heartbreaking" to work with some celebrities involved in false advertising. According to him, the recent arrest of Quang Linh Vlogs is a "wake-up call" to artists in general.

He stated: "Many artists tend to alter the assigned content, adding many details that are not in the original content, and even making exaggerated statements. For example, if told about their outstanding height, they may add specific numbers without any basis. In addition, it is misleading to base advertising on personal experience and assert that it is true for everyone."

The authorities also reminded artists to improve their legal knowledge about advertising issues, to be careful when signing documents, accepting contracts, and negotiating forms of cooperation: "Artists are often paid by companies in shares, stocks, or capital. At that time, they inadvertently become co-producers and may be held criminally responsible if the product is found to be counterfeit."

Artist Xuan Bac - Director of the Department of Performing Arts - said that the unit has no sanctions to punish artists who violate the issued Code of Conduct. However, these people will be held legally responsible if they do wrong. "Decree No. 38/2021 of the Government stipulates administrative sanctions in the fields of culture and advertising. Whoever makes a mistake will be punished there. If they commit fraud, sell counterfeit goods, or violate larger frameworks, artists will be held criminally responsible," said Mr. Bac.

The Ministry of Public Security recently dismantled a ring that produced and sold 573 brands of fake milk powder. From this incident, a number of artists attracted the attention of the audience when participating in advertising products, including milk brands.

On April 16, actor Doan Quoc Dam apologized for introducing a milk brand that was allegedly produced by one of two companies in the group that produces fake milk. He said that at the time of filming the advertisement, the company provided full inspection documents. He only spoke according to the brand's script, not calling for the purchase and use of the product.

In early April, Miss Thuy Tien was also fined 25 million VND and temporarily suspended from leaving the country for providing information about Kera vegetable candy products. Many artists such as Hong Van and Cat Tuong had to apologize in the past for excessively advertising functional foods.

Source: https://baoquangninh.vn/thanh-van-hugo-se-bi-phat-vi-quang-cao-lo-3354476.html