Artist's responsibility in the digital cultural environment

Artists have a significant influence on the public, contributing to shaping tastes, lifestyles, and culture. Therefore, when they inadvertently or intentionally associate their names and artistic works with misconduct, it is no longer a private matter.

The Five Tiger Generals group sparks controversy with music video featuring imagery related to gambling websites.

A "bridge" for vice?

“Before agreeing to advertise, we need to know what the website is about. How can you say you don't know now?! How can you be so careless?”; “Everyone knows except these five guys, how ridiculous! Artists are becoming more and more blatant in their advertising…” Many comments from viewers directly confronted the singers of the Five Tiger Generals group – the band that made the music video “Brothers as One Before and After.”

Previously, singers including Ung Hoang Phuc, Khanh Phuong, Lam Chan Huy, Duong Ngoc Thai, and Luu Hung formed a band called Ngu Ho Tuong (Five Generals) and released their debut music video, Anh Em Truoc Sau Nhu Mot (Brothers as One Before and After). Immediately, viewers discovered that the music video contained many images related to a gambling website.

What's even more concerning is that instead of admitting their mistakes, those involved tried to cover up their wrongdoings. Khanh Phuong blamed the production team, claiming it was just an oversight and a failure to double-check. Ung Hoang Phuc quietly replaced the website logo on his personal social media page with a new music video that didn't feature the gambling website and denied any involvement in the advertisement… Given the seriousness of the matter, the Ho Chi Minh City Police Department has directed the Cyber ​​Security and High-Tech Crime Prevention Department (PA05) to investigate, clarify, and handle the case according to regulations.

According to lawyer Ngo Viet Bac, Head of Saigon Tay Nguyen Law Office, Ho Chi Minh City Bar Association, "organizing gambling" does not necessarily require specific gambling activities, but only the creation of conditions and means (such as advertising, links, interfaces, etc.) for others to participate. Advertising gambling can be a crucial link in such organization. The police will investigate and determine whether the artists intentionally colluded, conspired, or directly shared profits from the gambling operator to "assist" the ring.

If they are found guilty, they will be prosecuted for the crime of "organizing gambling or betting" as stipulated in Article 322 of the 2015 Penal Code. If not, they will be dealt with at the level of administrative violations. "The law does not discriminate or show favoritism to violations committed by famous or non-famous people," lawyer Ngo Viet Bac emphasized.

Prioritize standards above all else.

In recent days, many artists have been called out by netizens, suspected of engaging in disguised advertising, as images and past performances of theirs have been "resurfaced," showing some degree of connection to gambling websites and bookmakers – activities strictly prohibited by Vietnamese law. Artists like Thieu Bao Tram, Ho Quang Hieu, Chau Khai Phong, Lam Chan Huy, Pham Truong, Blacka… have publicly clarified the situation, some have remained silent, while many others have simply shrugged it off, saying it was... a thing of the past.

Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Khanh Hong, Deputy Head of Department PA05, Ho Chi Minh City Police, affirmed that the law clearly stipulates violations related to gambling and advertising gambling. When participating in events abroad, artists will be held responsible according to the laws of the host country. However, after the event ends, if artists use media products to post content that shows signs of advertising gambling activities or organizing gambling on accounts such as Facebook, Zalo, etc., targeting Vietnamese audiences, they will be prosecuted according to the law.

"Artists and celebrities with large followings have a responsibility to research and understand the content and events they participate in, avoiding intentionally or unintentionally contributing to social ills, bad trends, or violations of the law," Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Khanh Hong advised.

In the context of harmful content and disguised advertising increasingly infiltrating cultural and artistic products, incidents like the one above affect the reputation of artists and raise serious questions about the awareness of legal compliance and social responsibility of those in the arts. This is a major lesson for artists, management teams, event organizers, etc., about the need to prioritize ethical standards and community interests above all else in order to work together to build a civilized digital environment.

The PA05 unit of the Ho Chi Minh City Police Department has issued a warning about disguised gambling advertising. Common gambling advertising tactics include: creating multi-themed social media pages and incorporating gambling-related symbols and images; using the influence of celebrities, artists, and KOLs for advertising; and encouraging participation with attractive rewards and gifts.

TIEU TAN

Source: https://www.sggp.org.vn/trach-nhiem-nghe-si-trong-moi-truong-van-hoa-so-post815292.html